Vandyke Upper School
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
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 23 January 2024
Pupils at Vandyke are proud and articulate ambassadors for their school. They enjoy learning and achieve well. They thrive as a result of the school's ambition for all pupils to become 'world ready citizens'. This includes pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils are confident, courteous and aspirational. They behave well and move around the school calmly. They respect themselves and others and keep the school environment remarkably free of litter. They feel safe. The voice of the pupils is influential. Pupils are articulate and express their opinions maturely. They ensure that the school council is an effective forum for bringing about change. Pupils and students in all years participate fully in the rich and varied opportunities to develop and stretch their talents and interests. Nearly a quarter of all pupils take part in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme. They are actively involved in charity and fundraising events, including 'SMILE' week. Pupils volunteer willingly in school and within the local community. For example, students in the sixth form run the Model United Nations, support younger pupils in class and help pupils in Year 9 to choose their options. Other clubs include drama and music, a 'Young Writers' Club', as well as a wide range of sports.
What the school should improve
- Teachers do not always plan effectively how to teach concepts that are difficult to understand. This means that some pupils, including pupils with SEND, struggle to keep up. The school should ensure that plans are adapted so that all pupils are able to access the ambitious curriculum successfully.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
352 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
200 students
Average A level grade C+, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,517 pupils on roll, with places for 1,440
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
- 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.