Bedford Free School Catchment Area
Bedford Free School is a free s secondary school in Bedford , serving pupils aged 11-16, with 525 pupils, and a capacity of 500 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.
11-16
Age range
525
Pupils
500
Capacity
105%
Fill rate
Outstanding
Ofsted 2020
Bedford Free School Catchment Area Information
What is the catchment area for Bedford Free School?
The catchment area for Bedford Free School is the geographic zone Bedford uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Bedford publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.
Secondary school places at Bedford Free School are allocated by Bedford using ranked oversubscription criteria. Catchment area residence is typically among the highest priorities after looked-after children and siblings, and the boundary is reviewed each year.
Not getting a place? Learn how to appeal a school place →
Want the cut-off distance before you apply? Get an alert when Bedford publishes the 2027 Bedford Free School numbers →
The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by Bedford before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.
Find Bedford catchment area documents →Bedford Free School: at or above its 500 place limit
Bedford Free School has a published admission number of 500 places. 525 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 105%. The school is at or above its published limit of 500 places. Bedford allocates places using ranked criteria: looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment distance. The last-distance figure is likely to remain tight if demand holds at this level.
The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 28.4% of pupils at Bedford Free School are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Bedford.
To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.
Bedford publishes its full admissions policy, including oversubscription criteria, the previous year's last-distance figures, and the appeals timetable, on the council's official admissions page. Find Bedford school admissions →
Bedford Free School: School Information
- Full address
- Cauldwell Street, Bedford, MK42 9AD
- Local authority
- Bedford
- School type
- Free schools
- Phase of education
- Secondary
- Age range
- 11-16 years
- Admissions policy
- Non-selective
- Free school meals
- 28.4% of pupils
- DfE URN
- 138228
Other Secondary Schools in Bedford
If Bedford Free School is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Bedford are the next closest alternatives.
Biddenham International School and Sports College Catchment Area
Foundation school · MK40 4AZ
Bedford Academy Catchment Area
Academy sponsor led · MK42 9TR
Sharnbrook Academy Catchment Area
Academy converter · MK44 1JL
Lincroft Academy Catchment Area
Academy converter · MK43 7RE
Goldington Academy Catchment Area
Academy converter · MK41 9BX
Redborne Upper School and Community College Catchment Area
Academy converter · MK45 2NU
Nearest secondary schools by distance
These are the secondary schools closest to Bedford Free School by straight-line distance, including ones across a town or council boundary. Distance is not the same as being in catchment: always check each school's own admissions policy for its actual boundary.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Bedford Free School
What is the catchment area for Bedford Free School? ▾
The catchment area for Bedford Free School is the geographic zone Bedford uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Bedford publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.
Is Bedford Free School oversubscribed? ▾
Yes, Bedford Free School currently has 525 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 500 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.
What is the admissions policy for Bedford Free School? ▾
Admission to Bedford Free School is managed by Bedford. When oversubscribed, places go to looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment area distance. Always verify the current policy with the council before applying.
What age range does Bedford Free School cover? ▾
Bedford Free School is a secondary school in Bedford, serving pupils aged 11-16. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.
What is the Ofsted rating for Bedford Free School? ▾
Bedford Free School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in 2020. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.