About the Trust

The Bedfordshire Schools Trust (BEST) is a multi-academy trust providing exceptional education across a community of 11 schools and five nurseries in Bedfordshire.

BEST was formed in 2016 with six schools as founder members – 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. The Trust has grown significantly in the years since, with a 120% increase in pupil numbers.

In September 2017, St Christophers Academy in Dunstable became the first school to join BEST. Lawnside Academy in Biggleswade and Campton Academy followed in January 2019 and November 2020 respectively, while BEST also opened Pix Brook Academy in Stotfold in September 2019 as a new free school.

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

Growth continued in the form of a new Sixth Form opening at Etonbury Academy in September 2023, and in September 2024 Castle Newnham – an all-through school in the heart of Bedford – joined the Trust.

BEST's first eight years have been a true success story, with improved performance at all key stages, all schools rated Good or better by Ofsted, and strong financial health secured.

We want all of our academies to offer an excellent education. The leadership team brings a wealth of experience to the BEST schools and nurseries, ensuring their continued success. Since the Trust's founding, the schools and nurseries have grown and developed, making the educational journey easier for students of all ages.