A Warm
Welcome
Admissions
A very warm welcome to Bedford School. We are here to help you explore everything that makes Bedford special, and to support you throughout your admissions journey.
Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions a family makes. Our Admissions Team is here to help you explore whether Bedford is the right place for your child, answering questions, providing guidance and ensuring that the process feels straightforward and informative from your first enquiry onwards.
This is a significant moment in Bedford’s history. From September 2027, we will welcome girls throughout the Prep and Upper Schools for the first time, opening a new chapter for the school while building on the qualities that generations of families have valued: academic ambition, exceptional pastoral care, a thriving house system, outstanding opportunities in sport and co-curricular life, and a strong sense of community.
The best way to understand Bedford is to visit. Whether you attend an open event or arrange a private tour, we would be delighted to show you around, answer your questions and give you a genuine sense of daily life here, whether as a day pupil or as part of our boarding community.
Every child is different, and as a family, the task is not simply to find an excellent school, but to find the school in which your child will thrive. The details ion our Admissions pages are intended to support that process, and we would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
We look forward to welcoming you to Bedford.
Richard Midgley
Director of Admissions
Bedford in Numbers
different nationalities represented by our pupils
minutes to London by train
of pupils went on to Russell Group or Times Top 30 Universities in 2026
How to Join the Prep School
Ages 7 – 13
Bedford Prep School offers exciting adventures in learning for pupils aged seven (Year 3) to 13 (Year 8). Within this warm and friendly environment, pupils explore, succeed and excel. Each fresh page they turn gives them the confidence and ability to embrace the challenges of an exciting, diverse and fast-changing world.
How to Join the Upper School
Ages 13 – 16
The teenage years are exciting and full of boldness, creativity and fun; they are also as fragile as they are pivotal. Whilst constantly aiming to inspire (high-quality teaching, strong relationships and a wonderful environment combine to achieve this), Bedford School also provides a safe framework from which such energy can thrive.
How to Join the Sixth Form
Ages 16 – 18
The Sixth Form is where pupils begin to shape their future beyond Bedford. We equip every pupil with the skills they need to succeed. We offer structure and choice, a strong co-curricular programme and opportunities for self-development through leadership and service.
Joining from Overseas
Bedford School is a truly international community, and we warmly welcome pupils from all over the world.
Where do Bedford pupils come from?
Local
An extensive network of 28 school buses operates across Bedfordshire, from Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, including late buses for pupils involved in activities after school. Trains run regularly from St Albans north to Bedford and down from Kettering and Wellingborough, with a short walk for pupils from the station to and from school.
TransportLondon
Bedford Railway Station offers excellent links into London. London St Pancras International is just 40 minutes away, and with trains every 10 minutes at rush hour and two fast trains every hour it is an ideal option for weekly boarders.
TransportInternational
London’s international airports at Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton are all easily accessed by both road and rail from Bedford.
Transport
