Bedford Free School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Outcome

Bedford Free School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.

The principal of this school is Jane Herron. This school is a part of Advantage Schools Trust, which means other people in the trust also have responsibility for running the school. The trust is run by the chief executive officer (CEO), Stuart Lock, and overseen by a board of trustees, chaired by Mark McCourt.

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils flourish at this school. They experience a high quality of education. They meet leaders' exceptionally high expectations for their learning, personal development and behaviour.

Pupils are happy and proud to be p...art of this community. They work extremely hard to 'climb the mountain of success'.

Pupils access a broad range of subjects that challenge them academically.

They typically achieve extremely well. The school prioritises the well-being and character development of pupils. They receive high-quality guidance and care.

Pupils value the fact that there are plenty of adults who will listen to them.

Pupils' experiences at this school are exceptional. They take part in a wide range of 'electives', trips and opportunities.

These activities broaden pupils' interests, experiences and understanding of the world. For example, pupils in Year 7 participate in a trip to Wales, where they climb a mountain – Snowdon. The 'electives' they take part in include sports, pilates, embroidery, Mandarin, Latin and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Pupils learn about equality and diversity. Pupils spoke about how everyone is equal and differences are accepted. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary.

They clearly understand the expectations and conduct themselves responsibly. They are told to 'work hard and be nice' and they do this exceptionally well.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school has developed a well-constructed, broad and ambitious academic curriculum.

The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) is at the heart of the curriculum in Years 10 and 11. Subject leaders have outlined precisely what pupils must know and understand. Expert teachers deliver knowledge in well-sequenced chunks which help pupils to remember what they have learned.

Teachers regularly check what pupils know. Pupils act on teachers' feedback and this helps them to improve.

Disadvantaged pupils are very well supported in the school.

The school clearly identifies the needs of pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and considers the adaptations they may need. Staff provide effective support for pupils with SEND. This enables them to work independently to access the same curriculum as their peers.

Pupils with SEND achieve very well.

There is a strong culture of reading in the school. Pupils read a wide variety of texts.

Those pupils who struggle to read fluently when they join the school receive the right support to help them build their confidence. Consequently, those who struggle to read catch up quickly.

The school provides an impressive range of opportunities for pupils through the enrichment programme.

The school has carefully planned for pupils' wider experiences so that they develop the talents and interests of all pupils. Pupils take part in a wide range of experiences that enrich their curriculum learning. These include trips to an Oxford College and history trips to a castle.

Pupils learn a variety of new sports, for example pickleball. Pupils with SEND take part in a Paralympic festival. All pupils are encouraged to represent their school in some form of sport, and participation levels are extremely high.

High-quality careers advice and guidance run through the school's work. All pupils in Year 7 visit the University of Bedfordshire to experience a higher education setting and all Year 10 pupils take part in a week of work experience. Pupils hear from visitors, for example a chartered surveyor and students studying medicine.

Pupils make well-informed decisions about their curriculum, activities and next steps.

Staff induct pupils expertly into the school and clearly outline the behaviours expected in this community. As a result, excellent behaviour is the norm at the school.

Low-level disruption is very rare. Pupils display a strong commitment to their learning and they attend well.

Staff, including those new to teaching, are very well supported.

They value the way in which leaders consider their well-being and workload. They benefit from high-quality training. This is why the quality of education is so consistently strong.

Trustees and executive leaders know the school very well. They hold leaders strictly to account for the quality of the school's provision and are highly effective.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Background

Until September 2024, on a graded (section 5) inspection we gave schools an overall effectiveness grade, in addition to the key and provision judgements. Overall effectiveness grades given before September 2024 will continue to be visible on school inspection reports and on Ofsted's website. From September 2024 graded inspections will not include an overall effectiveness grade.

This school was, before September 2024, judged outstanding for its overall effectiveness.

We have now inspected the school to determine whether it has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at that previous inspection. This is called an ungraded inspection, and it is carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005.

We do not give graded judgements on an ungraded inspection. However, if we find evidence that a school's work has improved significantly or that it may not be as strong as it was at the last inspection, then the next inspection will be a graded inspection. A graded inspection is carried out under section 5 of the Act.

Usually this is within one to two years of the date of the ungraded inspection. If we have serious concerns about safeguarding, behaviour or the quality of education, we will deem the ungraded inspection a graded inspection immediately.

This is the first ungraded inspection since we judged the school to be outstanding for overall effectiveness in January 2020.