Bedford School is probably unusual as a Senior Public School in that (in addition to a weekly Chapel service) the Head Master holds two full school assemblies in the Great Hall each week. Each Monday there is a talk from the Head Master and then a talk from another member of the community (often a staff member, but sometimes a current pupil or old boy or indeed visitor) on Friday.

The aim of these assembly talks is to get boys to think, but the talks also encourage groundedness and a sense of gratitude for what they have.  Topics are regularly values-based (not only our four core values of integrity, responsibility, endeavour and curiosity; but also kindness, empathy and the ‘old-fashioned’ values of duty and respect).  However, speakers also draw on current affairs, ethical issues, our sense of shared history and (as part of our wider UK educational duty) ‘fundamental British values’.  We hope these assemblies convey an idea of Head Master’s own values and interests, whilst also providing something of a record of weekly affairs in the school and the wider world.

Head Master’s Assembly: Young Entrepreneurs
I’m going to talk today a little about young entrepreneurship, something which we are...
Head Master’s Assembly: Cardington
The following is an extract from I never knew that about England by Christopher...
Head Master’s Assembly: Brewster’s Millions
What would you do if you suddenly came into a lot of money?  And...
Head Master’s Final Assembly of Term
Academia has been the driving engine of this term, creating a wonderful buzz of...
Head Master’s Assembly: Chapel
I have two thoughts for you today and I’d like to know if you...
Head Master’s Assembly: Academic Grit
I don’t expect you to know who Sir Anthony Seldon is, but I am...
Head Master’s Final Assembly
Welcome to the final assembly for 2023; and before I start, a huge well...
Head Master’s Assembly: Mens Sana in Corpore Sano
Today’s assembly comes from the confluence of two separate aspects of my own weekend. On...
Head Master’s Assembly: Intellectual Curiosity
/I often get asked what it takes to get to one of the very...