Best Secondary Schools in Central Bedfordshire 2026

Ranked by Ofsted rating, exam results, attendance, and class sizes. 14 schools across Central Bedfordshire. Updated with 2025–26 data.

Central Bedfordshire has 14 secondary schools and a further 10 rated Good — 71% of secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire are rated Good or Outstanding overall. Cedars Upper School currently leads the local rankings on our composite SNM Score.

Application deadlines in Central Bedfordshire 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.

14
Total schools
0
Outstanding
0%
Outstanding rate
52.8%
Avg KS2 SATs
42.6
Avg GCSE A8
All schools Primary Secondary
Rank School Ofsted SNM Score
🥇 Cedars Upper School
Secondary
 Good 63 View school
🥈 Vandyke Upper School
Secondary
 Good 63 View school
🥉 Harlington Upper School
Secondary
 Good 62 View school
4. Samuel Whitbread Academy
Secondary
 Good 61 View school
5. Redborne Upper School and Community College
Secondary
 Good 61 View school
6. Manshead Church of England Academy
Secondary
 Good 56 View school
7. Houstone School
Secondary
 — 45 View school
8. Fulbrook School
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 41 View school
9. Henlow Church of England Academy
Secondary
 Good 41 View school
10. Sandy Secondary School
Secondary
 Good 39 View school
11. Queensbury Academy
Secondary
 Good 37 View school
12. Stratton School
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 36 View school
13. All Saints Academy Dunstable
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 33 View school
14. Edward Peake CofE VC School
Secondary
 Good 27 View school

Related lists for Central Bedfordshire

All schools in Central BedfordshirePrimary & secondary combined Primary schools in Central BedfordshireReception–Year 6 only

See full data for any school in Central Bedfordshire

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 Central Bedfordshire?
There are 14 secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire, of which 0 (0%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
What are the best schools in Central Bedfordshire?
Based on our composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance and class sizes, the top school in Central Bedfordshire is Cedars Upper School. See the full ranked list above.
How do I apply for a school place in Central Bedfordshire?
Primary and secondary school applications in Central Bedfordshire are managed by the Local Authority. Applications for secondary places typically open in September for the following academic year. Visit the Central Bedfordshire council website for application forms and deadlines.
What is the average Ofsted rating in Central Bedfordshire?
0% of secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire are rated Outstanding and 71% are rated Good. 82.2% 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.