Founded in 1552, Bedford School is a boarding and day school for boys aged 7 to 18. At Bedford, their mission is to teach boys to think intelligently, act wisely and be fully engaged in a challenging and changing world. They seek to raise good people, first and foremost, and then to allow them to flourish as academics, as sportsmen, as artists and above all as themselves, in a supportive and ambitious atmosphere.
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Bedford School believes in educating good people first. In a setting designed for boys, students grow in confidence, free to take on new challenges without hesitation. Kindness, resilience, and independent thinking are at the heart of school life.
Boarding is at the heart of the school’s community. Each of our boarding houses offers a true ‘home from home’ atmosphere, with day and boarding houses paired for activities, competitions and social events. This structure fosters friendships and a strong sense of belonging for every boy. Each house is distinctive, a genuinely warm and welcoming community with a character of its own.
The school encourages intellectual curiosity and a love of learning, helping students prepare for a wide range of future pathways. Our broad and traditional curriculum prepares boys for GCSE and IGCSE exams and A-Level and BTEC qualifications in the Sixth Form. Our teachers offer a variety of different teaching styles in small class sizes.
From beginner to elite athlete, Bedford School offers every boy the opportunity to participate and develop in a wide range of sporting activities. Sport is valued not only for the health and fitness benefits it provides but also for the values of enjoyment, discipline, independence, camaraderie and teamwork.
Many Bedford School students excel in sports, and we most of their sports teams compete at the highest national levels. Their impressive list of sporting alumni includes Alastair Cook (England cricketer), olympic rowers Phelan Hill (Team GB) and Benedict Eggeling (Germany), Team GB cyclist Ethan Vernon and Northampton Saints and England Rugby players Fraser Dingwall and George Furbank.
The school’s sporting facilities include immaculately kept grass pitches, a floodlit AstroTurf complex, a 25m indoor swimming pool, tennis and squash courts, a climbing wall, a well-equipped fitness centre, a rowing performance centre and a golf simulator. The Bedford School Boat Club, dating back to 1861, with its boathouse on the River Great Ouse, is a central part of school life, and has produced several Olympians.
The Creative Arts thrive at Bedford School. Each and every term, boys’ talents are showcased through a vast array of art exhibitions, concerts, recitals and drama productions. The Music department is housed in its own state-of-the-art building, complete with a recital hall, dedicated classrooms and instrumental teaching rooms, as well as a multi-track recording studio. A diverse range of music is studied and there are many orchestras, choirs, bands and ensembles who have regular opportunities to perform.
The Art School has three specialist studios for painting, printmaking and sculpture so students work within the broad boundaries of Fine Art. Many Bedford School art students continue with their studies at high profile universities and art colleges with courses including fine art, history of art, design, architecture and Art Foundation courses.
Drama thrives in the school's stunning Quarry Theatre at St Luke’s, which is an impressive performing arts facility. Boys not only benefit from a beautiful 286-seat theatre, but also a fully equipped drama studio. These excellent facilities, which are fully equipped with lighting and sound provision, are used for academic lessons, LAMDA Speech and Drama classes, as well as productions and performances.
Alastair Cook (Cricketer: England Captain), Lord Ashdown (Politician), Harold Abrahams (Olympic Sprinter: Gold Medallist/ Chariots of Fire)
Hockey holds a special place at British boarding schools, with dedicated training sessions and competitive matches that allow students to grow and excel in the sport.
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