Vandyke Upper School

Secondary
Academy
Ages 13 to 18

Ofsted: Good

Vandyke Road, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 3DYOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Vandyke Upper School is a secondary school in Leighton Buzzard for ages 13 to 18. It is one of the 134 schools in Central Bedfordshire. It ranks 2nd of 2 secondary schools in Leighton Buzzard. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in March 2015.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 10 March 2015, report published 16 April 2015

Overall effectiveness: Good
Leadership and management: Good
Sixth form provision: Good

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

352 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score48.2

48.2, 2.1 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths48%

48%, 2.6 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths71%

71%, 6.2 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc24.7%

24.7%, 15.8 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.16

4.16, 0.07 above the England average of 4.09.

A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25

200 students

Average point score per A level entry34.96

34.96, 0.04 below the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade C+, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

1,517 pupils on roll, with places for 1,440

Eligible for free school meals14.2%

14.2%, 12.3 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language6.9%

6.9%, 14.7 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support11.9%

11.9%, 2.9 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4.6%

4.6%, 1.4 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Vandyke Upper School

School	Distance	Ofsted	Results
Cedars Upper School	2 miles	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 48.5
The Cottesloe School	4 miles	Report card: Expected standard to strong standard	Attainment 8: 45.4
Lift Sir Herbert Leon	5 miles	Ofsted judgements: Good	Attainment 8: 33.7
All Saints Academy Dunstable	5 miles	Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to outstanding	Attainment 8: 36.9
Queensbury Academy	6 miles	Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good	Attainment 8: 40.0

School details

School type: Academy converter
Sector: Academy
Trust: VANDYKE UPPER SCHOOL
Age range: 13 to 18
Gender: Mixed
Sixth form: Yes
Headteacher: Mrs Leah Ferguson-Moore
Phone: 01525636700
Website: vandyke.beds.sch.uk (opens in a new tab)
Address: Vandyke Road, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 3DY
Local authority: Central Bedfordshire
URN: 137169

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.