Bedford is one of England's local authorities, responsible for 85 schools — 54 primary, 13 secondary, educating around 35,480 pupils. The median teacher salary across Bedford's state-funded schools is £44,870 (2024-25). There are currently 22 open teaching jobs across the authority. Browse schools by town, see how the authority compares, and find teaching jobs in Bedford.
Bedford at a glance
- Local authority
- Bedford
- Nation
- England
- Total schools
- 85
- Primary schools
- 54
- Secondary schools
- 13
- Pupils (state-funded)
- 35,480
- Teachers (FTE)
- 1,710
- Pupil–teacher ratio
- 19.5 (England 18.6)
- Median teacher pay
- £44,870
- Spend per pupil
- £6,740
- Open teaching jobs
- 22
Workforce figures DfE School Workforce Census 2024-25; spending DfE CFR 2024-25; schools & pupils from GIAS. Open Government Licence.
Schools map — Bedford
85 schools in Bedford plotted by location.
Loading map…
Teaching in Bedford
Teacher pay and ratios vs the England average (2024-25).
Source: DfE School Workforce Census, 2024-25, Open Government Licence. Covers all state-funded schools, including academies.
School spending in Bedford
Gross expenditure per pupil — LA-maintained schools (2024-25).
Source: DfE “LA and school expenditure” (CFR), 2024-25, Open Government Licence. Council-maintained schools; academies report separately.
Key services in Bedford
Admissions, term dates, SEND and transport — official council services for Bedford.
Links open official GOV.UK services, which direct you to Bedford’s council by postcode. Always confirm dates and deadlines with the council.
Schools in Bedford
Bedford Free School
Bedford, Bedford· MK42 9AD
525 pupils
Attainment 8: 46.5
Trust: ADVANTAGE SCHOOLS
Great Denham Primary School
Bedford, Bedford· MK40 4GG
677 pupils
KS2: 72% met expected standard
Trust: The Biddenham Campus Trust
Balliol Primary School
Bedford, Bedford· MK42 7ER
384 pupils
KS2: 39% met expected standard
Bedford Academy
Bedford, Bedford· MK42 9TR
1,375 pupils
Attainment 8: 42.8
Trust: HEART ACADEMIES TRUST
Goldington Academy
Bedford, Bedford· MK41 9BX
942 pupils
Attainment 8: 54.3
Trust: GOLDINGTON ACADEMY TRUST
Grange Academy
Bedford, Bedford· MK42 8AU
152 pupils
Attainment 8: 2.6
Trust: BEDFORD INCLUSIVE LEARNING AND TRAINING TRUST
Teaching jobs in Bedford
View 22 open teaching jobs in Bedford →Bedford: frequently asked questions
How many schools are there in Bedford?
Bedford has 85 schools, including 54 primary and 13 secondary schools, educating around 35,480 pupils. This covers state-funded and other schools in the local authority recorded on Get Information About Schools (GIAS).
What is the average teacher salary in Bedford?
The median teacher salary across Bedford's state-funded schools is £44,870 (DfE School Workforce Census 2024-25), below the England average of £47,185. The pupil–teacher ratio is 19.5, against an England average of 18.6.
Who employs teachers in Bedford?
It depends on the school. In council-maintained schools, Bedford local authority is the legal employer; in academies and free schools the academy trust employs staff directly. You can apply for teaching jobs in Bedford through the school, the academy trust, the council or a recruitment agency.
How do I apply for a school place in Bedford?
Apply through Bedford's co-ordinated admissions scheme using your home council — one application covers schools across the authority, including community and voluntary-controlled schools. Use the official GOV.UK service, which routes you to Bedford by postcode; deadlines and catchment rules are set by the council.
Are there teaching jobs in Bedford?
Yes — there are currently 22 open teaching vacancies in Bedford. New roles are listed as schools and trusts publish them.