Bedford High School, based in Leigh, provides secondary education, serving pupils aged 11 to 16. The school is a community school and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school.
Bedford High School currently has around 1101 pupils on roll, which is about 91% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 48.4% boys and 51.6% girls. Around 37.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. Pupil backgrounds are varied across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 9.1%. Persistent absence is recorded at 29.5%.
The majority of pupils are from a white british background (80.3%).
At its latest Ofsted inspection, the school was rated Good. This suggests the school is performing well overall. Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
Around 91% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (76%) , including 5% who stay in school sixth forms and 53% progressing to further education , while 8% enter apprenticeships .
| Address: | Manchester Road, Leigh, WN7 2LU |
| Website: | http://www.bedfordhighschool.co.uk/ |
| Telephone: | 01942909009 |
| School Type: | Community school |
| Education phase: | Secondary |
| Local authority: | Wigan |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Mr Paul McCaffery |
| Religious character: | Does not apply |
| Admissions policy: | Non-selective |
| Unique reference: | 106523 |
Ofsted inspection date: 03/10/2023
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 11 - 16 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 1210 |
| Number of Pupils: | 1101 |
| Number of Boys: | 533 |
| Number of Girls: | 568 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 9.1% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 29.5% | 8.2% |
| White British | 80.30% | 884 |
| African | 4.30% | 47 |
| Pakistani | 3.50% | 38 |
| Other White | 2.60% | 29 |
| Other Mixed | 2.20% | 24 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 1.80% | 20 |
| Other Asian | 1.60% | 18 |
| Other Black | 0.90% | 10 |
| Chinese | 0.70% | 8 |
| White and Asian | 0.60% | 7 |
| Indian | 0.50% | 6 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.50% | 5 |
| Irish | 0.20% | 2 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 0.20% | 2 |
| White and Black African | 0.10% | 1 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.00% | 0 |
| Caribbean | 0.00% | 0 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.00% | 0 |
| Unclassified | 0.00% | 0 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Thomas' CofE Primary School, Leigh Astley Street , WN7 2AS | - not rated | 749 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Hall Methodist Primary School Breaston Avenue , WN7 3DJ | 3out of 4 | 953 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Hall Methodist Primary School Breaston Avenue , WN7 3DJ | - not rated | 953 yd | Voluntary controlled school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Leigh Mather Lane , WN7 2PW | 3out of 4 | 1,348 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Higher Folds Primary School Queensway , Higher Folds WN7 2XG | - not rated | 1,571 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford High School Manchester Road , WN7 2LU | 3out of 4 | 0 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| St Mary's Catholic High School Manchester Road , Astley M29 7EE | 3out of 4 | 1,889 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Fred Longworth High School Printshop Lane , Tyldesley M29 8JN | 3out of 4 | 2,616 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Fred Longworth High School Printshop Lane , Tyldesley M29 8JN | - not rated | 2,616 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bride Community Church Christian School Kings Park Christian Centre , Leigh Road WN7 1UB | - not rated | 2,518 yd | Other independent school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Kingshill School Elliott Street , Tyldesley M29 8JE | - not rated | 2,656 yd | Community special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Expanse Learning (Expanse Group Ltd) Leigh Sports Stadium, Sale Way , Leigh Sports Village WN7 4JY | - not rated | 2,887 yd | Special post 16 institution | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Cambian Willoughby School C/O Tyldesley School , Shuttle Street M29 8BS | - not rated | 3,120 yd | Other independent special school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Cambian Lunts Heath C/O Cambian Tyldesley School , Shuttle Street M29 8BS | - not rated | 3,120 yd | Other independent special school | No | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.