Castle Newnham School
Academy converter all-through school in Bedford (Bedford).
Location
iSchool location from Get Information about Schools. Nearby schools are coloured by phase. Open Map+ for a full-screen map with neighbourhood deprivation (England only).About
Castle Newnham provides all-through education for children aged 4 to 16 in the heart of Bedford. As part of the Bedfordshire Schools Trust (BEST) , Castle Newnham offers a broad and balanced curriculum designed to foster academic achievement, creativity, physical development, and global citizenship.
Our supportive, highly inclusive school community provides rich opportunities for every child to excel and flourish.
In the school’s own words, from the school website.
Enrichment
5 activitiesiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Computing
- Dance
- Drama
- Music
- Stem
Awards
1 awardiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Sing UpRecognised award
Key facts
- URN
- 151125
- Type
- Academy converter
- Phase
- All-through
- Ages
- 4 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- Does not have a sixth form
- Local authority
- Bedford
- Constituency
- Bedford
- Setting
- Urban: Nearer to a major town or city
- Opened
- 2024
Governing body (9 current, 2 former)
iAcademy trust: local governing body and trust board.Leadership
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ms Helen Ryan | Chair of Local Governing Body | Appointed by GB/board | since 2022 · until 2026 ends 2026 |
Full governing body
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Donna Neely-Hayes | Local Governor | Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal | since 2026 |
| Ms Claudi Schneider | Local Governor | Elected by parents | since 2025 · until 2029 |
| Ms Sarah Fleming | Local Governor | Elected by parents | since 2025 · until 2029 |
| Mrs Hannah Williams | Local Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2025 · until 2029 |
| Mrs Alison Wilshaw | Local Governor | Appointed by foundation/Trust | since 2024 · until 2028 |
| Ms Jennie Cleary | Local Governor | Elected by school staff | since 2024 · until 2028 |
| Ms Lucy Bywater | Local Governor | Nominated by LA and appointed by GB | since 2019 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Mr John Hambley | Local Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2018 · until 2026 ends 2026 |
| Mr Alex Levene Former | Local Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2022 · term ended 2026 |
| Mr Martin Hamilton Former | Local Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2016 · term ended 2026 |
Source: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools (governance records, as at 25 October 2026). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Names are shown as published; there are no addresses or contact details. Current and former are worked out from term end dates when the page loads. Object or ask for removal · Report an issue with this record