Bedford School is proud to announce an exceptional year of academic achievement, with the 2025 cohort delivering outstanding results across A-Level, International Baccalaureate (IB) and GCSE examinations.
At A-Level and IB, over 50% of all exams were graded A/A*, and 85% at A/B*, reflecting the hard work and dedication of our boys and staff. The majority of boys will now take up places at leading universities across the UK and internationally, studying a wide range of disciplines including medicine, engineering, physics, economics, philosophy and business. Degree apprenticeships have also become a popular and successful pathway, with several boys securing placements with prestigious firms such as PWC, Airbus and L’Oréal.
Among the standout achievements, all nine boys applying to study medicine successfully secured their places.
Read: Bedford’s Future Medics
International destinations include top institutions such as the University of Michigan, South Mountain in Phoenix, Melbourne University, Universidad de Navarra and McGill University in Montreal.
One of our star leavers is Hamish Whiteman who is heading to Cambridge University, where he will read Philosophy after achieving an exceptional set of A-Level results: A*, A*, A* in Mathematics, English and Religious Education. He shared that English was his biggest challenge but credited his success to the quality of teaching stating:
“The teaching was really good. Whenever I asked questions, they were answered thoroughly. I also had interesting texts to study, which really helped.”
Another remarkable story comes from Christopher Bonnington, who achieved A*, A*, A*, A* in his A-Levels and will study Astrophysics at the University of Birmingham. Christopher overcame personal challenges, including managing his autism, and credited the SEND department for their tailored support. His mother shared, “He’s done this on his own, but with the support of the school. That support has been invaluable.”
Head Master James Hodgson commented:
“I am thrilled for this excellent group of boys, who have not only worked hard in the classroom, but have taken full advantage of all the extraordinary co-curricular and sporting opportunities that they have here at Bedford School. They leave as articulate, well-rounded, responsible, kind young men. We are proud of every one of them and I wish them all the very best for their futures.”
Adding to the celebrations, we are also marking our best GCSE results on record. Half of all exams were graded 9–8 (equivalent to A), and 74% were graded 9–7 (A* to A). These results round off an exceptional academic year and reflect the talent and resilience of our Fifth Form.
Leo is celebrating an incredible eleven Grade 9s in his GCSEs. Alongside his academic success, Leo has excelled in sport, playing two years above his age group in cricket and representing the school’s 1st XI. He credited his teachers for their support and looks forward to studying Maths, Chemistry, Biology and Spanish at A-Level.
Oscar, who was on the school’s rugby and hockey tour in South Africa when he opened his results, also achieved eleven Grade 9s. Balancing revision with training for the First VIII rowing team was a challenge, but Oscar praised the flexibility of the school’s rowing programme and the support of boarding life. He will go on to study Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Politics in Sixth Form.
Head Master James Hodgson commented:
“These are remarkable results, and I congratulate the boys from the Fifth Form on their achievements. They are a talented all-round group, who have shown great character and versatility in combining academic curiosity and endeavour with a wide range of co-curricular interest and success.”
