2016 Six schools were the founder members of the BEST family – Etonbury Academy, Gothic Mede Academy, Gravenhurst Academy, Langford Village Academy, Robert Bloomfield Academy and Samuel Whitbread Academy – along with two nurseries at Arlesey and Shefford.

2017 St Christophers Academy in Dunstable became the first school to join BEST in September

2019 Lawnside Academy in Biggleswade in January 2019, while BEST also opened Pix Brook Academy in Stotfold – a new free school – in September 2019.

2020 Campton Academy followed in November

2021 Nursery provision has also grown, with Langford added to the facilities under our BEST Nurseries banner in April 2021, with school-based provision at Gothic Mede and St Christophers Academies bringing the total number of nurseries to five.

2023 Growth continued in the form of a new Sixth Form opening at Etonbury Academy in September 2023.

2024 Castle Newnham in Bedford joined BEST in September.

With performance up in all key stages, all schools rated Good or better by Ofsted and strong financial health secured, the formative years of BEST have been a true success story.

BEST is in a great position. A proven track record of success and direction from the Big Community Listen; highly talented and dedicated staff and governors; supportive parents/carers and the most wonderful young people ever, all promise that the future for BEST is about to get even better.
Dr Alan Lee, CEO, BEST

This year we are celebrating 10 Years of BEST, you can discover more about our history and enjoy our special anniversary edition of The Best of BEST!