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

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

How many pupils attend Arnold Academy?

Arnold Academy has 704 pupils on roll.

What ages does Arnold Academy take?

Arnold Academy admits pupils aged 9 to 13.

Where is Arnold Academy located?

Arnold Academy is located in Bedford, MK45 4JZ, Central Bedfordshire.

How do I apply to Arnold Academy?

Arnold 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 Arnold Academy?

Distance did not decide places at Arnold Academy for 2026-27 (Year 5): every applicant who applied on time was offered a place, so there was no cut-off distance. This changes year to year; check the current year's figures before relying on it.

How are Year 5 places decided at Arnold Academy?

When Arnold Academy has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after / previously looked after children — All looked after or previously looked after children, including those children who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted; 2. Children of staff — Children of staff at the school (see 3.17); 3. Catchment with siblings — Children living in catchment area with siblings at the school (priority given to those currently attending feeder PST schools, followed by those attending Harlington cluster feeder schools), and 5 further criteria. The school offers 180 places at this entry point. Tie-break: The distance the pupil lives from the school is measured in a straight line, using the Local Authority's measuring system, with those living closer to the school receiving higher priority. In the event of (a) two or more children living at the same address point or (b) two addresses measuring the same distance from the school, the ultimate tiebreaker will be random selection, using the Synergy Admissions database to allocate the place.

What is the largest ethnic background at Arnold Academy?

According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 66.3% of pupils at Arnold Academy are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

Arnold Academy: Ofsted, Results & Catchment 2026

School AtlasCentral Bedfordshire

Central Bedfordshire

School AtlasCentral Bedfordshire

Central Bedfordshire

How close did you need to live?

Distance did not decide places here

Every applicant who applied on time was offered a place for 2026-27 (Year 5), so there was no cut-off distance. This changes from year to year; check the current year's figures before relying on it.

How places were offered at Arnold Academy, year by year →

How places are decided at Arnold Academy

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Year 5), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Looked after / previously looked after children — All looked after or previously looked after children, including those children who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted.
2Children of staff — Children of staff at the school (see 3.17)
3Catchment with siblings — Children living in catchment area with siblings at the school (priority given to those currently attending feeder PST schools, followed by those attending Harlington cluster feeder schools)
4Catchment area — Children living in catchment area (priority given to those currently attending feeder PST schools, followed by those attending Harlington cluster feeder schools)
5Other siblings — Other siblings (priority given to those currently attending feeder PST schools, followed by those attending Harlington cluster feeder schools)
6PST lower school attendees — Children attending PST lower schools
7Harlington cluster feeder schools (Arnold/Parkfields pyramid) — Children attending Harlington cluster feeder schools within the Arnold or Parkfields pyramid
8Any other children

If two applications tie: The distance the pupil lives from the school is measured in a straight line, using the Local Authority's measuring system, with those living closer to the school receiving higher priority. In the event of (a) two or more children living at the same address point or (b) two addresses measuring the same distance from the school, the ultimate tiebreaker will be random selection, using the Synergy Admissions database to allocate the place.

Criteria shared with Parkfields Middle School under the heading 'Arnold Academy and Parkfields Middle School'. Arnold Academy maintains its own waiting list rather than the Local Authority (3.55). Offers made on National Offer Day 1 March or the next working day (3.52). EHCP-naming children admitted before these criteria as required by law.

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.

Arnold Academy: key facts

What did Ofsted judge Arnold Academy's overall effectiveness to be?: Ofsted judged Arnold Academy's overall effectiveness as Good at its inspection in May 2023, on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend Arnold Academy?: Arnold Academy has 704 pupils on roll.
What ages does Arnold Academy take?: Arnold Academy admits pupils aged 9 to 13.
Where is Arnold Academy located?: Arnold Academy is located in Bedford, MK45 4JZ, Central Bedfordshire.
How do I apply to Arnold Academy?: Arnold 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 Arnold Academy?: Distance did not decide places at Arnold Academy for 2026-27 (Year 5): every applicant who applied on time was offered a place, so there was no cut-off distance. This changes year to year; check the current year's figures before relying on it.
How are Year 5 places decided at Arnold Academy?: When Arnold Academy has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after / previously looked after children — All looked after or previously looked after children, including those children who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted; 2. Children of staff — Children of staff at the school (see 3.17); 3. Catchment with siblings — Children living in catchment area with siblings at the school (priority given to those currently attending feeder PST schools, followed by those attending Harlington cluster feeder schools), and 5 further criteria. The school offers 180 places at this entry point. Tie-break: The distance the pupil lives from the school is measured in a straight line, using the Local Authority's measuring system, with those living closer to the school receiving higher priority. In the event of (a) two or more children living at the same address point or (b) two addresses measuring the same distance from the school, the ultimate tiebreaker will be random selection, using the Synergy Admissions database to allocate the place.
What is the largest ethnic background at Arnold Academy?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 66.3% of pupils at Arnold Academy are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

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Same phase, ranked by distance and how closely they match.

