Explore other schools in this area
See every school around MK42 9AD on an interactive map — Ofsted, phase filters, GCSE context where published, and Parent View themes.
Open schools map →🎓 SchoolSecondary
Bedford Free School
Cauldwell Street, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 9AD, Bedford
LocaleIQ Score
LocaleIQ Score
77.6 / 100
Top 22%
Better than 78% of all open schools in England. Composite of Ofsted, GCSE outcomes, and parent satisfaction.
Overview
Ofsted
Outstanding
Pupils
525
Capacity
500
Ages
11–16
Gender
Mixed
Occupancy
105%
Summary
With an Outstanding rating from Ofsted and a GCSE Attainment 8 score of 46.5, this secondary school demonstrates strong academic performance, particularly with an impressive EBacc entry rate of 89%. While 62% of students achieve grade 4 or above in English and Maths, parent satisfaction is moderate at 70%. Overall, it ranks better than 78% of schools in the area, making it a solid choice for families.
Explore this location
Start from postcode MK42 9AD — compare nearby schools or open the full live area report.
Explore the area around Bedford Free School
Crime trends, planning applications, licensed HMOs, roadworks, and neighbourhood context — the same postcode workflow LocaleIQ uses for moving and schools research.
Open area analysis →Ofsted inspection
Last inspected: 15 January 2020Exempt from re-inspection ⓘQuality Of Education: OutstandingPersonal Development: OutstandingBehaviour & Attitudes: OutstandingLeadership & Management: Outstanding
GCSE Results
| Metric | Value | vs UK |
|---|---|---|
| Attainment 8Combined grade score across a pupil's best 8 GCSEs. Higher = stronger academic outcomes. National average ~46.7. | 46.5 | Top 46% UK |
| English & Maths — Standard pass (grade 4+)Share of pupils who achieved grade 4+ in both English and Maths. Grade 4 is the minimum threshold for most employers and sixth forms. National average ~64%. | 62% | Bottom 40% UK |
| English & Maths — Strong pass (grade 5+)Share of pupils achieving grade 5+ in both English and Maths. Required by many universities and competitive sixth-form programmes. National average ~44%. | 37% | Bottom 31% UK |
| EBacc — Entry rate% of pupils who sat GCSEs in the full EBacc suite: English, Maths, History or Geography, a language, and Sciences. Signals a broad academic curriculum. National average ~39%. | 89% | Top 20% UK |
| EBacc — Achievement (grade 5+)% of pupils who achieved grade 5+ across all EBacc subjects. Reflects both curriculum breadth and academic rigour. National average ~22%. | 41% | Top 20% UK |
Parent View (91 responses)
★★★★★3.6
School has high expectations
95%
Good range of subjects
84%
Behaviour is good
84%
Progress is communicated
84%
Good range of extra-curricular
82%
My child feels safe
80%
My child makes good progress
80%
School keeps me informed
79%
My child is happy
73%
I'd recommend this school
70%
School supports development
67%
School responds to concerns
33%
Pupil Ethnicity
Asian Indian16.4%
White Other15.8%
White British13.9%
Black African11.4%
Asian Bangladeshi10.7%
Mixed Other8.6%
Asian Pakistani7.8%
Other3.8%
Mixed W+B Carib.3.0%
Asian Other1.9%
Mixed W+Asian1.5%
Black Caribbean1.5%
Mixed W+B African1.0%
Black Other0.8%
Gypsy/Roma0.4%
White Irish0.2%
Asian Chinese0.2%
Location
Loading map…
52.13243, -0.46680 · MK42 9AD
School details
Local authorityBedford
RegionEast of England
URN138228
School typeFree schools
Websitewww.bedfordfreeschool.co.uk/
Frequently asked questions
What is Bedford Free School rated by Ofsted?
Bedford Free School was rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted at its last inspection on 15 January 2020.
Is Bedford Free School a good school?
Bedford Free School scores 77.6/100 on the LocaleIQ index, placing it in the top 22% of all open schools in England. The score is a composite of Ofsted inspection results, GCSE outcomes, and parent satisfaction surveys.
What do parents say about Bedford Free School?
Based on 91 Ofsted Parent View responses, Bedford Free School receives a satisfaction score of 71% across all parent survey questions.
How do pupils perform at Bedford Free School in GCSEs?
Bedford Free School achieved an Attainment 8 score of 46.5. 62% of pupils achieved grade 9–4 in English and Maths.
What are the best schools near MK42 9AD?
Use the LocaleIQ map to explore all schools near MK42 9AD with Ofsted ratings, GCSE results, and parent reviews overlaid. You can filter by Primary, Secondary, Nursery or College.