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 Talk: Freedom of Speech, Part Two
One of the debates I spoke about on Monday about the purpose of university...
Head Master’s Assembly Talk: Freedom of Speech, Part One
Head Master’s Assembly: Freedom of Speech
UK Law. Article 10 of the Human Rights Act...
Head Master’s Assembly Talk: Masada
As you head south down the eastern border of Israel from the Sea of...
Head Master’s Assembly Talk: Thumbs up for Boarding
As we start out on 2019, complete perhaps with some New Year’s resolutions, allow...
Head Master’s Assembly Talk: Governance
I spend a lot of time talking about Old Boys and what they do...
Head Master’s Assembly Talk: Context
I am going to talk to you today a little about context - such...
Head Master’s Assembly Talk: Remembrance
Captain Maurice Asprey was, or at least would have been, my mother’s uncle. It...
Head Master’s Assembly Talk: Statistics
I love statistics. And in this era of big data, as well as infinitesimally...
Head Master’s Assembly: Some Bedford School History Part Two
Jack Hobbs was a late starter. He did not play first class cricket until...
