"An unpretentious school which has everything a boy could need" - Good Schools Guide 2010
Bedford School is a vibrant, inspiring independent school for boys aged 7-18 years, with a mix of day boys, weekly and full boarders. The School has an established reputation for academic excellence with additional strengths in sport, music, drama and art.
The School is set within an estate of 40 acres in the heart of Bedford, within easy reach of London (just 40 minutes by rail) and its major airports.
"An oasis in the middle of a busy town" - Good Schools Guide 2010
Facilities are virtually unrivalled and include an observatory and planetarium, purpose built library, a music school with state of the art facilities, as well as extensive sports facilities.
Academic Matters
The highly qualified teaching staff are selected on their ability to communicate and inspire. The result is a vibrant, stimulating environment in which every boy is encouraged to build his strengths, to delight in achievement and ultimately, to leave the School with his ambitions extended.
The Bedford curriculum provides a varied choice of subjects that will stir the potential in each pupil and challenge his individual strengths. Academic excellence is high on the agenda and success is clearly demonstrated by a long history of impressive examination results at GCSE, A Level, and in the International Baccalaureate Diploma.
"Here is a school full of bright boys who work hard under excellent teachers and fulfil their potential" - Good Schools Guide 2010
Sport
Bedford School is renowned for its sport, notably Cricket, Rowing, Rugby and Hockey. The School also has a respected Golf Academy. Badminton, Basketball, Athletics, Fencing, Canoeing, Fives, Cross Country, Sailing, Soccer, Squash, Sub Aqua, Swimming, Tennis, Water Polo and Weight Training are amongst numerous sports on offer. Boys also benefit from excellent facilities including a large sports hall, squash courts, 25-metre indoor swimming pool, twin Astroturf pitches and extensive playing fields.
Music, Drama & Art
The Music School is one of the largest in the country and has a full programme of music concerts and performances throughout the year. There are a great number of music groups including the School First (Symphony) Orchestra, Second Orchestra, School Band, Choral Society, Chapel Choir, Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Band and Rock Group. Drama is a popular subject and the School's very own 250 seat Theatre plays host to regular School productions as well as numerous visits by national touring companies. The School has well equipped art, printmaking and sculpture studios.
Clubs & Societies
The School offers a diverse and wide programme of extracurricular activities including the CCF (Combined Cadet Force), Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, Community Service, fund-raising groups, and more than 50 other clubs and societies from Astronomy to Young Enterprise.
Boarding
When boys arrive at Bedford, they are welcomed into a genuinely caring community, where individuals and individuality are valued. At the centre of this community are the boarding houses which are in the care of a Housemaster who has overall responsibility for each pupil and who is that pupil's first and last supporter throughout his time at Bedford. In addition, pupils have their own tutor, who will keep an eye on academic progress, ensure that any problems are resolved, and offer advice and friendship. Housemasters, matrons, tutors and senior pupils all work to ensure that each new pupil settles in quickly and successfully.
Scholarships
Bedford School's Access Award & Scholarship Scheme offers generous funding in recognition of academic, music or sporting potential to provide a wealth of opportunities for boys irrespective of background. Awards are available for boys entering the School at 11, 13 or 16 years.
