One of the Harpur Trust schools of Bedford, sharing in the endowment made to Bedford by Sir William Harpur in 1566. In 1974 the school moved to entirely new buildings on the northern outskirts of the town, on a 45-acre wooded hill site with spacious playing fields. The school is extremely well equipped and includes sophisticated facilities for sport and technology and a dedicated sixth-form centre. Originally a boys' school, girls have been accepted since 2003. Academic standards are high and examination results very good. Strong in music, drama and sport and offering a wide variety of clubs and activities. A flourishing school with strong local support.
Pupils: Total age range 7-18; 1208 pupils (870 boys, 338 girls). Junior school 7-11, 226 pupils (153 boys, 73 girls). Senior school 11-18, 982 pupils (717 boys, 265 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 7, 9, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth form entry, 8 GCSEs at least grade C. No special skills or religious requirements.
Small number of means-tested awards (Modern Awards) available to pupils joining the senior school.
Headmaster: Michael Hall, in post from 2010. Educated at Hutton Grammar School and Liverpool University (economics and MA in education management). Previously Principal Deputy Head at Kingston Grammar, and Head of Sixth Form and Economics Department at Arnold School. Junior School Head: Richard Lynn, in post from 2011. Educated at Fulneck Boys’ School and universities of Leicester and Bristol. Previously Deputy Headmaster and Marketing Manager of The Blue Coat School, Birmingham. Teaching staff: 104 full time, 10 part time.
GCSE: 140 pupils in Year 11; 99% gain at least grade C in 10 subjects. A-levels: 141 in upper sixth, passing an average of 3 subjects, with a final points score of 319.
Great majority of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course, over half to Russell Group universities. 33+% take courses in science and engineering.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 29 AS/A-level subjects; also Extended Project. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level. Special provision: Some provision for non-native English speakers and for students with learning difficulties. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 294 computers for pupil use (8 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.
Music: Approx 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Over 30 musical groups including orchestras, choirs, concert and jazz bands, chamber music ensembles, rock groups etc. Popular choice at GCSE; music and music technology offered at AS/A-level. Drama: GCSE drama and A-level theatre studies offered; pupils may also take LAMDA speech and drama exams and ISTD exams in ballet, tap and modern dance. 3 large productions a year, plus smaller dramatic events; many pupils involved. Art and design: On average, 40 take GCSE, 20 A-level. Painting, ceramics, printing, photography, textiles and sculpture are offered.
Sport: Rugby, football, cricket, rowing are major sports for boys; hockey, netball, tennis and rowing for girls. Additional sports include: table tennis, water polo, badminton, hockey (boys), equestrian, snowsports, cycling, cross-country, weights and fitness, fencing, fives, sevens, swimming, dance, basketball, athletics, softball, rounders, aerobics, tennis (boys), climbing, shooting, gymnastics. Regular representation at national, divisional and regional levels. Activities: Pupils can take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award; also CCF and community service. Various clubs and other activities, including debating, languages, railway appreciation.
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses (40+ house competitions). Head boy and head girl with deputies and senior monitors (prefects), plus year monitors, appointed by the Headmaster after consultation with staff and sixth form. Sixth-form council and year councils. Religion: Inter-denominational school. Multi-cultural assemblies (compulsory for those not specifically withdrawn). Social: Debates, concerts, musicals, plays. Organised trips worldwide. Meals cafeteria-style. School shop.
Discipline is firm but fair and each student is treated as an individual. A rewards and sanctions policy is used to generate a positive ethos, helping students find value in their achievements and encouraging them to become active responsible citizens within their community.
the Old Bedford Modernians' Club, run by Richard Wildman, c/o the School.
Major General Keith Burch; Tim Foster (Olympic rower); Monty Panesar (cricketer); Christopher Fry (poet and playwright); Richard Greenhalgh (former Chairman, Unilever UK); Vice Admiral Sir Ted Horlick; Professor Richard Janko (University of Michigan); R E G Jeeps (former Chairman, Sports Council); Professor Sir Peter Knight (Imperial College); Toby Litt (novelist); Sir Nicholas Lloyd (journalist); Professor George Pickett FRS (physicist); John Sessions (actor); Professor Stephen Wildman (art historian); Professor Anthony Pearson FRS (chemist); Dr Vaughan Southgate (President of the Linnean Society)
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