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Redborne Upper School and Community College Catchment Area

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

Redborne Upper School and Community College is an academy converter secondary school in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire , serving pupils aged 13-18, with 1592 pupils, and a capacity of 1418 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

13-18

Age range

1,592

Pupils

1,418

Capacity

112%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2024

Redborne Upper School and Community College Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Redborne Upper School and Community College?

The catchment area for Redborne Upper School and Community College is the geographic zone Central Bedfordshire 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. Central Bedfordshire publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

As an academy, Redborne Upper School and Community College sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Central Bedfordshire. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.

Currently oversubscribed: 1592 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1418 places. Living within the catchment area is especially important for this school.

Not getting a place? Learn how to appeal a school place →

Want the cut-off distance before you apply? Get an alert when Central Bedfordshire publishes the 2027 Redborne Upper School and Community College numbers →

The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by Central Bedfordshire before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find Central Bedfordshire catchment area documents →

Redborne Upper School and Community College: heavily oversubscribed at 112% capacity

Redborne Upper School and Community College has a published admission number of 1418 places. 1592 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 112%. At 112% capacity, the school is heavily oversubscribed. Central Bedfordshire allocates places using ranked criteria: looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment distance. Living within the catchment area is a strong but not guaranteed advantage, as the last distance offered shrinks each year as applications rise.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 13.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, below the national average. The school draws primarily from a lower-deprivation part of Bedford.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

Central Bedfordshire 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 Central Bedfordshire school admissions →

Redborne Upper School and Community College: School Information

Full address
Flitwick Road, Ampthill, Bedford, MK45 2NU
Local authority
Central Bedfordshire
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
13-18 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
13.8% of pupils
DfE URN
136559

Other Secondary Schools in Bedford

If Redborne Upper School and Community College is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Bedford are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Redborne Upper School and Community College 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.

Frequently Asked Questions: Redborne Upper School and Community College

What is the catchment area for Redborne Upper School and Community College?

The catchment area for Redborne Upper School and Community College is the geographic zone Central Bedfordshire 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. Central Bedfordshire publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Redborne Upper School and Community College oversubscribed?

Yes, Redborne Upper School and Community College currently has 1592 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1418 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Redborne Upper School and Community College?

Admission to Redborne Upper School and Community College is managed by Central Bedfordshire. 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 Redborne Upper School and Community College cover?

Redborne Upper School and Community College is a secondary school in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, serving pupils aged 13-18. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Redborne Upper School and Community College?

Redborne Upper School and Community College was rated Good by Ofsted in 2024. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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