Bedford School archives are an essential resource for preserving the history and heritage of our school. The archives include collections of documents (including the Ousel), photographs, objects, and other materials that provide a record of our past. The records highlight the growth and development of the school as well as charting the lives of our staff, students and Old Bedfordians. They are testament to the hard work, dedication, and achievements of the school’s community, and help to preserve its legacy for future generations.
In addition, they provide an invaluable resource for historians, scholars, and students who are interested in studying the history of education at the school, including changes in the curriculum, teaching methods, and the school culture over time.
Finally, they are important for memory preservation, ensuring that memories are not lost over time and that a sense of pride and belonging is maintained.
In 2014, the Bedford School Trust, as it was then known, provided funding to digitalise the Ousel archives and launched the Bedford School heritage site. Since then, new articles and pictures have been regularly uploaded adding to the treasure trove of information available. In 2022, a further grant was provided to upgrade the existing platform and, more importantly, to provide general access to anyone in the school community who wanted to conduct research, or simply learn more about the school. Since we opened it up to a wider audience, we have seen a significant increase in its use.
If you want to discover more about the history of the school, connect with the past or solve a mystery, our heritage site provides a fascinating and rewarding place to explore, and it is FREE!