What is Bedford Free School's Ofsted rating?

Bedford Free School received a Outstanding rating from Ofsted following its 2020 inspection.

What do parents say about Bedford Free School?

Ofsted Parent View (Sept 2025, 91 responses): 70% of parents would recommend Bedford Free School.

What are Bedford Free School's latest exam results?

Bedford Free School: GCSE 2024/25: Attainment 8 46.1. Check the source and academic year shown with each result.

Where is Bedford Free School located?

Bedford Free School is a secondary school in Bedford, Bedford (MK42 9AD).

How many pupils attend Bedford Free School?

Bedford Free School has around 525 pupils on roll according to the latest school census data.

How can I compare Bedford Free School with other schools?

View Bedford Free School's full profile on FavSchools for available results and school details, then use the comparison tool or interactive map to explore nearby alternatives in Bedford.

SecondaryData as of May 2026

Bedford Free School

Cauldwell Street, Bedford, MK42 9AD

Free schools · Ages 11–16 · Non-selective · Mixed

Ofsted

Outstanding

Jan 2020

Historical inspection outcome; read the latest report for the full findings.

Academic picture

46.1school · 46.0 national reference

Attainment 8 · 2024/25. Average GCSE points across eight subjects, not a percentage.

Why is Progress 8 unavailable?

Progress 8 is unavailable nationally for this year because the cohort's KS2 baseline tests were cancelled. This is not a negative judgement on the school.

Explore results and trends

Before you apply

Confirm entry-year admission rules, places and selection requirements with the school or local authority.

Exam Results

Official performance data from the Department for Education

GCSE Results (Secondary)

Key performance measures— 2024/25

Attainment 8

46.1

Progress 8?

N/A

9-7 Grades

20.2%

Basics 9-5

36.1%

Exam attainment

Attainment 8 · GCSE points across eight subjects, not a percentage or a measure of progress.

School · 2024/25

46.1

National · same year

46.0

SchoolNational reference

View data by year

Attainment 8 values by academic year
Year	School	National
2022/23	51.0	46.4
2023/24	52.7	46.4
2024/25	46.1	46.0

Learning progress

Progress 8 · Progress compared with pupils who had similar prior attainment. Zero is the national progress baseline.

School · 2024/25

Not available

National · same year

Not available

SchoolNational reference

View data by year

Progress 8 values by academic year
Year	School	National
2022/23	+0.99	0.00
2023/24	+1.11	0.00
2024/25	Not available	Not available

Progress 8 is unavailable for 2024/25 because the cohort's KS2 baseline tests were cancelled nationally. Missing values are not zero.

Grades at or above each threshold

These percentages overlap: grades 9–7 are also included in 9–5 and 9–4. Do not add the lines together.

9–7% / 9–5% / 9–4% available from 2023/24; no grade breakdown for 2022/23

EBacc Measures

EBacc Entry

88.7%

EBacc APS

4.46

EBacc 9-5

22.7%

EBacc 9-4

40.2%

How to read Progress 8 vs Attainment 8Two numbers, two different stories. The 6-min explainer for parents.

Community & Reviews

What parents say and who teaches here

Location & Area

Explore the neighbourhood around the school

Data shown for guidance only · confirm details with the school before applying

Nearby secondary schools

Closest alternatives within 15 km.

Bedford College

0.12 km away · Further education

Bedford Girls' School

0.38 km away · Other independent school

Bedford School

1.03 km away · Other independent school

St John's School

1.28 km away · Academy special converter

Good

Bedford Academy

1.8 km away · Academy sponsor led

Good

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