Best secondary 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 40 secondary schools across 3 local authority districts. Postcode area LU4 has the highest average school score (72.5 across 3 schools), while MK43 sits at the lower end (21.7). 85% of ranked Bedford secondary schools hold an Ofsted Outstanding or Good rating.
Top 10 secondary schools in Bedford on the LocaleIQ model
Ordered by composite score within the Bedford comparison pool. Rankings reflect published data, not editorial opinion.
More secondary schools in Bedford
Positions 11–30 in the Bedford ranking.
| # | School | LocaleIQ | Ofsted | Phase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Cardinal Newman Catholic School A Specialist Science College | 64.5 | Good | Secondary |
| 12 | Harlington Upper School | 63 | Good | Secondary |
| 13 | Vandyke Upper School | 62 | Good | Secondary |
| 14 | Samuel Whitbread Academy | 59.5 | Good | Secondary |
| 15 | Redborne Upper School and Community College | 57.1 | Good | Secondary |
| 16 | Priory Academy | 56.5 | Good | All-through |
| 17 | St Thomas More Catholic School | 54.5 | Good | Secondary |
| 18 | Icknield High School | 53.8 | Good | Secondary |
| 19 | The Chalk Hills Academy | 53.4 | Good | Secondary |
| 20 | Biddenham International School and Sports College | 49.2 | Good | Secondary |
| 21 | Bedford Academy | 40.7 | Good | Secondary |
| 22 | Manshead Church of England Academy | 40 | Good | Secondary |
| 23 | Kempston Academy | 38.3 | Good | Secondary |
| 24 | Sandy Secondary School | 35.4 | Good | Secondary |
| 25 | Lealands High School | 32.8 | Good | Secondary |
| 26 | Lincroft Academy | 32.7 | Good | Secondary |
| 27 | Queen Elizabeth School | 31.5 | Good | Secondary |
| 28 | Castle Newnham School | 31.2 | Good | Secondary |
| 29 | Stopsley High School | 29.5 | Good | Secondary |
| 30 | Henlow Church of England Academy | 29.4 | Good | Secondary |
Keep exploring Bedford
Questions about secondary schools in Bedford
What is the best secondary school in Bedford?
Denbigh High School is the top-ranked secondary school in Bedford (LocaleIQ score 88.1 out of 100). Ofsted: Outstanding. Attainment 8 52.6. The score combines Ofsted outcome, Progress 8 and Attainment 8, and cohort-weighted percentile ranks within the Bedford secondary pool.
What is the best primary school in Bedford?
Leagrave Primary School tops the Bedford primary school ranking (LocaleIQ 99.4). Ofsted: Outstanding. KS2 expected 91% · higher 22%. See the full primary school ranking for Bedford for the complete list.
Which secondary schools in Bedford have the best GCSE results?
Attainment 8 measures average GCSE grades across eight subjects; Progress 8 compares actual grades against predictions based on KS2 — a positive figure means pupils outperformed expectations. Top performers in Bedford: Denbigh High School (Attainment 8 52.6); Challney High School for Girls (Attainment 8 50.1); Goldington Academy (Attainment 8 54.3). Both metrics feed into the LocaleIQ secondary school score.
Which secondary schools in Bedford are rated Outstanding by Ofsted?
4 secondary schools in the Bedford ranking hold an Outstanding Ofsted rating: Denbigh High School, Challney High School for Girls, Challney High School for Boys, Bedford Free School. 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.
How many secondary schools are ranked in Bedford?
This ranking covers 40 secondary schools in the Bedford comparison pool, across 3 local authority districts. Schools without sufficient published data are excluded but may appear in the LocaleIQ directory.
Which area of Bedford has the best secondary schools?
By average LocaleIQ score across postcode areas, LU4 has the strongest cluster — 72.5 average across 3 ranked secondary schools. MK43 sits at the lower end (21.7 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.
Ranking data last computed 29 March 2026.