What did Ofsted judge Bedford Academy's overall effectiveness to be?

Ofsted judged Bedford Academy's overall effectiveness as Good at its inspection in March 2023, on Ofsted's own scale.

How many pupils attend Bedford Academy?

Bedford Academy has 1,480 pupils on roll.

What ages does Bedford Academy take?

Bedford Academy admits pupils aged 11 to 18.

Where is Bedford Academy located?

Bedford Academy is located in Bedford, MK42 9TR, Bedford.

How do I apply to Bedford Academy?

Bedford Academy is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.

How close do you need to live to get into Bedford Academy?

On offer day for 2026-27 (Year 7), the furthest place offered at Bedford Academy was 2.347 miles from the school. That is the distance the last place reached in one year, not a boundary and not a guarantee — it moves with the number of applicants.

How are Year 7 places decided at Bedford Academy?

When Bedford Academy has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after and previously looked after children — All 'looked after' children and all previously 'looked after' children, including those children who appear (to the admission authority of the school) to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted; 2. Children from named feeder primary schools — Children who currently attend HEART Academy Trust Primary Schools, Cotton End, Elstow and Kings Oak Primary Schools; 3. Catchment siblings — Students living in the catchment area with siblings at the school, and 5 further criteria. The school offers 300 places at this entry point. Tie-break: Within each of the over-subscription categories, priority is given to those who live nearest the Academy, as measured by the straight-line distance using the Local Authority's computerised measuring system, from the address-point of the student's home to the front gate of the Academy on Mile Road, Bedford regardless of the distance of travel.

What is the largest ethnic background at Bedford Academy?

According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 29% of pupils at Bedford Academy are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

Bedford Academy: Ofsted, Results & Catchment 2026

How close did you need to live?

2.347miles

was the furthest place offered on offer day for 2026-27 (Year 7). That is how far the last place reached in ONE year — not a boundary, and not a guarantee. It moves with the number of applicants, so treat it as a guide rather than a line on a map.

Last distance offered at Bedford Academy, year by year →

How places are decided at Bedford Academy

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Looked after and previously looked after children — All 'looked after' children and all previously 'looked after' children, including those children who appear (to the admission authority of the school) to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted
2Children from named feeder primary schools — Children who currently attend HEART Academy Trust Primary Schools, Cotton End, Elstow and Kings Oak Primary Schools
3Catchment siblings — Students living in the catchment area with siblings at the school
4Other siblings
5Staff children — Staff with children that wish to attend the school with the following requirements: - Where the member of staff has been employed to work at HEART Academies Trust for a minimum of 2 years at the time at which the application for admission to the school is made. - The member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post at HEART Academies Trust for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage.
6Other catchment students — Other students living in the catchment area
7Very exceptional medical grounds — 'Very exceptional' medical grounds
8Any other children

If two applications tie: Within each of the over-subscription categories, priority is given to those who live nearest the Academy, as measured by the straight-line distance using the Local Authority's computerised measuring system, from the address-point of the student's home to the front gate of the Academy on Mile Road, Bedford regardless of the distance of travel.

Admission after EHCP-named children admitted first by law. Waiting list operated until end of autumn term for normal year of admission.

Published by the admission authority. Meeting a criterion never guarantees a place — it sets the order places are offered in. Full detail, other entry points and previous years are on the Admissions tab.

