School finder
The nearest schools to any postcode in England, with Ofsted grades, ages and pupil numbers. Free
30 nearest schools to MK42 9YD
| School | Type | Ages | Ofsted | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford Academy 1,480 pupils | Secondary | 11–18 | Good Report | 0.7 mi |
| Elstow School 413 pupils | Primary | 4–11 | Report | 0.8 mi |
| Shackleton Primary School 487 pupils | Primary | 4–11 | Good Report | 0.8 mi |
| Daubeney Academy 576 pupils | Secondary | 11–16 | Report | 0.8 mi |
| Cherry Trees Nursery School 147 pupils | Nursery | 2–5 | Report | 0.9 mi |
| Camestone School 408 pupils | Primary | 4–11 | Report | 0.9 mi |
| Springfield Primary School 365 pupils | Primary | 4–11 | Good Report | 0.9 mi |
| King's Oak Primary School 826 pupils | Primary | 1–11 | Good Report | 1.0 mi |
| Cauldwell School 415 pupils | Primary | 4–11 | Report | 1.1 mi |
| Peter Pan Nursery School 118 pupils | Nursery | 2–5 | Report | 1.1 mi |
| St John's School 178 pupils | Academy special converter | 2–19 | Good Report | 1.2 mi |
| Grange Academy 161 pupils | Academy special converter | 5–18 | Good Report | 1.3 mi |
| Bedford Road Primary Academy 365 pupils | Primary | 5–11 | Requires improvement Report | 1.4 mi |
| Bedford Free School 536 pupils | Secondary | 11–16 | Outstanding Report | 1.4 mi |
| Bedford Girls' School 843 pupils | Other independent school Girls | 7–18 | Report | 1.5 mi |
| Lakeview School 436 pupils | Primary | 3–11 | Good Report | 1.5 mi |
| Rivertree Free School 126 pupils | Free schools special | 2–19 | Report | 1.5 mi |
| Shortstown Primary School 479 pupils | Primary | 2–11 | Good Report | 1.6 mi |
| Balliol Primary School 355 pupils | Primary | 2–11 | Good Report | 1.6 mi |
| Greys Education Centre 57 pupils | Academy alternative provision converter | 5–16 | Good Report | 1.6 mi |
| Wixams Tree Primary Academy 559 pupils | Primary | 4–11 | Good Report | 1.7 mi |
| Wixams Academy 903 pupils | Secondary | 11–19 | Requires improvement Report | 1.7 mi |
| Queen's Park Academy 446 pupils | Primary | 2–11 | Good Report | 1.8 mi |
| Priory Primary School 214 pupils | Primary | 3–11 | Report | 1.8 mi |
| Willow Grove Primary School 104 pupils | Primary | 4–11 | Report | 1.8 mi |
| Ridgeway School 125 pupils | Community special school | 2–19 | Report | 1.9 mi |
| Kempston Academy 773 pupils | Secondary | 11–18 | Report | 1.9 mi |
| Westfield Primary School 298 pupils | Primary | 3–11 | Good Report | 2.0 mi |
| Castle Newnham School 624 pupils | All-through | 4–16 | Report | 2.0 mi |
| Polam School 99 pupils | Other independent school | 1–9 | Report | 2.0 mi |
Source: Department for Education (Get Information about Schools) and Ofsted. Grades are from each school's last graded inspection; newer inspections use report cards without a single grade. Distances are straight-line, and catchment areas are set by the council or school.
House prices and more for MK42 9YD
Choosing a school: what the list can and can't tell you
The finder lists the schools closest to a postcode as the crow flies, with their type, age range, number of pupils and latest Ofsted outcome. It's a good starting point, but distance alone doesn't decide who gets a place.
Catchment areas and admissions. Every school has admission criteria, set by the council for community schools and by the school itself for academies, free schools and faith schools. Most give priority to looked-after children and siblings, then to distance, but some use catchment maps, faith or aptitude. Last year's "furthest distance offered" figure, which most councils publish, is far more useful than a straight-line distance.
Ofsted ratings. Older reports give a single grade from Outstanding to Inadequate. Ofsted has since moved to report cards that grade several areas separately, so a recently inspected school may read differently. Check the date too: a grade from many years ago may not reflect the school today.
Before you buy for a school, check the council's admissions booklet for the year you'll apply, visit on an open day, and look at the school's own website for its results and oversubscription criteria. Homes in sought-after catchments often sell at a premium, so it's worth being sure.