Mark Rutherford School opened in 1973.  We are a large oversubscribed secondary school in the northern part of Bedford with approximately 1300 students on roll.  We serve a wide-ranging urban catchment area whilst also taking students from other parts of the town and surrounding villages.  We offer a broad and varied curriculum to suit the needs of our students.  We are also keen to support our local community beyond the working day of the school.  Many external organisations hire out rooms and studios to run their sporting clubs, dance lessons or to carry out educational activities.

We are lucky to have a large and pleasant campus with extensive green spaces for sport and recreation.  Our infrastructure offers well-equipped classrooms and other subject specific facilities to support our students with their learning and personal development.  We have two lecture theatres used for assemblies, visiting speakers and school productions.  Two large indoor sports facilities enable students to undertake a wide range of sports and we also have a 3G pitch for students to use for lessons, sporting fixtures and recreational time.  Our recently opened STEM facility houses our planetarium whilst also providing a number of classrooms and a computer room.  Subjects are supported with specialist facilities, for example we have two Food Technology rooms for practical lessons and our A Level Chemistry laboratory in Science ensures our students have access to state-of-the-art facilities to support curriculum delivery.

Our school has many strengths and the arts are a beacon of excellence and an area we are very proud of.  Public performances have been a hallmark and we actively support students with their dance, drama and music skills whilst also providing opportunities to learn about what is required for backstage work, for example, learning to use the sound and lighting equipment.   We currently hold the prestigious Arts Goldmark in recognition of our achievements in this area.  There is a strong competitive emphasis in sport for those who wish to participate in extra-curricular activities.  For our STEM enthusiasts there we offer access to additional qualifications, such as GCSE Astronomy and Sixth Form students lead a weekly club for Key Stage 3 students who have a passion for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

All of our staff are dedicated and committed to raising standards and developing each child to reach their potential.  We have a strong emphasis on academic achievement, backed up by the real knowledge of each student’s individual needs.  Students learn in a positive, healthy and challenging environment.

We are proud of our vibrant and active school community.