Bedfordshire Schools Trust News Feed - Latest News

Warm welcome to our new Operations Manager

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:32:57 GMT

Haley Sparrow brings a strong track record in school business management, along with valuable experience and insight from her time at one of our BEST extended Secondary Schools, Etonbury Academy.

BEST Welcomes New Principal for Castle Newnham School in Bedford

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:59:08 GMT

The Governors at Castle Newnham School and the Directors of Bedfordshire Schools Trust (BEST) are delighted to confirm the appointment of Mrs Donna Neely-Hayes as Principal, with effect from April 2026.

Confirmation of CBC investment into Langford Village Academy

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 08:22:25 GMT

The funding from Central Bedfordshire Council will ensure a permanent increase of the Pupil Admission Number from 30 to 45 places per year.

Celebration Opening of Wellbeing Garden

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 19:07:35 GMT

Members of the Trust and School community gathered yesterday for the official launch at Campton Academy

Model United Nations Day

Fri, 6 Feb 2026 12:29:58 GMT

Samuel Whitbread Academy, of the Bedfordshire Schools Trust (BEST), was proud to recently host and take part in a Model United Nations Day, welcoming students from several schools across the surrounding area.

FREE Mindfulness Course for Parents

Thu, 5 Feb 2026 16:00:48 GMT

As part of BEST’s mission to grow mindfulness and its impact across the school community, we are offering free training for the parents and carers of our students.

Castle Newnham All-through and Admissions Consultation

Tue, 6 Jan 2026 14:34:28 GMT

Formal Consultation on the proposal to become an All-Through school and changes to Admission Arrangements.

Etonbury Academy rated Good in all areas by Ofsted

Thu, 5 Feb 2026 14:38:59 GMT

Etonbury Academy has been rated Good in all areas by Ofsted following a two-day inspection in April 2025.

Double national sporting success for Samuel Whitbread

Thu, 5 Feb 2026 14:41:36 GMT

Samuel Whitbread Academy is celebrating not one but TWO national sporting successes on the same day.

Robert Bloomfield Academy rated Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted

Thu, 5 Feb 2026 14:41:18 GMT

Robert Bloomfield Academy has once again been rated Outstanding in all areas in its latest Ofsted inspection.

St Christophers Academy rated Good in all areas by Ofsted

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 16:24:54 GMT

St Christophers Academy has been rated Good in all areas in its latest Ofsted inspection.

Wellbeing in the spotlight at BEST Talking Heads seminar

Mon, 19 May 2025 16:56:45 GMT

Our commitment to prioritising the wellbeing of all at BEST was the focus of our latest Talking Heads session on Wednesday.

BEST appoints new Chief Operating Officer

Mon, 19 May 2025 16:55:56 GMT

We are pleased to announce that Mark Liddiard has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Bedfordshire Schools Trust.

New Campton Principal ready to celebrate school's 150th anniversary

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 09:34:27 GMT

The new Principal of Campton Academy is looking forward to the future – but to begin with will be taking a step back in time.

Announcement: Campton Academy

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:00:52 GMT

We would like to formally announce that Sarah Fraher, Principal of Campton Academy, will be stepping down from the role at February half-term.

New Principal appointment at Pix Brook Academy

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 09:34:50 GMT

We are delighted to announce the appointment of a new Principal at Pix Brook Academy.

Etonbury Academy tops the Government’s performance tables for second year

Wed, 5 Mar 2025 10:01:26 GMT

Etonbury Academy is celebrating securing the highest GCSE results in the area for the second successive year.

BEST Admissions Consultation – September 2026

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 12:55:36 GMT

We have launched a consultation on the BEST Admission Arrangements for September 2026.

A BEST Success Story – BEST and Partnership Education

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 11:40:12 GMT

The latest in our series of success stories from across the Bedfordshire Schools Trust focuses on our long-standing relationship with our ICT provider, Partnership Education.

New Pendleton partnership will maintain sporting provision for whole community

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 11:41:11 GMT

The Bedfordshire Schools Trust (BEST) and InspireAll Leisure & Family Support Services are forging ahead with a new partnership which will continue to provide first-class sporting facilities for the community.

BEST Christmas Card Competition 2024 winners

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 11:40:42 GMT

The winning entries in this year's BEST Christmas Card Competition have been chosen.

FEATURED VACANCY: Principal – Pix Brook Academy

Fri, 6 Dec 2024 08:59:31 GMT

We have announced today that Steve Adams, the first Principal of Pix Brook Academy, will be retiring at the end of this academic year.

Announcement: Pix Brook Academy

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 11:09:59 GMT

We would like to announce that Steve Adams, the first Principal of Pix Brook Academy, will be retiring at the end of this academic year.

BEST receives share of £15m fund for energy efficiency plans

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 15:03:23 GMT

BEST has been awarded a share of a £15m Government fund to help improve energy efficiency.

Ex-pupil comes to Lawnside's aid – over 35 years later!

Thu, 5 Sep 2024 17:00:22 GMT

When Lawnside Academy needed a new boiler installing, Gareth Boness knew it was a job he wanted to help on.

Castle Newnham joins BEST

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 11:10:27 GMT

The 2024/25 academic year marks the start of a new chapter after Castle Newnham officially joined the Bedfordshire Schools Trust.

