Bedford Academy says it is the highest performing sixth form in the town, after new Department for Education performance data showed its students made more progress at A-level than those at any other Bedford provider.
The newly published 16 to 18 results show Bedford Academy achieved an A-level Value Added score of +0.36, rated as above average.
According to the school, this places its sixth form at the top for student progress across Bedford and reflects what leaders describe as sustained improvement in the quality of teaching and support.
Key performance data
The 2025 performance measures published by the DfE show:
- A-level Progress (Value Added): +0.36 (Above Average)
- Vocational Value Added: +0.40
- Average A-level grade: C+
- Strong outcomes across students’ best three A-levels
Value-added scores are designed to show the progress students make from their starting points. A positive score means students achieved higher grades than similar students nationally.
Headteacher Chris Deller said: “Outcomes like these are recognition of the hard work and perseverance of students and staff who have extremely high aspirations for our community.
“We are delighted that we have moved up to the top spot and will look to build on this success moving forward.”
Growing sixth form
The academy, which is part of HEART Academies Trust, said the results underline the progress made in post-16 provision in recent years, with investment in curriculum breadth, enrichment, careers guidance and leadership development.
Head of Sixth Form, Lucy Harrop, said: “We are delighted with the summer 2025 results as well as the growth of the Sixth Form over the last five years. It truly replicates the ongoing hard work of staff and students and is fantastic for the community.”