Bedford Academy: key facts

What did Ofsted judge Bedford Academy's overall effectiveness to be?: Ofsted judged Bedford Academy's overall effectiveness as Good at its inspection in March 2023, on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend Bedford Academy?: Bedford Academy has 1,480 pupils on roll.
What ages does Bedford Academy take?: Bedford Academy admits pupils aged 11 to 18.
Where is Bedford Academy located?: Bedford Academy is located in Bedford, MK42 9TR, Bedford.
How do I apply to Bedford Academy?: Bedford Academy is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.
How close do you need to live to get into Bedford Academy?: On offer day for 2026-27 (Year 7), the furthest place offered at Bedford Academy was 2.347 miles from the school. That is the distance the last place reached in one year, not a boundary and not a guarantee — it moves with the number of applicants.
How are Year 7 places decided at Bedford Academy?: When Bedford Academy has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after and previously looked after children — All 'looked after' children and all previously 'looked after' children, including those children who appear (to the admission authority of the school) to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted; 2. Children from named feeder primary schools — Children who currently attend HEART Academy Trust Primary Schools, Cotton End, Elstow and Kings Oak Primary Schools; 3. Catchment siblings — Students living in the catchment area with siblings at the school, and 5 further criteria. The school offers 300 places at this entry point. Tie-break: Within each of the over-subscription categories, priority is given to those who live nearest the Academy, as measured by the straight-line distance using the Local Authority's computerised measuring system, from the address-point of the student's home to the front gate of the Academy on Mile Road, Bedford regardless of the distance of travel.
What is the largest ethnic background at Bedford Academy?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 29% of pupils at Bedford Academy are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

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How close did you need to live?

2.347miles

Last distance offered at Bedford Academy, year by year →

How places are decided at Bedford Academy

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Looked after and previously looked after children — All 'looked after' children and all previously 'looked after' children, including those children who appear (to the admission authority of the school) to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted
2Children from named feeder primary schools — Children who currently attend HEART Academy Trust Primary Schools, Cotton End, Elstow and Kings Oak Primary Schools
3Catchment siblings — Students living in the catchment area with siblings at the school
4Other siblings
5Staff children — Staff with children that wish to attend the school with the following requirements: - Where the member of staff has been employed to work at HEART Academies Trust for a minimum of 2 years at the time at which the application for admission to the school is made. - The member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post at HEART Academies Trust for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage.
6Other catchment students — Other students living in the catchment area
7Very exceptional medical grounds — 'Very exceptional' medical grounds
8Any other children

Admission after EHCP-named children admitted first by law. Waiting list operated until end of autumn term for normal year of admission.

Bedford Academy: key facts

What did Ofsted judge Bedford Academy's overall effectiveness to be?: Ofsted judged Bedford Academy's overall effectiveness as Good at its inspection in March 2023, on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend Bedford Academy?: Bedford Academy has 1,480 pupils on roll.
What ages does Bedford Academy take?: Bedford Academy admits pupils aged 11 to 18.
Where is Bedford Academy located?: Bedford Academy is located in Bedford, MK42 9TR, Bedford.
How do I apply to Bedford Academy?: Bedford Academy is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.
How close do you need to live to get into Bedford Academy?: On offer day for 2026-27 (Year 7), the furthest place offered at Bedford Academy was 2.347 miles from the school. That is the distance the last place reached in one year, not a boundary and not a guarantee — it moves with the number of applicants.
How are Year 7 places decided at Bedford Academy?: When Bedford Academy has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after and previously looked after children — All 'looked after' children and all previously 'looked after' children, including those children who appear (to the admission authority of the school) to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted; 2. Children from named feeder primary schools — Children who currently attend HEART Academy Trust Primary Schools, Cotton End, Elstow and Kings Oak Primary Schools; 3. Catchment siblings — Students living in the catchment area with siblings at the school, and 5 further criteria. The school offers 300 places at this entry point. Tie-break: Within each of the over-subscription categories, priority is given to those who live nearest the Academy, as measured by the straight-line distance using the Local Authority's computerised measuring system, from the address-point of the student's home to the front gate of the Academy on Mile Road, Bedford regardless of the distance of travel.
What is the largest ethnic background at Bedford Academy?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 29% of pupils at Bedford Academy are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

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Bedford Academy

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How places are decided at Bedford Academy

Bedford Academy: key facts

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Bedford Academy

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How close did you need to live?

How places are decided at Bedford Academy

Bedford Academy: key facts

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