Academic Life
Our approach centres on maximising each pupil’s academic potential. And we do that in a way that differentiates us from other similar schools.
We have outstanding facilities, as many schools do, but it is our teaching that makes us different.
Our teachers are passionate about providing first-rate teaching; lessons that engage the whole room, probe understanding, and enable them to recognise when someone is struggling to grasp a concept, so they can adapt their approach accordingly. We are a school that inspires and insists on high expectations for every pupil, and it is our teachers who make the difference.
Flexible Academic Pathways
Our academic curriculum is underpinned by flexibility. In Year 9, pupils are introduced to as broad a range of subjects as possible. Thereafter we offer choice and flexibility. Pupils are able to choose their subject combinations for GCSE as well as the number of subjects they study. Later, they have the choice of a wide range of A-Levels, complemented by two BTECs. And throughout, we prioritise supporting each individual child to ensure they make the most of these opportunities to choose their own path.
Current GCSE Options
| Core Language | Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| French German Latin Spanish Mandarin Chinese (for native speakers) Academic Support | Design Technology French Geography History Music Spanish Religious Studies | Computer Science Drama Design Technology Geography History Music Religious Studies | Art Computer Science Geography History Religious Studies |
Please note: the option blocks are subject to change as a result of demand.
Digital Learning with Purpose
Digital technology is one of our areas of strategic focus, and as such we make use of appropriate resources in class. Every pupil in Year 10 takes a course in AI as part of our determination to be at the forefront of this area of both teaching and learning, and there are competitions aplenty for those with a real passion. But it is essential to us that pupils develop a healthy relationship with technology, and so we seek a balance.
Co-Curricular Strength, Academic Depth
At Bedford School, pupils benefit from a broad and exciting range of co-curricular opportunities that enhance and deepen their classroom learning.
From debating and politics to current affairs and the Harpur Science Lectures, our clubs and societies encourage intellectual curiosity and provide space for pupils to explore their academic interests in greater depth.
Happy and Successful
Happiness and success often go hand in hand. As such, outstanding pastoral care and academic excellence are inextricably linked. At Bedford, our teachers, tutors and housemasters get to know every pupil as an individual, enhanced without doubt by our boarding expertise, and this provides the key to helping each one to flourish academically.
Cultivating Learning Behaviours
Upper School academic progress is reported regularly through a series of in-person parents’ evenings (pre-bookable slots available for all teachers), grade-cards and full written reports. At each applicable juncture, we assess pupils’ academic attainment and their adoption of both core and desired learning behaviours. These behaviours have been identified as key to maximising academic potential, and the importance of incorporating them is regularly emphasised with all pupils. They cover each pupil’s approach to learning, to working with others, and how they reflect and act on feedback.
