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Bedford School

Independent secondary

National rank

148

Rank last year

86.3^%

A-level

74.1^%

GCSE

Need to know

Head teacher James Hodgson

Gender of entry Boys

Total pupils 1,070 (7-18)

UK boarding fees per term* £16,377-£17,244 (13-18)

UK day fees per term* £10,016 (13-18) includes lunch

*Fees correct as of November 21, 2025

Our methodology

Results

Grade

21.1

32.2

A*/A

54.2

A*-B

86.3

Grade

9/8

50.5

23.6

9/8/7

74.1

Grade

Higher Level 7

29.2

Higher Level 6

35.4

Higher Level 5

33.3

Higher Level 7 and 6

64.6

Higher Level 7, 6 and 5

97.9

Diploma pass

100

Average IB points

36.8

What the school inspection says

“The school aims to encourage boys to look beyond what they might feel is possible both academically and outside the classroom … Pupils of all abilities achieve highly and make rapid progress, encouraged by the high quality of teaching … Day and boarding pupils alike feel positive about themselves and their place in the school community … Pupils are resilient when things do not go their way, and persevere when faced with difficulties. They enjoy working with each other, and boarders emphasise how much they gain from learning to work alongside others. Pupils are proud when they are given responsibilities and they are determined to fulfil them.” There was a regulatory compliance visit in 2019 and a routine inspection in 2023.

Inspection

2016

In detail

Read the full report

About the school

Bedford School was founded in 1552 and maintains an ambition for its boys that “they be good men”.
They are certainly busy men, with more than 70 groups and societies offered including musical ensembles, the Pythagoreans (a weekly dose of high-level maths), the data club, the astronomical society (hosted in the school’s observatory and planetarium) and a VR club. Forest schooling, in which the outdoors becomes the classroom, supports those struggling with friendships, while others can participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme and the Combined Cadet Force (CCF).
In 2025, over 50 per cent of all A-levels achieved A*-A with 85 per cent achieving A*-B.
Scholarships are awarded for academic ability or talent in art, computer science, drama, music and sport. Means-tested bursaries are worth up to 100 per cent of school fees.
Old boys include several Victoria Cross holders and the comedian Al Murray.

admissions@bedfordschool.org.uk

Telephone

01234 362 216

Website

bedfordschool.org.uk

Address

De Parys Avenue, Bedford, MK40 2TU

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