Bedford School
Bedford School is a girls boarding and day school in Bedford, Bedfordshire, educating pupils aged 7 - 18 and founded in 1552. Boarding fees are £11,764 - £17,244 per term. Our advice on this school is independent and free.
- Type
- Girls boarding & day
- Boarders from
- 9 - 18
- Ethos
- Church of England
- Guardian required
- Yes
About Bedford
The story, ethos and character of Bedford.
- Setting
- Town
- Ethos
- Church of England
- Head
- Mr James Hodgson
"An unpretentious school which has everything a boy could need" Good Schools Guide Excellent academic results, superb facilities, inspiring teaching, extra-curricular activities and the highest standards of pastoral care all combine at Bedford School to offer boys a happy, complete and balanced education.
Bedford is a leading all-boys boarding and day school which successfully merges its rich heritage with a quickly changing world to enable boys to thrive, not only through their school days but through university and beyond. For boys aged 7 to 18, we offer the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to explore abilities in an inspiring and supportive environment that takes into account their own needs and talents.
Our community is characterised by a warm and friendly atmosphere, where full/weekly boarders and day boys happily interact in all areas of School life.
Academic excellence is central to school life, and we encourage boys to aspire to the highest possible standards and to exceed their expectations. We have a long history of impressive exam results at GCSE and A-Level. From the classroom to the sports field, in laboratories and art studios, on trips and tours, boys are challenged academically, socially and culturally.
They benefit from our dedicated and highly qualified staff, and outstanding facilities. They learn exciting new skills and knowledge, and how to prepare themselves for a successful future. They thrive in our warm and friendly atmosphere and happily interact in all areas of school life.
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Academics at Bedford
What pupils study at Bedford — and where it takes them.
which will cater towards each boy's individual strengths. Our teachers offer a variety of different teaching styles, small class sizes and, where appropriate, setting. IGCSE and GCSE courses taught - see attached Courses Guide for details. A-Level and BTECs both offered in the Sixth Form.
See this Sixth Form Courses Guide for details. +3 photos Performing and creative arts The Creative Arts thrive at Bedford School. Boys' talents are continually showcased through a vast array of exhibitions, concerts, recitals and productions, culminating in our superb annual Creative Arts Festival.
Programmes offered
Subjects offered
Where our leavers go
The most popular university destinations include Durham, King's College London, UCL, Bristol, Nottingham, Leeds, Loughborough, Newcastle, Birmingham and Exeter. International destinations include prestigious universities such as the University of Michigan, South Mountain in Phoenix, Melbourne University, Universidad de Navarra, Mc Gill University in Montreal and the world-renowned Hotelschool in The Hague, among others.
In addition, several boys have earned places on highly competitive Degree Apprenticeship schemes with leading global firms including Airbus, PWC and L'Oréal. See the full 2025 courses and destinations here.
Figures are indicative — contact us for the latest results.
Boarding at Bedford
Day-to-day boarding life and pastoral care at Bedford.
- Boarding houses
- Girls 0, Boys 7, Mixed 0
- Exeat weekends
- Yes
- Guardian required
- Yes
- Saturday lessons
- Yes
Bedford is a boarding school, first and foremost, with boarders and day boys alike benefitting from the strong boarding ethos. With 250 boys and around 40 staff living full-time on-site, the boarding community gives a heartbeat to the school in a way that nothing else can.
The school lives, and permanently. Whilst over 80% are from the UK, boys at Bedford School represent over thirty different nationalities which gives us a truly global outlook, something which equips boys well as they move forward in their lives.
A genuine home away from home
Our Boarding Houses are at the heart of life at Bedford School. There are six upper school boarding houses; Burnaby, Pemberley, Phillpotts and Talbot's houses are situated on the boundaries of the school estate while Redburn and Sanderson's occupy sites in a leafy suburban area just five minutes' walk from the school.
Full and weekly boarders are spread across all six houses. At the heart of the Prep School campus, Eagle House gives our youngest boarders a to relax and feel at home at the end of the school day, and takes full time boarders from year 5 upwards.
We can arrange trusted UK guardianship for international families.
Bedford admissions
How children join Bedford, and how we make it simple.
Tell us about your child
Share their age, interests and what you're looking for. Our advice is completely free.
We shortlist & introduce
We match you to the right schools and make the introductions to their admissions teams.
Assessment, offer & enrolment
We guide you through entrance assessments and interviews, and handle visas and guardianship if needed.
What you'll typically need
- Recent school reports or transcript
- Passport copy
- English-language evidence (if applicable)
- Completed registration form
- A reference from the current school
One and two term stays would only be possible in Yr. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12. Special notes to agents about entry to the school We require two previous school reports (in English), along with a copy of the applicant's full translated birth certificate and passport with the initial agent enquiry.
If we are happy with these, we will invite the student to register with the school. Application procedure and entrance tests Bedford School is a selective school so all applicants are required to sit entrance assessments appropriate to their age.
As your advisors we manage the application end-to-end at no cost.
Bedford fees & funding
What Bedford costs, what's included, and how we help with funding.
What termly boarding fees include
- Tuition
- Boarding accommodation
- All meals
- Pastoral & house care
- Most academic materials
Funding & scholarships
Registration deposits, EAL tuition, uniform and trips are usually charged separately. Many schools offer academic, sport, music and art scholarships plus means-tested bursaries — ask us and we'll send a full, current breakdown for Bedford.
Fees change year to year and by entry point. As your independent advisors we hold up-to-date figures and can compare Bedford against similar schools so you know exactly what to budget.
Figures shown are the latest we hold — we'll confirm current fees on enquiry.
Bedford location & travel
Where Bedford is, and how to get there.
Travel details Address De Parys Avenue, Bedford , Bedfordshire, MK40 2TU, England Airport transfer Public Transport or Taxi (The School does not provide transfers) Travel time to London by train Less than 1 hour Telephone +44 (0) 1234 362200 Website https://www.
bedfordschool. org. uk/ +3 photos Most convenient airports Airport Distance (miles) Drive time (minutes) 1. London Luton 28 37 2. London Heathrow 60 90 3. London Gatwick 94 109 Most convenient train stations Station Distance (miles) Drive time (minutes) 1.
Inside Bedford
Bedford — frequently asked questions
Where is Bedford?
How much are Bedford boarding fees?
What ages does Bedford take?
Is Bedford co-educational?
When was Bedford founded?
Does Bedford require a UK guardian?
How many pupils study A-levels at Bedford?
What qualifications does Bedford offer?
Does Bedford support SEN or EAL students?
How many boarding houses does Bedford have?
Are there compulsory exeat weekends at Bedford?
Does Bedford have Saturday lessons?
How do I apply to Bedford?
Does Bedford accept international students?
How much does Bedford cost?
What's included in Bedford's fees?
Are scholarships or bursaries available?
Where exactly is Bedford?
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