Located in Bedford, Sharnbrook Academy is a secondary school, serving pupils aged 11 to 18. The school is a academy converter and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It has a none religious character. The school also offers a sixth form, allowing students to continue into post-16 education on site.

Sharnbrook Academy currently has around 1685 pupils on roll, which is about 86% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 50.3% boys and 49.7% girls. Around 12.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The student population reflects a mixed community across different backgrounds and needs.

Overall absence at the school is 8.5%. Persistent absence is recorded at 26.1%.

The majority of pupils are from a white british background (77.9%).

Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.

Around 95% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (91%) , including 59% who stay in school sixth forms and 31% progressing to further education , while 4% enter apprenticeships .

School Information

Address: Odell Road, Bedford, MK44 1JL
Website: https://sharnbrook.academy/
Telephone: 01234782211
School Type: Academy converter
Education phase: Secondary
Local authority: Bedford
Headteacher / Principal: Carly Waterman
Religious character: None
Admissions policy: Non-selective
Unique reference: 136470

Map

Ofsted Inspection

  • Quality of education
  • Behaviour and attitudes
  • Personal development
  • Management effectiveness

Ofsted inspection date: 25/02/2025

Safeguarding is effective

Pupils

General

Age Range: 11 - 18
Gender: Mixed
School Capacity: 1950
Number of Pupils: 1685
Number of Boys: 848
Number of Girls: 837

Absence

SchoolEngland state-funded schools:
Overall absence: 8.5% 4%
Persistent absence: 26.1% 8.2%

Ethnicity

White British77.90%1313
Other (any other ethnic group)3.90%66
African3.00%51
Other Mixed2.70%45
White and Asian2.40%40
Indian2.10%36
White and Black Caribbean1.50%26
Unclassified1.50%25
Other Asian1.00%17
Other White0.90%15
White and Black African0.80%13
Pakistani0.60%10
Irish0.50%9
Chinese0.40%7
Other Black0.30%5
Bangladeshi0.20%3
Caribbean0.10%2
Gypsy/Roma0.10%1
Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage)0.10%1

Education - Secondary

Progress 8 score

Progress 8: Average (0.09)
Of the 265 pupils at the end of key stage 4 in this school, 257 are included in this measure.
Progress 8 score (average over pupils)
School
0.09
Town average
0.18
Local authority average
0.11
England average
-0.03
Entering EBacc
School
30%
Town average
31%
Local authority average
36%
England average
35%
Grade 5+ in English & maths GCSEs
School
43%
Town average
34%
Local authority average
39%
England average
41%
Attainment 8 score
School
47.4
Town average
40.0
Local authority average
42.5
England average
44.6
EBacc average point score
School
4.0
Town average
3.4
Local authority average
3.7
England average
3.9
Staying in education or employment
School
95%

Nearby Schools

Primary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Sharnbrook John Gibbard Lower School
High Street , Sharnbrook MK44 1PF
- not rated 1,177 yd Foundation school Yes Mixed More About School
Sharnbrook Primary
High Street , Sharnbrook MK44 1PF
3out of 4 1,177 yd Academy converter Yes Mixed More About School
Pinchmill Primary School
The Old Road , Felmersham MK43 7JD
- not rated 1,772 yd Foundation school Yes Mixed More About School

Secondary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Sharnbrook Academy
Odell Road , Sharnbrook MK44 1JL
- not rated 0 yd Academy converter Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Sharnbrook Upper School and Community College
Odell Road , Sharnbrook MK44 1JL
- not rated 0 yd Foundation school Not Applicable Mixed More About School

School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.