Co-curricular
At Bedford Prep, education goes far beyond the classroom. We help pupils discover new talents, develop skills and grow in confidence.
Way Beyond the Classroom
There is more to a happy childhood than academic success. Time spent exploring interests, discovering new talents, being active and enjoying friends is just as important.
That is why co-curricular life plays such a central role at Bedford Prep. With dedicated time before school, after school and during our long lunch breaks, pupils can immerse themselves in a wide range of activities, from sport and music to art, drama, outdoor learning and much more.
These experiences help pupils develop confidence, character and a strong sense of belonging, while discovering passions that often stay with them for life.
Clubs and Activities
Our extensive activity programme gives pupils the chance to explore both sporting and non-sporting interests—and the vast majority come at no extra cost.
With time built into the school day, pupils can dive into clubs during lunch, before or after school. They might sing in Choral Beans or learn the strategy of chess. Early morning swims come with hot chocolate and breakfast, while other favourites include coding with Lego, caring for animals, robotics and stargazing in our very own observatory and planetarium.
< Chapel Choir
Clubs and Activities
Our extensive activity programme gives pupils the chance to explore both sporting and non-sporting interests—and the vast majority come at no extra cost.
With time built into the school day, pupils can dive into clubs during lunch, before or after school. They might sing in Choral Beans or learn the strategy of chess. Early morning swims come with hot chocolate and breakfast, while other favourites include coding with Lego, caring for animals, robotics and stargazing in our very own observatory and planetarium.
< Animal Care Club
Clubs and Activities
Our extensive activity programme gives pupils the chance to explore both sporting and non-sporting interests—and the vast majority come at no extra cost.
With time built into the school day, pupils can dive into clubs during lunch, before or after school. They might sing in Choral Beans or learn the strategy of chess. Early morning swims come with hot chocolate and breakfast, while other favourites include coding with Lego, caring for animals, robotics and stargazing in our very own observatory and planetarium.
< Robotics Club
clubs and activities taking place every week
orchestras, ensembles and choirs
animals to care for
Sport
Sport is a big part of life at Bedford Prep. Boys and girls discover a wide range of sports in PE and games lessons, then follow up on favourites—or try something new—through co-curricular sessions.
From football and netball to cricket nets, golf and tennis, there’s sport club to spark every pupil’s interest.
Creative Arts
Drama
Taught both as a subject and through English, Drama is brought to life in termly productions. Performances take place in either our Erskine May Hall, the stunning Quarry Theatre or its gardens. Pupils can also get involved backstage in lighting, set design and stage management.
Nearly 40% of pupils take weekly Speech and Drama lessons, with many achieving outstanding results at the Bedfordshire Festival of Music, Speech and Drama.
Drama helps pupils speak with confidence and perform with assurance—skills that last a lifetime.
Music
Music gives pupils a creative outlet, builds confidence and fosters a strong sense of belonging. It helps them grow as individuals while connecting with others through shared experiences.
We encourage pupils to take up an instrument and offer every pupil in Years 5 and 6 two full years of free starter lessons to try out instruments. We are proud to say that a third of pupils go on to learn an instrument as a result—and 20% learn more than one.
Music is taught both in our dedicated music rooms within the Prep School and in the main Music School, and pupils can join a wide range of groups, from orchestras to ensembles to choirs.
Regular informal concerts build confidence in front of an audience, while our Autumn and Summer concerts in the Great Hall give pupils the chance to shine on the big stage. They also benefit from our Music Fellowship Programme, meeting outstanding musicians and taking part in workshops and masterclasses across the different areas of music.
Art and DT
From day one, we nurture each pupil’s creativity and imagination in Art and DT.
In our dedicated studios in the Prep School, pupils explore a wide range of techniques in a safe, open environment. We encourage them to express their ideas, have fun and discover a love of art and design.
Creativity is vital to every pupil’s education—and in an all-pupils environment, free from traditional gender stereotypes, they are more likely to get involved.
Trips and Tours
Trips are a key part of life at Bedford Prep. They support the curriculum, build friendships and create lasting memories.
At the start of each year, every pupil visits our beautiful field conservation centre at Ickwell with their year group—a chance to settle in, spark new friendships and reconnect with old ones.
Closer to home, they enjoy sleepovers at school and visits to places like the Big Bang Science Fair, Whipsnade Zoo, the Houses of Parliament and Verulamium.
Trips Week at the end of the summer term offers exciting residential and day trips.
Further afield, pupils take language trips to Germany, Spain and France, and sports tours to places like Jersey and even South Africa. We also run two ski trips to Austria each year—one for Y3–Y5 pupils and families at Easter, and one for Y6–Y8 pupils at Christmas.
Supporting Charities
Our pupils are proud to support the school’s charity work through the Community Partnership Programme.
Each House raises funds for a chosen charity through fun events and challenges. In 2024–2025, all Houses supported Diabetes UK.
Pupils also enthusiastically take part in wider appeals like ‘Christmas in a Box’ and the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and enjoy own clothes days to raise further funds for charities.
Each year, Prep pupils join Upper pupils to raise awareness and funds for Movember, supporting men’s health, and together regularly raising over £25,000.
