We believe that a boy’s education is about much more than academic lessons and qualifications, and so prioritise happiness and success—in that order.
A Pastoral Focus
A boy’s happiness stems from a boy developing confidence in his own ability and learning to navigate for himself all the many activities on offer, and with support and encouragement, they become confident in who they are.
At Bedford School, our house system and vertical tutorial structure lies at the heart of our pastoral care. Through it, boys enjoy shared experiences and common goals, and build strong and meaningful connections with their teachers and each other. We are proud that, through our twinned house system, boys foster an appreciation of others and the benefits of working together, and learn character-building values such as selflessness, humility, kindness and sportsmanship.
Vertical Tutor Groups
Our vertical tutor groups further foster this great sense of community. The familial structure allows new pupils to develop alongside boys further along in their educational journey. Acting as role models, older students adopt positions of responsibility and help younger boys learn and thrive. While the enhanced pupil/teacher relationships that result from time spent together, both inside and outside the classroom, ensure that our staff know and understand the boys, allowing them to support, encourage them throughout their journey through the school, and ensure that each leaves as a good man.
Skills for Life
Through dedicated citizenship mornings every half term, whole school assemblies, lectures, mentoring training and professional development with Ivy House, we provide boys with emotional, social and intellectual skills and knowledge they need for life.
Physical and Mental Health
We place the highest importance on the wellbeing of our boys.
Our on-site medical centre, with its dedicated team of five nurses, offers all boys a kind and professional service. They deliver a high standard of nursing care, aiming to treat every pupil holistically, looking at his social, psychological and physical needs. The medical centre has a treatment room, bedroom and a quiet seating area. A sports therapist/physiotherapist is also usually available twice a week during term time.
The nursing team are available Monday to Saturday and is supported by school Medical Officers, who are local GPs from the De Parys Group. The Medical Officers are available in school each Tuesday and Thursday between 10:30 and 11:30. All full boarders are registered as NHS patients at the De Parys Group upon joining Bedford School.
The school also has a long-established counselling service, which is available five days a week. All boys are free to visit and talk to a school counsellor in complete confidence for help and support during difficult times. Boys can seek help and advice on a wide range of issues. Parents can also be seen and referred to counsellors in their locality if ongoing support is required.
Spiritual Wellbeing
The school Chapel plays an important part in the life of the school community, symbolising Bedfordians past and present and providing a daily reminder of life’s spiritual dimension. While rooted in the Christian tradition, we welcome those of all faiths and none, and our Chaplain offers pastoral counselling and support to any member of the school community who seeks it. Equally, the doors to our Chapel are always open, whether for worship or quiet reflection.
As well as a weekly Chapel Assembly, there is a regular pattern of Church of England services weekly during term time (except at exeat weekends), including compline, as well as regular Morning and Evening Prayer, Holy Communion and Choral Evensong services, to which all members of the school community are welcome.
School meals
All boys join together in our relaxed, modern dining halls to eat each day. Using the finest ingredients, our chefs create a wide variety of exciting, nutritious and delicious meals designed to fuel both body and mind. At lunch each day there is a selection of soups, traditional meals, exciting dishes cooked on the theatre bar, vegetarian and vegan dishes, pasta, jacket potatoes, salads, freshly baked bread, desserts and fresh fruits to choose from. Breakfast and dinner times for boarders are somewhat quieter affairs, but the quality and selection on offer, including house choice nights each week and themed menus, is no less outstanding. We also cater for a wide range of special dietary requirements.
Take a look at our weekly menus for a taste of the food on offer.