Bedford Free School vs Castle Newnham School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in East of England, England, 1.2 km apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Bedford Free School
Bedford · Academy secondary · Ages 11–16
536 students
Castle Newnham School
Bedford · Academy all-through · Ages 4–16
624 students
| Measure | Bedford Free School Bedford, East of England | Castle Newnham School Bedford, East of England |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 49 Top 50% | 68 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #241 of 460 | #137 of 460 |
| National rank | #2006 of 4,090 | #1126 of 4,090 |
| Sector | Academy | Academy |
| Type | Secondary | All-through |
| Year range | Ages 11–16 | Ages 4–16 |
| Students | 536 | 624 |
| Pupils on roll | 536 | 624 |
| Free school meals | 29.5% | 9.6% |
| Capacity filled | 107.2% | 45.2% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | – | 67% |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | – | 8% |
| KS2 reading progress | – | – |
| KS2 writing progress | – | – |
| KS2 maths progress | – | – |
| Attainment 8 | 46.5 | – |
| Progress 8 | – | – |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | 36.7% | – |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | 62.2% | – |
| EBacc average points | 4.51 | – |
| A level points per entry | – | – |
| town | Bedford | Bedford |
| region | East of England | East of England |
| Website | www.bedfordfreeschool.co.uk/ | castlenewnham.school/ |
The verdict
- •Castle Newnham School scores higher on the Success Index (England) (67.6 vs 49.2).
- •Castle Newnham School is the larger school with 624 students compared with 536.
The Success Index (England) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Bedford Free School better than Castle Newnham School?
On the Success Index (England), Castle Newnham School ranks higher (67.6 vs 49.2 out of 100). The index is built from published results and context data, not from teaching quality or fit, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Bedford Free School and Castle Newnham School?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Bedford and Bedford in East of England.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
Bedford Free School: 536. Castle Newnham School: 624. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do Bedford Free School and Castle Newnham School rank in East of England?
Bedford Free School is 241st of 460 and Castle Newnham School is 137th of 460 among secondary schools in East of England on the 2025 Success Index (England).