State School
#3 in Best Secondary Schools in Bedford
Bedford Free School
Work here? Claim your school for free
Bedford Free School
- Secondary
- Bedford MK42 9AD
1 schools in compare list
Ofsted report
Update report
| The quality of education | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Previous inspection grade | Good |
Historical Ofsted reports
Contact
Suggest an edit
Bedford Free School is a top rated, Secondary, Co-Ed school located in Bedfordshire, East of England.
It has 508 students from age 11-16 yr with a student-teacher ratio of 15 : 1.
This school rated Outstanding by recent Ofsted inspection.
Distance calculator
Simply click on 'Detect My Location' to find out the distance from your current location to the school.
Bedford Free School
Nearby Schools in Your Area
From the Bedford Free School
Bedford Free School is a public school founded in 2012 by educators, families, and other community members. The founders were adamant about changing the educational scene for the better. We still demonstrate that tenacity in all we do. Like all public institutions, Bedford Free School accepts students of all income and academic ability. We submit our students for GCSEs, have Ofsted supervise and inspect us, and league tables are published with our exam results. Therefore, much like all other schools, BFS' performance is closely scrutinised to provide parents peace of mind that their kids are receiving an excellent education. But there are certain significant variations that, in our opinion, set Bedford Free School apart. Concerned parents and educators from the neighbourhood began a campaign in 2012 to change something about a Bedford and Kempston school. Smaller year groups, longer school days that fit well with contemporary family life, and a genuine dedication to getting learning right are all things parents expressed they desired for their children's education. Local residents helped establish and create Bedford Free School. Mark Lehain, the first principal (2012–2017), is a local. He sends his eldest child to BFS, and the current Executive Principal, Stuart Lock, agrees with him that if it isn't good enough for his own child, it isn't good enough.
Read more
Compare with similar schools
| Phase of Education | Secondary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Free Schools | Free Schools |
| Snobe grade |
A-
|
C-
|
| Ofset report | Outstanding | - |
| Age range | 11-16 | 11-19 |
| Gender | Co-Ed | Co-Ed |
|---|---|---|
| Student teacher ratio | 15.7 | 16.8 |
| Proficient Math | - | - |
| Proficient Read | - | - |
| Grade 5 or above GCSE | - | - |
| Grade 5 or above A Level | - | - |
| Day Fees | - | - |
Secondary Exam Result
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 Secondary school exam
results were not published at school level.
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | 0.89 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 54.6 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 56% | 27.95% | 32.7% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 81% | 43.41% | 45.2% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 92% | 21.95% | 24.8% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 47% | 9.86% | 12.93% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 65% | 13.64% | 17.08% |
| EBacc average points score | 5.26 | 2.74 | 2.96 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 95% | 88.33% | 90.41% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 97 | 129 | 140 |
| Pupils staying in education | 94% | 86.07% | 86.28% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 56% | 41.6% | 34.06% |
| School sixth forms | 32% | 34.4% | 30.68% |
| Sixth form colleges | 3% | 0.2% | 10.44% |
| Other education destinations | 3% | 10% | 11.12% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 0% | 0.93% | 1.99% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 1% | 1.2% | 2.15% |
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 Secondary school exam
results were not published at school level.
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 Secondary school exam
results were not published at school level.
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | 0.8 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 48.8 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 42% 1 | 15.29% | 29.2% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 63% 1 | 27.67% | 43.33% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 84% | 13% | 25.71% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 35% 7 | 5.24% | 11.41% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 50% 5 | 7.67% | 16.42% |
| EBacc average points score | 4.82 | 2.01 | 2.88 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 89% | 85.25% | 90.21% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 97 | 151 | 135 |
| Pupils staying in education | 86% | 80.42% | 84.05% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 68% | 34.92% | 33.38% |
| School sixth forms | 15% | 29.08% | 31.08% |
| Sixth form colleges | 0% | 0.08% | 8.48% |
| Other education destinations | 2% | 16% | 11.14% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 0% | 2.42% | 3.4% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 3% | 2.5% | 2.77% |
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | 0.38 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 46.5 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 41% 5 | 16.9% | 29.12% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 64% 3 | 26.9% | 42.55% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 84% | 14.95% | 24.65% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 28% 6 | 5.1% | 11.25% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 45% 22 | 8.3% | 15.92% |
| EBacc average points score | 4.54 | 1.95 | 2.84 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 88% | 84.6% | 84.86% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 95 | 171 | 140 |
| Pupils staying in education | 87% | 71.4% | 73.89% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 76% | 36.2% | 28.38% |
| School sixth forms | 12% | 31.8% | 31.43% |
| Sixth form colleges | 0% | 0% | 9.11% |
| Other education destinations | 0% | 10.3% | 5.91% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | - | 2.1% | 2.97% |
| Pupils staying in employment | - | 1.4% | 2.07% |
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | 0.18 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 47.5 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 36% | 16.53% | 29.45% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 61% | 28.63% | 43.01% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 49% | 14.21% | 25.18% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 22% | 6.32% | 14.63% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 23% | 6.89% | 16.18% |
| EBacc average points score | - | - | - |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 90% | 75.2% | 85.18% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 87 | 173 | 144 |
| Pupils staying in education | 86% | 63.5% | 58.14% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 68% | 36.2% | 30.59% |
| School sixth forms | 16% | 33% | 32.04% |
| Sixth form colleges | - | 0% | 9.01% |
| Other education destinations | - | 2.3% | 5.68% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 7% | 3.8% | 4.78% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 3% | 2.3% | 2.46% |
Best Schools 2024
Bedford Free School Rankings
Snobe ranks nearly 20,000+ schools according to their exam results, teaching quality, resources & many more indicators. (How Do We Calculate Rankings?)
How Do We Calculate Rankings?
Our school rankings are meticulously determined through a rigorous process:
This meticulous process ensures our rankings provide accurate and meaningful insights for your school choices.
Admission
Holidays & terms
Holidays 2023/24
| Holidays | Date |
|---|---|
| Autumn Half Term Holidays | 23rd Oct 2023 - 30th Oct 2023 |
| Winter Holidays | 20th Dec 2023 - 3rd Jan 2024 |
| Spring Half Term Holidays | 19th Feb 2024 - 23rd Feb 2024 |
| Spring Holidays | 29th Mar 2024 - 15th Apr 2024 |
| Summer Half Term Holidays | 27th May 2024 - 31st May 2024 |
| Summer Holidays | 22nd Jul 2024 - 2nd Sep 2024 |
Terms Dates 2023/24
| Terms | Dates |
|---|---|
| Autumn Term | 4th Sep 2023 - 22nd Oct 2023 |
| Autumn Term-2 | 31st Oct 2023 - 19th Dec 2023 |
| Spring Term | 4th Jan 2024 - 18th Feb 2024 |
| Spring Term-2 | 24th Feb 2024 - 28th Mar 2024 |
| Summer Term | 16th Apr 2024 - 26th May 2024 |
| Summer Term-2 | 1st Jun 2024 - 21st Jul 2024 |
Do You Work at Bedford Free School?
Claim your school for free to update your school’s information, ofsted / ISI reports, images and more.
Claim your school todayStudents Teachers
15 : 1
Student teacher ratio at Bedford Free School
Local authority ratio 19 : 1