Welcome from our Head Master
About Us
Welcome to one of the finest schools in the country. Nestled in 50 spectacular acres and just 45 minutes from both London and Cambridge, we have proudly upheld a tradition of outstanding education for over five centuries.
Education is, to my mind, a 50/50 proposition. Half of what we do never changes: we aim to produce young men who are good people first and foremost, who work hard to become responsible citizens, full of integrity and with a deep curiosity for (and engagement in) the world around them.
These core values have stood the test of time: reading Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations about how we should live our lives is as fresh today as it was in the second century AD – and we have been here doing that since 1552. However, the other half is about the skills boys will need when they leave here to face a modern, fast paced and challenging world with confidence.
“We are a school at the forefront of entrepreneurship education, which embraces the world of technology and which takes leadership seriously, having created a curriculum which starts at what our boys will need to be happy and successful adults in the next decade and beyond, and works back from there. Boys leave here not just with outstanding grades, but equipped for life.”
And yet we never forget to enjoy today. Having a great education is seriously important: it sets you up for life. But childhood should also be fun. We aim to blend these two in equal measure.
We believe in education in its purest form – that there is something special in every child, which is there to be “led out”; and we provide an extraordinary range of activity to enable exactly that. Boys love it here; and so do we!
Do come to see (and feel) for yourself; and I very much look forward to hosting you.
James Hodgson
Head Master
James Hodgson will be leaving Bedford School at the end of the academic year, after 12 years’ outstanding service to the school. His successor, Michael Sloan, will be the next Head Master.
“I am thrilled to be appointed as the next Head Master of Bedford School. It is a tremendous honour and privilege to be entrusted with the leadership of such a nationally respected and brilliantly distinctive school. My family and I are very much looking forward to joining the Bedford School community, which is clearly defined by its warmth, ambition and sense of purpose.
I am excited to work alongside pupils, staff, parents and alumni to ensure every boy is inspired to fulfil his potential, and to help shape the next chapter in the school’s remarkable story – one that continues to inspire excellence, character and community.”
Michael Sloan
About Michael Sloan
Born in Northern Ireland, Michael was a pupil at Methodist College Belfast and studied Ancient History at Newcastle University, before attending the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst and serving six years as an infantry officer with The Rifles. During his time in the British Army, he deployed on several operational tours to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kosovo – experiences which helped shape his leadership approach and deepened his commitment to service and character development.
Following his military service, Michael trained as a teacher and began his career in education teaching history at Emanuel School, a co-educational senior school in London. He later joined Brighton College, where he rose to the role of Deputy Headmaster, before accepting the Headship at King’s College, Taunton, a school which shares many characteristics with Bedford (including both Prep and Upper Schools, boarding and day, and an international footprint).
Michael joins Bedford School after four successful years in Taunton and will be moving here with his wife, Hannah, and four young boys – Rory, Finley, Milo and Henry – aged 8, 6, 4 and 2.
