Overall Oxbridge
#727
10 ranked schools · -74 places vs Eng avg #653 of 1,538
Applications
120
Offers
39
Offer rate32.5%
+3.8 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 28.7%
Schools in Bedford
Granted borough status in 1166 and represented in Parliament since 1265, Bedford has grown from its river-crossing origins on the Great Ouse into Bedfordshire's county town, recording an urban population of around 167,000 at the 2021 Census. De Parys is among the most sought-after pockets for school catchments on the northern side of the town, while Cardington and Great Denham draw families competing for primary places to the south and west; Kempston and Goldington fill out the suburban ring beyond. Bedford's Italian community is among England's most established. Post-war migration to the local brick industry put down deep roots that persist across the borough today. East Midlands Railway trains from Bedford Midland reach Leicester in under an hour, linking the town to the wider East Midlands network.
74
Primary
schools
14
Secondary
schools
5
All-through
schools
2
Post-16
colleges
5
Special
schools
1
Other
schools
of which18sixth forms·20faith·2nursery schools103 total
Area Performance
Bedford schools rank in the top 59% of England
Across 89 primary, secondary and sixth-form schools, state and independent. The average Find My School Inspection Score is 7.39/10, -0.03 vs England.
Find My School Inspection Band
14% Elite
Distribution across all Bedford schools
EliteExcellentGoodDeveloping
Bedford vs England distribution
National Rank
Top 59%
Across all ranked Bedford schools
Top 64%Primaryavg #9,514 of 14,821
Top 48%Secondaryavg #1,808 of 3,803
Top 54%Sixth formavg #1,369 of 2,523
Primary schools: 55 schools (state + independent)
LocalEngland avg
Average FMS Inspection Score
7.2/10
-0.15 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.3/10
Average national rank
#9,514
-14 pts vs medianmedian 7,411
top 64% of 14,821
% reaching expected RWM standardstate
54%
-8 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 62%
% reaching higher RWM standardstate
3%
-5 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 8%
Average FMS Inspection Score
7.2/10
-0.15 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.3/10
Average national rank
#9,514
-14 pts vs medianmedian 7,411
top 64% of 14,821
% reaching expected RWM standardstate
54%
-8 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 62%
% reaching higher RWM standardstate
3%
-5 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 8%
Secondary schools: 19 schools (state + independent)
LocalEngland avg
Average FMS Inspection Score
7.8/10
+0.42 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.4/10
Average national rank
#1,808
+2 pts vs medianmedian 1,902
top 48% of 3,803
% achieving grades 9-7 (A*-A)state
72%
+16 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 56%
Attainment 8 score (out of 90)state
38.7
-0.4 vs Eng avgEng avg 39.1
Average FMS Inspection Score
7.8/10
+0.42 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.4/10
Average national rank
#1,808
+2 pts vs medianmedian 1,902
top 48% of 3,803
% achieving grades 9-7 (A*-A)state
72%
+16 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 56%
Attainment 8 score (out of 90)state
38.7
-0.4 vs Eng avgEng avg 39.1
Sixth form schools: 15 schools (state + independent)
LocalEngland avg
Average FMS Inspection Score
7.6/10
-0.16 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.7/10
Average national rank
#1,369
-4 pts vs medianmedian 1,262
top 54% of 2,523
% A*-A at A-Level
23%
-2 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 25%
% A*-B at A-Level
49%
-2 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 50%
Average FMS Inspection Score
7.6/10
-0.16 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.7/10
Average national rank
#1,369
-4 pts vs medianmedian 1,262
top 54% of 2,523
% A*-A at A-Level
23%
-2 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 25%
% A*-B at A-Level
49%
-2 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 50%
Oxford
#270
10 ranked schools · -8 places vs Eng avg #262 of 1,866
Applications
49
Offers
4
Offer rate8.2%
-8.5 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 16.6%
Cambridge
#713
10 ranked schools · -14 places vs Eng avg #699 of 1,830
Applications
71
Offers
35
Offer rate49.3%
+12.3 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 37.0%
Top 3 Primary Schools
2026
Bedford town
Top 3 Secondary Schools
2026
Bedford town
Top 3 Sixth Forms
2026
Bedford town
Local directory
School profiles in Bedford
Browse 39 local profile links across primary schools in bedford town, secondary schools in bedford town, sixth forms in bedford town and other schools. Each profile brings together admissions context, performance data, inspection history and school details in one place.
40 nurseries in BedfordLoading map…
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