Upper School Entry Requirements 

Entry to the Upper School

Entry to the Upper School usually occurs at ages 13 and 16.  Occasionally, we have boys enter at age 14 into our Remove Form (year 10).  Except in the case of candidates joining for our Pre-IB familiarisation course, it is not normally possible to join the Fifth Form (year 11) or to join the Upper Sixth Form (year 13).

At 13+

Many boys transfer through from Bedford Preparatory School.  Progression is by means of either the Bedford School Academic Scholarship and Access Assessments which take place in January/February or the end of year 8 examination.

Candidates entering The Upper School from other Preparatory Schools are required to sit the Bedford School Academic Scholarship and Access Award Assessments which seek to test boys' academic potential.  . 

All other candidates entering at 13+ sit the Bedford School Academic Scholarship and Access Award Assessments together with additional tests designed to examine candidates' foundational knowledge in the key subject areas of Mathematics and English.

Candidates entering at 14+ sit a verbal reasoning test together with conventional entrance papers in mathematics, English, science and a modern language.

Boys may also enter the School at age 16.  The entrance procedure includes an academic assessment and interviews with the Head Master, Deputy Head (Academic) and relevant Heads of Departments.

Sixth Form Entry

For AS and Advanced Level courses the likely entrance requirement for boys joining the School is six passes at GCSE (grade C or higher), with a minimum of B grades in subjects chosen for study.