Sharnbrook Academy Review 2026: A Rural Heavyweight with Media Flair

Set in the North Bedfordshire countryside, Sharnbrook Academy serves a vast rural catchment of villages and market towns. Formerly a highly regarded Upper School, it has transitioned into a full 11-18 secondary and joined the Meridian Trust in 2021. This shift has brought stability and investment, culminating in Ofsted restoring its Good status in 2025 with Outstanding features. With nearly 2,000 students, including a large Sixth Form, it feels more like a small university campus than a village school, blending academic breadth with the space to breathe.

The campus is expansive, dominated by a mix of modern blocks and established departmental wings surrounded by playing fields. At drop-off, a fleet of buses deposits students who move purposefully towards tutor rooms. The atmosphere is energetic but orderly.

Ms Carly Waterman has led the school as Principal since September 2025, taking over from Clare Raku who guided the school through its recent successful inspection. The school ethos is built on "Excellence, Care and Opportunity", and the latest inspection noted that pupils feel safe and treat each other with respect.

The sheer scale of the site allows for impressive specialist facilities. The Paula Radcliffe Centre, named after the Olympian and former pupil, anchors the sporting provision. The purpose-built Science Centre and Sixth Form block provide dedicated spaces for focused study. Unusually for a state school, it boasts a professional-grade media centre with TV studios capable of live broadcasting.

Academic performance is solid and improving, reflecting the school's upward trajectory. In 2024, the school achieved a Progress 8 score of +0.15, indicating that students make above-average progress from their starting points compared to peers across England.

Ranked 1,228th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), Sharnbrook ranks 5th among secondary schools in Bedford, placing it in the top tier locally.

Attainment is robust. In 2024, 24.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate (Ebacc), and the average Attainment 8 score was 50.9, well above the England average of 45.9.

Sixth Form Results

The Sixth Form remains a strength. Ranked 1,291st in England and 6th in Bedford for A-level outcomes, performance sits in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (national typical). In 2024, nearly 45% of grades were A*-B, with over 7% at the highest A* standard.

The curriculum is broad and ambitious. As a former Upper School, Sharnbrook retains a legacy of strong subject specialism, particularly in the sciences and creative arts. The transition to the Meridian Trust has sharpened the focus on Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9), ensuring a smoother run-up to GCSEs.

Teachers have strong subject knowledge. Inspectors in 2025 praised the clear explanations and structured lessons. In the Sixth Form, the relationship shifts. Students speak of a collaborative academic environment where independence is expected. The Media Department is particularly well-resourced, often producing work of professional quality.

The Sixth Form is a major funnel to higher education. In 2024, 47% of leavers progressed to university, with 9% securing apprenticeships. This figure reflects strong links with local industry and engineering firms.

Destinations are aspirational. In 2024, one student secured a place at Cambridge, continuing the school's record of Oxbridge success. The majority of university applicants head to established campus universities. Popular choices often include Nottingham, Leeds, and Sheffield.

Entry into Year 7 is coordinated by Bedford Borough Council. The school is popular and consistently oversubscribed. In the most recent intake, there were 369 applications for 255 places. This is a ratio of 1.45 applicants per seat.

The catchment area is geographically huge. It covers Sharnbrook, Harrold, Odell, and surrounding villages. Places are allocated first to looked-after children and siblings, then by catchment residence, and finally by straight-line distance.

Parents should verify their catchment status carefully. While the school historically took pupils at age 13, the entry point is now firmly at age 11 (Year 7), and competition for these places has intensified.

The House system breaks the large student body down into manageable communities. Each house has dedicated pastoral support officers who are non-teaching staff. They are available throughout the day to handle concerns.

Wellbeing support is structured. A dedicated "Hub" provides a sanctuary for vulnerable students, and the school works closely with external agencies for mental health support. The recent Ofsted report highlighted that bullying is rare and dealt with effectively when it occurs.

The extracurricular offer leverages the school's size and facilities. Sport is a major pillar. The Paula Radcliffe Centre facilities support elite pathways in athletics and football, alongside recreational clubs for badminton and basketball.

The arts are equally vibrant. The annual school production is a community event, utilising professional-grade lighting and sound in the main hall. Musically, students can join the Jazz Band, Soul Band, or various vocal ensembles.

STEM opportunities are notable. The school participates in the Greenpower electric car racing challenge. Students design, build, and race their own vehicles. This is a perfect example of the practical application of physics and engineering.

The school day runs from 8:40am to 3:10pm. Transport is a key logistical factor. A significant proportion of students arrive by bus from outlying villages. The school manages a complex network of bus routes. Parents should confirm eligibility for travel assistance with the local authority.

Size and Scale. With nearly 2,000 students, Sharnbrook is a large institution. While this brings opportunities and facilities, quieter students will need to find their niche within the House system to avoid feeling lost in the crowd.

Rural Transport. Reliance on school buses is a reality for many. This can limit flexibility for after-school clubs unless parents are able to provide car transport for late pick-ups.

Recent Change. The school has undergone significant changes in structure and leadership. While the 2025 Good rating confirms the success of these changes, families joining now are entering a school that is settled but still evolving under its Trust partnership.

Sharnbrook Academy has successfully reinvented itself as a modern, all-through secondary while retaining the specialist strengths of its Upper School heritage. It offers a "big school" experience, with vast facilities, broad curriculum, and buzzing Sixth Form, set against a calm rural backdrop. Best suited to students who want academic breadth and sporting opportunity, and who are ready to navigate a large, busy campus environment.