Results Day 2024: GCSE results up at Samuel Whitbread Academy

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 16:13:04 GMT

Year 11 students at Samuel Whitbread Academy in Clifton are today (Thursday 22 August) celebrating another great set of GCSE and BTEC Level 2 results.

Results Day 2024: Hard work pays off as Etonbury Academy students celebrate GCSE results

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 16:14:27 GMT

Year 11 students at Etonbury Academy are celebrating today (Thursday 22 August) after collecting their GCSE and BTEC Level 2 results.

Results Day 2024: A Level and BTEC grades 'among best ever' at Samuel Whitbread Academy

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 12:56:07 GMT

Year 13 students at Samuel Whitbread Academy in Clifton are today (Thursday 15 August) celebrating some of the school’s best ever A Level and BTEC results.

A BEST Success Story – Gravenhurst Academy: Outstanding Ofsted Report

Mon, 2 Sep 2024 15:34:17 GMT

The latest in our series of success stories from across the Bedfordshire Schools Trust focuses on Gravenhurst Academy’s Outstanding Ofsted report.

Ex-England netball captain Pamela Cookey inspires BEST pupils

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 13:23:47 GMT

A former captain of the England netball team provided a day packed full of inspiration and coaching to pupils at two BEST schools.

BEST Nursery (Arlesey) rated Good by Ofsted

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 15:29:16 GMT

BEST Nursery (Arlesey) has been rated Good in all areas in its latest Ofsted inspection.

Langford Village Academy receives Good Ofsted grading

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 15:29:39 GMT

Langford Village Academy has been rated Good in all areas in its latest Ofsted inspection.

A BEST Success Story – Etonbury Academy's Sixth Form: The First Year

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 15:28:56 GMT

The latest in our series of success stories from across the Bedfordshire Schools Trust focuses on the first year of Etonbury Academy.

Castle Newnham School given approval to join BEST

Mon, 2 Sep 2024 15:34:44 GMT

The Bedfordshire Schools Trust (BEST) is delighted to announce Castle Newnham School has been given the go-ahead to join our trust by the Department for Education.

Gravenhurst Academy rated Outstanding again by Ofsted

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:55:59 GMT

Gravenhurst Academy has been rated Outstanding again in its latest Ofsted inspection.

BEST Nursery (Langford) receives Good Ofsted rating

Thu, 6 Jun 2024 17:03:25 GMT

BEST Nursery (Langford) has been rated Good in all areas in its latest Ofsted inspection.

Etonbury students are Bedfordshire’s best debaters!

Wed, 8 May 2024 15:35:29 GMT

Etonbury Academy has been crowned the best debating team in Bedfordshire after a sterling performance at the Houses of Parliament.

Pix Brook Academy is Good with Outstanding features in first Ofsted report

Thu, 6 Jun 2024 17:02:54 GMT

Pix Brook Academy has been rated Good overall, with Outstanding features, in its first Ofsted inspection.

DfE Regional Director visits BEST

Tue, 2 Apr 2024 09:33:43 GMT

The Department for Education’s Regional Director for the East of England has visited BEST to find out more about the successes of our trust and our schools.

Sixth Form Admission Arrangements Consultation - Samuel Whitbread Academy

Mon, 4 Mar 2024 09:58:28 GMT

Consultation on the Sixth Form Admission Arrangements for Samuel Whitbread Academy (for September 2025).

Castle Newnham School announces intention to join BEST

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 16:25:14 GMT

The growth of BEST looks set to continue after Castle Newnham School announced its intention to join our trust.

BEST Admissions Consultation – September 2025

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 15:58:00 GMT

Consultation on the BEST Admission Arrangements for September 2025.

Etonbury Academy Sixth Form opens

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 16:13:12 GMT

A historic moment has marked the start of the 2023/24 academic year for Etonbury Academy and for BEST – the opening of a new Sixth Form.

New Principal at Etonbury Academy

Tue, 7 Nov 2023 09:53:49 GMT

The new academic year has started with a new Principal in post at Etonbury Academy.

Results Day 2023: Samuel Whitbread Principal's pride at 'great set of GCSE results'

Fri, 8 Sep 2023 15:37:58 GMT

Year 11 students at Samuel Whitbread Academy in Clifton are today (Thursday 24 August) celebrating another great set of GCSE and BTEC results.

Results Day 2023: Etonbury GCSE results well above national average

Fri, 8 Sep 2023 15:37:25 GMT

Year 11 students at Etonbury Academy are celebrating today (Thursday 24 August) after GCSE and BTEC results were released.

Results Day 2023: A Level and BTEC results success at Samuel Whitbread

Fri, 8 Sep 2023 15:37:44 GMT

Year 13 students at Samuel Whitbread Academy are today (Thursday 17 August) celebrating a great set of A Level and BTEC results.

BEST mindfulness features at Inspiring Leadership Conference

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 15:31:26 GMT

The Chief Executive Officer of BEST has taken to the international stage to share the impact mindfulness is having across our trust.

Lawnside Academy receives Good Ofsted rating

Tue, 7 Nov 2023 09:53:25 GMT

Lawnside Academy has been rated Good by Ofsted inspectors.