Connected nurseries & schools

On-site nursery & childcare

Separately-registered childcare operating at this school's site, each with its own Ofsted record.

APF Activity Camps

Wraparound club

Links are derived from Ofsted registration addresses and published admission arrangements. Always confirm current arrangements with the school.

Interested in this school?Register interest and we'll pass your details on if it joins School Atlas.Register interest

This school hasn't claimed its profile yet, so it can't receive enquiries here. Leave your details and we'll pass them on if the school joins School Atlas.

Nearby schools within 5 km

How close did you need to live?

Distance did not decide places here

Every applicant who applied on time was offered a place for 2026-27 (Year 5), so there was no cut-off distance. This changes from year to year; check the current year's figures before relying on it.

How places were offered at Arnold Academy, year by year →

How places are decided at Arnold Academy

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Year 5), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Looked after / previously looked after children — All looked after or previously looked after children, including those children who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted.
2Children of staff — Children of staff at the school (see 3.17)
3Catchment with siblings — Children living in catchment area with siblings at the school (priority given to those currently attending feeder PST schools, followed by those attending Harlington cluster feeder schools)
4Catchment area — Children living in catchment area (priority given to those currently attending feeder PST schools, followed by those attending Harlington cluster feeder schools)
5Other siblings — Other siblings (priority given to those currently attending feeder PST schools, followed by those attending Harlington cluster feeder schools)
6PST lower school attendees — Children attending PST lower schools
7Harlington cluster feeder schools (Arnold/Parkfields pyramid) — Children attending Harlington cluster feeder schools within the Arnold or Parkfields pyramid
8Any other children

Arnold Academy: key facts

What did Ofsted judge Arnold Academy's overall effectiveness to be?: Ofsted judged Arnold Academy's overall effectiveness as Good at its inspection in May 2023, on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend Arnold Academy?: Arnold Academy has 704 pupils on roll.
What ages does Arnold Academy take?: Arnold Academy admits pupils aged 9 to 13.
Where is Arnold Academy located?: Arnold Academy is located in Bedford, MK45 4JZ, Central Bedfordshire.
How do I apply to Arnold Academy?: Arnold 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 Arnold Academy?: Distance did not decide places at Arnold Academy for 2026-27 (Year 5): every applicant who applied on time was offered a place, so there was no cut-off distance. This changes year to year; check the current year's figures before relying on it.
How are Year 5 places decided at Arnold Academy?: When Arnold Academy has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after / previously looked after children — All looked after or previously looked after children, including those children who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted; 2. Children of staff — Children of staff at the school (see 3.17); 3. Catchment with siblings — Children living in catchment area with siblings at the school (priority given to those currently attending feeder PST schools, followed by those attending Harlington cluster feeder schools), and 5 further criteria. The school offers 180 places at this entry point. Tie-break: The distance the pupil lives from the school is measured in a straight line, using the Local Authority's measuring system, with those living closer to the school receiving higher priority. In the event of (a) two or more children living at the same address point or (b) two addresses measuring the same distance from the school, the ultimate tiebreaker will be random selection, using the Synergy Admissions database to allocate the place.
What is the largest ethnic background at Arnold Academy?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 66.3% of pupils at Arnold Academy are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

Same phase, ranked by distance and how closely they match.

Connected nurseries & schools

On-site nursery & childcare

Separately-registered childcare operating at this school's site, each with its own Ofsted record.

APF Activity Camps

Wraparound club

Links are derived from Ofsted registration addresses and published admission arrangements. Always confirm current arrangements with the school.

Interested in this school?Register interest and we'll pass your details on if it joins School Atlas.Register interest

This school hasn't claimed its profile yet, so it can't receive enquiries here. Leave your details and we'll pass them on if the school joins School Atlas.

Arnold Academy

How close did you need to live?

How places are decided at Arnold Academy

Arnold Academy: key facts

Similar schools nearby

Arnold Academy

Connected nurseries & schools

On-site nursery & childcare

Nearby schools within 5 km

How close did you need to live?

How places are decided at Arnold Academy

Arnold Academy: key facts

Similar schools nearby

Connected nurseries & schools

On-site nursery & childcare

Nearby schools within 5 km