The academic year for all pupils begins on Friday 4th September.
Please see the latest editions of the Castle Connect for further information.
Welcome to Castle Newnham All-Through School – proudly part of the Bedfordshire Schools Trust (BEST).
I am very proud to be the Principal of this lovely school at the heart of Bedford, offering high-quality and ambitious education and care for pupils from Reception up to age 16. Our CORE values of Community, Opportunity, Respect and Excellence underpin our work across our whole school and help guide us in serving our children and families.
Mrs Donna Neely-Hayes - Principal

The Castle Newnham Connect - Spring Term 2026 is now available to view.
Our Vision: Becoming an All-Through School Formal Consultation on the Proposal to Become an All-Through School and Changes to Admission Arrangements
In accordance with the statutory requirements set out in the School Admissions Code, the Bedfordshire Schools Trust (BEST) is required to undertake a six-week consultation on proposed changes to...
Join us for the Secondary Open Evening on Tuesday 8th October at 6pm - 8pm.
Please visit our Box Office to book your ticket for the Primary Open Events in advance
A message from Mrs Neely-Hayes: If you could have stepped into our school today, you would have felt it instantly. The energy in the room during our Day 1 Staff INSET was electric, focused and bursting with purpose. We didn't just spend today prepping classrooms and reviewing schedules. We spent it aligning on a shared vision. The momentum building across our team right now is incredible, and make no mistake: WE ARE ON A MISSION This academic year isn't just about incremental progress. It is about total transformation. We are raising the bar for what education looks like, raising expectations for what our pupils can achieve, and building a community where every single child thrives, not just this year, but for years to come. Welcome to the new academic year. Let's make history together #TeamCastle #CastleNewnham #AllThroughSchool
The academic year is officially underway! Our staff started the term together with a wonderful welcome breakfast featuring fresh pastries from our catering team and coffee from Blended Coffee Co Mrs Neely-Hayes opened the morning by reflecting on the remarkable achievements of the past year and thanking the team for their sustained hard work. Looking forward, we established a clear vision for the year ahead, refining our core commitments and non-negotiables to ensure every student reaches their full potential.
Having trouble accessing MCAS? Please check your emails!
Check your MCAS! The summer edition of the Castle Connect is here and filled with all information you will need ahead of the new academic year. If you are experiencing any issues accessing your MCAS app or the attachment, please go to the Castle Connect section of our website: https://www.castlenewnham.school/newsletter
Today marks a momentous day of celebration as Year 11 pupils across Castle Newnham officially collect their GCSE and vocational qualifications. Following years of rigorous study and determination, pupils have achieved exceptional results, laying strong foundations for their next steps into higher education, vocational training, and modern apprenticeships. The atmosphere across the school this morning was filled with joy, relief, and optimism as family members, teachers, and school leaders gathered alongside pupils to share in their success. Early indications highlight impressive improvements across a wide range of subjects. Today is a day of immense pride and celebration across our entire school community as our pupils receive their GCSE results. These achievements reflect years of dedication, resilience, and hard work, supported every step of the way by our exceptional staff and families. This year's results demonstrate remarkable academic growth and individual success across the entire year group. We have seen a significant increase in Grades 9–5 across English, Science, and Art & Design, alongside exceptional 9–7 performance in Music, Spanish, and Religious Education. Crucially, we are delighted to report a clear uplift in our headline measures for combined English and Mathematics across all performance levels. Whether our students are stepping into our Sixth Form, pursuing technical qualifications, or launching apprenticeships, they leave this stage of their education with strong foundations and exciting futures ahead. On behalf of the entire school community, I congratulate every single one of them on their success and wish them the very best in their next steps.
South Site - Reception to Year 4
Goldington Road
Bedford
MK40 3EP
North Site - Year 5 to Year 11
Polhill Avenue
Bedford
MK41 9DT
01234 303403cnprimary@bestacademies.org.ukcnsecondary@bestacademies.org.uk