While the cancellation of exams, marking algorithms and various U-turns may have dominated the headlines of late, there is another side to the story which we are pleased to be able to share.
Our Upper Sixth boys’ careers at Bedford ended abruptly this summer as a result of the pandemic, which also took with it their opportunity to show all the knowledge and understanding they had amassed. It was a wretched way for this lovely year group to end their time here. Nonetheless, thanks to their dedication, perseverance and hard work, they have achieved some incredible results in terms of university destinations.
An impressive 87% of boys will go on to either a Russell Group or Times Top 30 university this autumn. The most popular destinations this year were Durham, Nottingham and Loughborough, and the seven boys who received Oxbridge offers will all take up their places this October, four at Oxford and three at Cambridge. Equally exciting is the range of degrees that they will read, which range from Aerospace Engineering to Architecture, Construction Engineering Management to Medical Physiology and Therapeutics.
Outside of the UCAS system, the range of futures is equally exciting with boys earning places at top universities across the world, including Columbia, Emory and the Christian Brother universities in the States, Hong Kong University and Keio University in Japan. Boys have also gained places on degree apprenticeships with leading firms, professional premiership sports academy contracts and direct employment with leading firms, while others have opted to take gap years.
James Hodgson, Head Master, told us, “I am incredibly proud of all the boys and all they have achieved, academically and otherwise, in the years they have been here. I stand steadfast in the belief that academic results themselves only matter in so far as choice over the next stage is concerned; far more important is that each boy leaves us as a good man, secure in his values, happy and with the self-knowledge and self-worth to take the next step in his journey. The resilience and determination shown by the boys shown over the last few months has been a great credit to them all. They are a wonderful group of boys who have strong and exciting futures ahead of them. I am confident that their university places and the other pathways chosen will, ultimately, enable them to continue to shine.”