Bedford Free School
Contact details for the school

School Name: Bedford Free School
Address: Cauldwell Street
Town/City: Bedford
County: Bedfordshire
Postcode: MK42 9AD
Telephone Number: 01234 332299
Website:

Type of school

Phase: Secondary (ages 11-16)
Type: Free schools
Religious Denomination: None
Admissions Policy: Non-selective
Established: 2012
Trust: Advantage Schools
Sponsor: Advantage Schools Trust

Staff and pupils

Principal: Mr Tom Wood
Capacity: 500
Gender: Mixed

The following details are from a census on 15 January 2026:
Number of pupils: 536 (51% boys & 49% girls)
Enrollment: 107% of capacity
Free school meal eligibility: 29.5%

Location and administration

URN: 138228
DfE Number: 822/4001
UKPRN: 10038073
UPRN: 100081295217
Region: East of England (E12000006)
District: Bedford (E06000055)
Constituency: Bedford (E14001084)
Electoral Ward: Cauldwell (E05014495)

Easting & Northing: 505041E, 249345N
Latitude & Longitude: 52° 7' 59.05" N 0° 27' 59.93" W
Plus Code: 9C4X4GMM+68

External links

DfE Record: View record

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Nearby schools
  1. Bedford College (0.1km)
  2. Bedford Girls' School (0.4km)
  3. Priory Primary School (0.8km)
  4. Peter Pan Nursery School (0.8km)
  5. Cauldwell School (0.9km)
  6. Cherry Trees Nursery School (0.9km)
  7. Shackleton Primary School (1.0km)
  8. Bedford School (1.0km)
  9. Polam School (1.1km)
  10. Castle Newnham School (1.2km)
Associated schools

Same trust

Same sponsor

Governors

  • Mr Manish Amriwala - Shared Local Governor - Establishment. Appointed on 2 January 2026 (Elected by parents). Term runs until 1 January 2030.
  • Mr Manish Amriwala - Shared Local Governor - Establishment. Appointed on 2 January 2024 (Elected by parents). Term runs until 1 January 2026.
  • Mr Manish Amriwala - Shared Chair of Local Governing Body - Establishment. Appointed on 18 September 2026 (Appointed by GB/board). Term runs until 17 September 2027.
  • Ms Helena Brothwell - Shared Local Governor - Establishment. Appointed on 1 September 2022 (Appointed by foundation/Trust). Term runs until 19 December 2025.
  • Ms Kimberley Campbell-Lamb - Shared Local Governor - Establishment. Appointed on 24 March 2026 (Appointed by foundation/Trust). Term runs until 23 March 2030.
  • Mr Matthew Cunningham - Shared Local Governor - Establishment. Appointed on 24 November 2022 (Elected by school staff). Term runs until 20 November 2025.
  • Ms Elham Fardad - Shared Local Governor - Establishment. Appointed on 14 January 2025 (Appointed by foundation/Trust). Term runs until 13 January 2029.
  • Mrs Karyn Godfrey - Shared Local Governor - Establishment. Appointed on 23 September 2024 (Appointed by GB/board). Term runs until 14 October 2026.
  • Mr Malik Griffith-Johnson - Shared Local Governor - Establishment. Appointed on 12 January 2026 (Appointed by foundation/Trust). Term runs until 11 January 2030.
  • Ms Halimah Isbag - Shared Local Governor - Establishment. Appointed on 18 March 2025 (Appointed by foundation/Trust). Term runs until 17 March 2029.
  • Ms Rupinder Judge - Shared Local Governor - Establishment. Appointed on 7 July 2025 (Appointed by GB/board). Term runs until 27 January 2026.
  • Ms Rupinder Judge - Shared Local Governor - Establishment. Appointed on 7 July 2025 (Appointed by GB/board). Term runs until 11 March 2026.
  • Mr Andrew Kelly - Shared Local Governor - Establishment. Appointed on 16 February 2024 (Elected by school staff). Term runs until 15 February 2026.
  • Mr Andrew Kelly - Shared Local Governor - Establishment. Appointed on 16 February 2026 (Appointed by foundation/Trust). Term runs until 15 February 2030.
  • Dr Yasar Khan - Shared Local Governor - Establishment. Appointed on 11 November 2024 (Appointed by foundation/Trust). Term runs until 26 February 2026.
  • Ms Daniela Maran - Shared Local Governor - Establishment. Appointed on 27 March 2023 (Elected by parents). Term runs until 26 March 2027.
  • Mr Montell Neufville - Shared Local Governor - Establishment. Appointed on 23 September 2024 (Appointed by GB/board). Term runs until 22 September 2028.
  • Mr Nigel Syson - Shared Local Governor - Establishment. Appointed on 9 November 2022 (Appointed by GB/board). Term runs until 31 August 2026.
  • Mr Russell Nigel Syson - Chair of Local Governing Body. Appointed on 9 October 2024 (Appointed by GB/board). Term runs until 11 November 2025.
  • Rev Peter Turnbull - Shared Local Governor - Establishment. Appointed on 17 November 2021 (Elected by parents). Term runs until 16 November 2025.
  • Rev Peter Turnbull - Shared Local Governor - Establishment. Appointed on 17 November 2025 (Appointed by foundation/Trust). Term runs until 24 November 2025.
  • Mr Tom Wood - Local Governor. Appointed on 1 September 2025 (Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal).