james surtees phillpotts’ bursaries programme

Throughout its long history, Bedford School and its pupils have benefited from generous philanthropists and gifts from donors.  Indeed, the school would not have come into being without the foresight of Sir William Harpur and his original act of benefaction in 1556. Our ambition to ensure that boys with talent and promise can reach their full potential is stronger now than ever.  Today, the James Surtees Phillpotts’ Bursaries Programme enables us to offer the best possible education to boys from families who would not ordinarily be able to attend Bedford School.

Supporting Bursaries Provision at Bedford

FAQs

Why do we offer Bursaries to families that really need them?

You only have to walk through the gates to realise what a privileged and wonderful environment we all work, grow and learn in.  With privilege comes great responsibility and we feel very strongly that we have a moral responsibility to open up a first-class education to as many people as possible.

Do Bursary recipients enrich School life?

Everybody wins from having a good group of bursary recipients in the school.  As with all our boys,  they bring with them their own varied talents across all aspects of school life but they also often have a slightly different outlook on life, which brings a richness and diversity of opinion and background.

Are all boys treated equally?

We currently have about 50 boys in the school who pay less than 20% of fees, and we make a conscious effort to treat all boys in exactly the same way.  There is no difference in curricular or extracurricular activity, and we just get on with life together.  We have a member of staff who is responsible for ensuring that our bursary recipients receive all the support they need to integrate into school life and thrive while they are here.

Will Bedford School be good for my son's grades?

9% of pupils in local state schools gain places at Russell Group Universities.  In comparison, of those boys who receive a significant Bursary (parents pay less than 20% of fees) at Bedford School, 61% have gone into Russell Group Universities in the last 6 years which, research shows, will significantly improve their life-chances and earning potential.

Is there more to do outside of the classroom?

Our extracurricular programme is as important to us as our academic provision. Exam performance is important, but we focus on helping our pupils become well-rounded, morally-conscious young men who are engaged with the world around them. Across sport, drama, music, art and our community programme, there is, almost invariably, something that will appeal to any boy that studies here.

What about life beyond School

When a boy leaves Bedford School they immediately become a member of the OB Club, one of the oldest alumni associations in the UK. The lived experience of school life is something that unifies Old Bedfordians across all generations and our more established past-pupils are always keen to support younger generations to succeed professionally and personally. The OB Club offices are based in the main building and the team work tirelessly to offer a programme of events, career support, and communications that unite the OB community for life.

Do Bursary recipients regret joining Bedford School?

Some Bursary recipients tell us that they felt very much out of their comfort zone when they started thinking about the process of joining the school.  However, when they finish their time here, they almost always say that it was the best thing that they ever did, and they would never turn the clock back or think of doing anything differently.

A conversation about Bursaries

Hear from the Headmaster about Bursaries at Bedford School