Facts and Figures for Central Bedfordshire
There are approximately 37,690 children and young people in state schools in Central Bedfordshire. This includes those who live outside of the area but go to school in it, and excludes those who go to school in the area of Bedford Borough or outside of the county, or private schools.
The area has a three tier education system which consists of:
- 97 lower schools (school years 1-4 which is age 4 to 9).
- 24 middle schools (school years 5-8 which is age 9 to 13).
- 10 upper schools (school years 9-11 which is age 13-16).
The upper schools also include a currently optional further two years of sixth form, sometimes still referred to as upper and lower sixth (School year 12-13 which is age 16-18).
In addition the current LEA lists four nurseries and six special schools.
Size of schools
The schools in Central Bedfordshire reflect its varied nature, from small rural lower schools through to large town based upper schools.
- Lower schools range in size from 24 pupils to 434, with an average of 149
- Middle schools range in size from 175 pupils to 793, with an average of 473
- Upper schools range in size from 725 pupils to 1658, with an average of 1177
(Based on 31 August 2007 numbers.)
School admissions
Every year the number of people applying, and the number of spaces vary. The information below is based on the information sent out to parents for 2008 applications. Last year approximately 3077 pupils applied for 3164 places. Applications are based on the preference of parents and pupils and allocations have a direct effect on funding for the schools.
High school
The most popular schools have around six pupils applying for just five places, compared to the less popular where just over half of the available places were applied for.
Middle school
The most popular schools have around three pupils applying for just two places, compared to the less popular where just a quarter of the available places were applied for.
Based on the overall number of applications versus the number of offers made it was slightly harder to get the preferred middle school.
Academic attainment
Using the results from 2007 exams we are able to build up a picture of academic attainment in Central Bedfordshire.
GCSE
On average of nearly half of all students in Central Bedfordshire achieved five or more grades C or above in their GCSEs.
Grades achieved by pupils by school based on 2007 results.
| School | 5 or more grades A*-C including English and maths GCSEs | Level 2 in functional English and maths | Level 1 in functional English and maths | Level 2 (5 or more grades A*-C) | Level 1 (5 or more grades A*-G) | 2 grades A*-C which cover the Key Stage 4 science programme of study | at least one qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest | 65% | 67% | 99% | 75% | 98% | 78% | 100% |
| Lowest | 24% | 31% | 90% | 29% | 86% | 19% | 97% |
| Average | 48% | 52% | 96% | 59% | 94% | 46% | 99% |
| National | 46.7% | 50.3% | 90.8% | 62% | 91.7% | 50.3% | 98.9% |
Post-16 Point scores
For post 16 achievement and attainment in 2007, based on attainment at A/AS level or equivalent study. The results were:
| Highest | Lowest | Average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average point score per student | 808.9 | 205.7 | 723.44 |
| England average point score per student | 731.1 | ||
| Average point score per examination entry | 205.7 | 178.5 | 194.69 |
| England average point score per examination entry | 207.5 | ||
Types of schools
In all cases schools receive funding from the state towards running costs.
- Voluntary Aided – The governing body is responsible for staffing and admission rules, but a governing body helps to fund capital.
There are 15 Voluntary Aided schools including: 12 lower schools, two middle schools, one upper school.
- Voluntary Controlled – the Local Education Authority (LEA) lead on admissions and staffing. The land and buildings are owned by a charitable foundation.
There are 14 Voluntary Controlled schools including: 12 lower schools and two middle schools
- Foundation – The governing body is responsible for staffing and admissions. The school land and buildings are owned by the foundation.
There are four Foundation schools: thress lower schools and one upper school.
The remaining 108 schools are Community schools where staffing, admissions and land are the responsibility of the LEA, which is currently Bedfordshire County Council but will fall under Central Bedfordshire from 1 April 2009.
It includes: 70 lower schools, 20 middle schools, eight upper schools and ten others
To see more facts and figures for Central Bedfordshire click here.
The information on this page has been compiled by the Corporate Projects and Performance Team at South Bedfordshire District Council using information from the Department of Children Schools and Families (DCSF) and Bedfordshire County Council.
