Samuel Whitbread Academy
Shefford Road, Clifton, Shefford, SG17 5QSOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Samuel Whitbread Academy is a secondary school in Shefford for ages 13 to 18. It is one of the 134 schools in Central Bedfordshire. It ranks 5th of 14 secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in October 2017.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 31 October 2017, report published 11 December 2017
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 2 March 2023
Pupils are happy at this school. They appreciate the range of academic and wider opportunities that are available to them. Members of the school community are proud of the school's involvement in sport and the arts. While many pupils represent the school in these areas at a high level, all pupils have the chance to participate in these at some level. Pupils are keen to be part of extra-curricular activities. Leaders and teachers have high expectations for pupils, including students in the sixth form and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Teachers help pupils meet these expectations. Pupils appreciate the range of subjects they can study and consider this a strength of the school. Pupils feel safe in school. Bullying is rare and is resolved quickly if it does happen. If pupils are worried about something, they have staff who they can talk to and will receive the help that they need. Pupils' behaviour is positive in lessons and around the school site. Leaders recognised that some pupils needed extra help to get back into routines following the COVID-19 pandemic. They have established new expectations and implemented new policies to help pupils with this.
What the school should improve
- In a small number of subjects, the quality of teaching is inconsistent. In these subjects, teachers do not regularly check what pupils have learned or address pupils' misconceptions. This means that pupils carry these errors through into their work and can find subsequent learning more difficult. Leaders should ensure that teachers routinely check what pupils have learned and address misconceptions.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
396 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
181 students
Average A level grade B-, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,657 pupils on roll, with places for 1,650
Schools near Samuel Whitbread Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Henlow Church of England Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | Attainment 8: 42.7 |
| Stratton School | 4 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | Attainment 8: 38.9 |
| Edward Peake CofE VC School | 5 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | 4% met the expected standard |
| Fearnhill School | 5 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | Attainment 8: 38.9 |
| The Priory School | 5 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 48.5 |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- BEDFORDSHIRE SCHOOLS TRUST LIMITED
- Age range
- 13 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr Nicholas Martin
- Phone
- 01462629900
- Address
- Shefford Road, Clifton, Shefford, SG17 5QS
- Local authority
- Central Bedfordshire
- URN
- 137948
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.