Academic Support
We believe boys should never be limited by false barriers to achievement and we are dedicated to ensuring that every boy receives the support he needs throughout his time at school.
We provide a range of academic support to pupils with specific learning difficulties.
Individual classroom support strategies are devised for these boys, which teachers use within lessons to help them. Specialist teachers are available to support boys in supervised prep sessions, and there are a range of academic clinics in different subjects available weekly.
Empowering Teachers and Parents Together
We are also committed to providing ongoing support and training to our teachers, so they can continue to support each boy and meet his learning needs in the classroom. And we work closely with parents, providing resources, as well as talks and workshops through our Parent Partnership Programme.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Bedford School has a vibrant international community, including many boys for whom English is not the first language spoken at home. These boys are assessed during the admissions process and again on arrival using internationally recognised tests to determine their language level.
All EAL students benefit from inclusive, high-quality teaching across the curriculum, with subject teachers trained to support language development in class. For those who require additional help, our EAL department offers a creative and targeted syllabus focused on English for academic purposes. This supports key areas such as reading and listening, grammatical accuracy, academic writing, coursework planning and proofreading, and presentation skills.
For boys who need more intensive support, we offer an alternative English curriculum in Year 9, followed by preparation for the IGCSE English as a Second Language qualification in Years 10 and 11.
Global Perspectives, Local Support
As a boarding school with staff speaking multiple languages, our global community has an understanding of a wide variety of cultures. Working closely with the boys, teachers are equipped to support them both linguistically and culturally, helping them to adapt to studying and living in an international environment, and giving them the skills and knowledge they need to achieve their academic potential.
