Best schools in Bedford
School choices matter here, but they make most sense when paired with a postcode that already looks stable on the wider score. This ranking covers 120 schools across 3 local authority districts. Postcode area SG16 has the highest average school score (72.8 across 2 schools), while SG18 sits at the lower end (41.7). 100% of ranked Bedford schools hold an Ofsted Outstanding or Good rating.
Top 10 schools in Bedford on the LocaleIQ model
Ordered by composite score within the Bedford comparison pool. Rankings reflect published data, not editorial opinion.
More schools in Bedford
Positions 11–30 in the Bedford ranking.
| # | School | LocaleIQ | Ofsted | Phase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Farley Junior Academy | 91.2 | Outstanding | Primary |
| 12 | Dovery Academy | 91 | Outstanding | Primary |
| 13 | Whipperley Infant Academy | 90.4 | Outstanding | Primary |
| 14 | Denbigh High School | 88.1 | Outstanding | Secondary |
| 15 | Gravenhurst Academy | 86.8 | Outstanding | Primary |
| 16 | Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre | 86.5 | Outstanding | Primary |
| 17 | Challney High School for Girls | 85.8 | Outstanding | Secondary |
| 18 | Studham Village CofE Academy | 85.5 | Good | Primary |
| 19 | Sharnbrook Primary | 84.1 | Good | Primary |
| 20 | Ursula Taylor Church of England School | 83.4 | Outstanding | Primary |
| 21 | Putnoe Primary School | 82.5 | Good | Primary |
| 22 | St Margaret of Scotland Catholic Primary School | 81.3 | Good | Primary |
| 23 | Thornhill Primary School | 80.8 | Good | Primary |
| 24 | River Bank Primary School | 80.3 | Good | Primary |
| 25 | Ramsey Manor Lower School | 79.3 | Good | Primary |
| 26 | Raynsford Church of England Academy | 79.2 | Good | Primary |
| 27 | Goldington Academy | 79 | Good | Secondary |
| 28 | Downside Primary School | 78.6 | Good | Primary |
| 29 | Challney High School for Boys | 78.2 | Outstanding | Secondary |
| 30 | Chantry Primary Academy | 77.3 | Good | Primary |
Keep exploring Bedford
Questions about schools in Bedford
What is the best school in Bedford?
Leagrave Primary School is the top-ranked school in Bedford overall (LocaleIQ score 99.4 out of 100). Ofsted: Outstanding. KS2 expected 91% · higher 22%. Primary and secondary schools are scored on separate metrics and peer pools — use the phase tabs above to compare like for like.
What is the best primary school in Bedford?
Leagrave Primary School leads the Bedford primary school ranking (LocaleIQ 99.4). Ofsted: Outstanding. KS2 expected 91% · higher 22%. The Primary tab above shows the full ranked list of Bedford primary schools.
What is the best secondary school in Bedford?
Denbigh High School leads the Bedford secondary school ranking (LocaleIQ 88.1). Ofsted: Outstanding. Attainment 8 52.6. The Secondary tab above shows the full ranked list of Bedford secondary schools.
Which schools in Bedford are rated Outstanding by Ofsted?
17 schools in the Bedford ranking hold an Outstanding Ofsted rating: Leagrave Primary School, Lark Rise Academy, Hillborough Junior School, Denbigh Primary School, Tennyson Road Primary School, and 12 more. Outstanding means Ofsted judged the school exceptional in all inspection areas. LocaleIQ weighs DfE performance data alongside Ofsted, so a Good-rated school can still rank highly.
Which area of Bedford has the best schools?
By average LocaleIQ score across postcode areas, SG16 has the strongest cluster — 72.8 average across 2 ranked schools. SG18 sits at the lower end (41.7 average). School choices matter here, but they make most sense when paired with a postcode that already looks stable on the wider score. Postcode averages mask individual variation — always review each school's full profile.
How many schools are ranked in Bedford?
This ranking covers 120 schools (primary and secondary) in the Bedford comparison pool, across 3 local authority districts. Use the Primary or Secondary tabs for phase-specific rankings. Schools without sufficient published data are excluded but may appear in the LocaleIQ directory.
Ranking data last computed 29 March 2026.