What The Bedford Sixth Form does

The Bedford Sixth Form is a standalone state-funded sixth form college established in 2012 and operating from a refurbished Victorian building on Bromham Road in Bedford town centre, England. It is the only dedicated standalone sixth form in Bedford, purpose-built for 16-18 year olds and free from younger year groups. The institution is a constituent member of The Bedford College Group, which provides shared governance, back-office services, and progression routes alongside Bedford College, Tresham College, Shuttleworth College, The National College for Motorsport, The Corby Sixth Form, and others. The institution is actively recruiting for September 2026 entry.

The core academic offering consists of over 30 A-Level subjects across sciences, humanities, social sciences, business, and the arts, complemented by Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs) such as Applied Science and Health & Social Care and an OCR Sport Extended Certificate. Students typically study three A-Levels or a combination of A-Levels with an AAQ. Learning is delivered on a single Bedford campus supported by a Moodle-based Virtual Learning Environment, with prospective-student management handled through the Radius CRM and live chat via Zendesk. Supporting services include UCAS and careers guidance, a Travel Bursary (up to £720 per year), an Alumni Network, a Student Ambassador programme, and Enhancement Activities such as debating, chess, and book clubs.

Revenue is generated via UK government 16-19 study-programme funding rather than tuition; courses are free for 16-18 year olds, with optional costs for textbooks, trips, and specialist equipment. Marketing and recruitment are direct-to-consumer, relying on the institution's website, blog, social channels (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, X), school visits, open days, and taster sessions to engage Year 11 students and their parents across Bedford Borough and surrounding towns. The Bedford Sixth Form was rated 'Good in all areas' by Ofsted in October 2024 and reports progression outcomes to 16 of the 24 Russell Group universities including Oxbridge colleges.

Name

The Bedford Sixth Form

Legal name

The Bedford Sixth Form

Website

https://bedfordsixthform.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Bedford Sixth Form is a standalone state-funded sixth form college in Bedford, England, offering over 30 A-Level subjects and AAQs exclusively to 16-18 year olds preparing for university, including Russell Group and Oxbridge progression.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sixth Form / Post-16 Further Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Junior Colleges (6112)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth-to-Adult Bridge & College Readiness (Noncredit) (EDAAAEAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

College & Career Transition Services (Bridge Programs, Dual Enrollment Pathways) (EDAAABAK)

Keywords

• Sixth form education
• A-Level courses
• Post-GCSE education
• Further education college
• University preparation

Headquarters

HQ city

Bedford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Education: As a state-funded sixth form college, The Bedford Sixth Form receives government funding based on student enrollment. Courses are free for students aged 16-18 years old, funded through the education budget.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Bedford Sixth Form provides full-time post-GCSE academic education for 16-18 year olds, offering over 30 A-Level subjects alongside Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs) such as Applied Science and Health & Social Care. Courses are free for students aged 16-18 and are funded by the UK government education budget, with the institution supporting progression to Russell Group universities including Oxbridge.

Product overview

The Bedford Sixth Form is a standalone sixth form college offering a unified educational service focused exclusively on 16-18 year olds. The core academic portfolio consists of over 30 A-Level subjects and Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs) including Applied Science and Health & Social Care. Students typically study three A-Levels or one AAQ plus two A-Levels. The institution supplements its academic offering with a Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle), travel bursaries for eligible students, an Alumni Network for progression support, Student Ambassador leadership opportunities, and diverse enhancement activities. The institution is part of The Bedford College Group, providing progression pathways to Russell Group universities and higher education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• A-Level Courses Two-year linear A-Level qualifications across more than 30 subjects in sciences, humanities, social sciences, business, and the arts, designed for 16-18 year old students preparing for university entrance.
• Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs) Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualifications such as Applied Science AAQ and Health & Social Care AAQ, offered alongside A-Levels as vocational-academic pathways.
• Sport Extended Certificate OCR Level 3 Extended Certificate in Sport, equivalent to one A-Level, covering sports coaching, anatomy, physiology, and sports psychology across five units over two years.
• Health & Social Care AAQ OCR Cambridge Technical in Health and Social Care Extended Certificate, equivalent to one A-Level, covering anatomy, physiology, mental health support, and nutrition.

Quantifiable outcome

• 16 of 24 Russell Group universities
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration13 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• The Bedford College GroupcoreOthersThe Bedford Sixth Form is part of The Bedford College Group, which comprises Bedford College, Central Bedfordshire College, Tresham College, Shuttleworth College, The National College for Motorsport, The Corby Sixth Form, and The Learning Partnership. The legal entity is The Bedford College Group.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Long Road Sixth Form College: A standalone sixth form college in Cambridge offering A-Levels, BTecs and vocational qualifications to 16-19 year olds. Comparable as a standalone sixth form college serving a regional catchment with similar subject portfolio and student demographic.
• Woodhouse College: A standalone sixth form college in North Finchley, London offering A-Levels to 16-19 year olds. Comparable as a dedicated standalone sixth form with strong university progression focus and adult-environment positioning.
• Hills Road Sixth Form College: A leading standalone sixth form college in Cambridge offering A-Levels to 16-19 year olds with a strong Russell Group progression record. Directly comparable as a large standalone sixth form with similar subject breadth and university progression focus.
• Cirencester College: A further education college in Gloucestershire offering A-Levels and vocational courses to 16-19 year olds. Comparable as a regional sixth form provider with similar subject breadth and university progression support.
• Hereford Sixth Form College: A standalone sixth form college in Herefordshire offering A-Levels and vocational qualifications to 16-18 year olds. Comparable as a regional standalone sixth form with similar rural/town catchment profile and post-GCSE focus.
• Central Bedfordshire College: A further education college within the same Bedford College Group offering A-Levels and vocational qualifications in Central Bedfordshire. Comparable as a sister institution with shared governance and overlapping catchment, creating both direct collaboration and potential cannibalisation.
• Richard Taunton Sixth Form College: A standalone sixth form college in Southampton offering A-Levels and BTecs to 16-18 year olds. Comparable as a regional standalone sixth form with similar curriculum and progression pathways.
• The Corby Sixth Form: A sister sixth form college also part of The Bedford College Group, offering A-Levels and vocational qualifications to 16-18 year olds in Corby, Northamptonshire. Directly comparable as a standalone sixth form within the same parent organisation with similar subject portfolio and operating model.
• Leyton Sixth Form College: A standalone sixth form college in East London offering A-Levels and vocational qualifications to 16-19 year olds. Comparable as a standalone sixth form with broad subject portfolio and similar student demographic focus.

Regional players

• North Hertfordshire College: A further education college in Hitchin, North Hertfordshire offering A-Levels and vocational courses. Comparable as a regional post-16 provider in the same broader East of England region, though it serves a different town catchment and combines A-Levels with full vocational provision.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/bedfordsixthform
• Instagraminstagram.com/thebedfordsixthform
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQKp2vKq3W1WvgXnLv9LhLA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-bedford-sixth-form

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Bedford Sixth Form