Best Secondary Schools in Bedford 2026

Ranked by Ofsted rating, exam results, attendance, and class sizes. 12 schools across Bedford. Updated with 2025–26 data.

Bedford has 12 secondary schools and a further 10 rated Good — 83% of secondary schools in Bedford are rated Good or Outstanding overall. Goldington Academy currently leads the local rankings on our composite SNM Score.

Application deadlines in Bedford follow the national calendar: 31 October for Year 7 secondary entry and 15 January for Reception primary entry. Offers go out on 1 March and 16 April respectively.

12
Total schools
0
Outstanding
0%
Outstanding rate
56.7%
Avg KS2 SATs
35.9
Avg GCSE A8
All schools Primary Secondary
Rank School Ofsted SNM Score
🥇 Goldington Academy
Secondary
 Good 70 View school
🥈 St Thomas More Catholic School
Secondary
 Good 61 View school
🥉 Bedford Academy
Secondary
 Good 56 View school
4. Castle Newnham School
Secondary
 Good 56 View school
5. Biddenham International School and Sports College
Secondary
 Good 55 View school
6. Kempston Academy
Secondary
 Good 53 View school
7. Sharnbrook Academy
Secondary
 Good 52 View school
8. Wixams Academy
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 51 View school
9. Mark Rutherford School
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 44 View school
10. Lincroft Academy
Secondary
 Good 44 View school
11. Wootton Upper School
Secondary
 Good 43 View school
12. Daubeney Academy
Secondary
 Good 36 View school

Related lists for Bedford

All schools in BedfordPrimary & secondary combined Primary schools in BedfordReception–Year 6 only

See full data for any school in Bedford

Catchment distances, exam trends, SEN data, attendance, and more — all in one place.

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Frequently asked questions

How many secondary schools are there in Bedford?
There are 12 secondary schools in Bedford, of which 0 (0%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
What are the best schools in Bedford?
Based on our composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance and class sizes, the top school in Bedford is Goldington Academy. See the full ranked list above.
How do I apply for a school place in Bedford?
Primary and secondary school applications in Bedford are managed by the Local Authority. Applications for secondary places typically open in September for the following academic year. Visit the Bedford council website for application forms and deadlines.
What is the average Ofsted rating in Bedford?
0% of secondary schools in Bedford are rated Outstanding and 83% are rated Good. 69% are rated Good or Outstanding.

Data sourced from Ofsted, Department for Education, and ISI. School rankings reflect the Schools Near Me composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance, and pupil-teacher ratios. Last updated April 2026.