Schools

Compare schools before you narrow your move shortlist.

Search by postcode, area, or school name, then compare two live school rows side by side before you narrow the rest of your shortlist.

Open school explorer
Source: Get Information About Schools. Coverage: Live school directory rows matched postcode area MK45.. As of: 04/16/2026.

Key difference

These schools serve different phases of the move decision.

Cotton End Forest School is listed as Primary, while Arnold Academy is listed as All-through. Treat that as the first major fit check before you weigh attendance, size, or local context.

Selected school

Cotton End Forest School

Primary · Bedford · MK45 3AG · 418 pupils · Same postcode area (MK45)

  • Phase: Primary
  • Type: Community school
  • Attendance: Attendance metric unavailable
  • Pupil count: 418 pupils
  • Distance: Same postcode area (MK45)
  • Freshness: Metrics year 2024-2025

Selected school

Arnold Academy

All-through · Central Bedfordshire · MK45 4JZ · 699 pupils · Same postcode area (MK45)

  • Phase: All-through
  • Type: Academy converter
  • Attendance: Attendance metric unavailable
  • Pupil count: 699 pupils
  • Distance: Same postcode area (MK45)
  • Freshness: Metrics year 2024-2025
Side-by-side comparison of Cotton End Forest School and Arnold Academy for the current schools search.
Measure Cotton End Forest School Arnold Academy
Area Bedford Central Bedfordshire
Postcode area MK45 MK45
Phase Primary All-through
Establishment type Community school Academy converter
Attendance Attendance metric unavailable Attendance metric unavailable
Pupil count 418 pupils 699 pupils
Distance Same postcode area (MK45) Same postcode area (MK45)
Latest Ofsted outcome Not judged
Published 29 Jun 2025.
 Good
Published 09 Jul 2023.

What the measures mean

How to read the live comparison

  • Attendance: comes from the current public school metrics seam when that row is available.
  • Pupil count: gives a rough size signal only and does not tell you whether the school is right for your child.
  • Latest Ofsted outcome: is source-aware and can mean a graded judgement, a not-judged inspection, or no current URN match in the current Ofsted feed.

Known caveats

  • Latest Ofsted outcome can mean a graded judgement, a not-judged inspection, or no current URN match in the current Ofsted source, so do not treat it as a complete quality ranking on its own.
  • The current live school seam is England-only through Get Information About Schools, with nation-specific adapters still to come.
  • Distance labels are only precise when the query resolves to an exact postcode with geometry; district and area searches show broader location context instead.

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