Bedford School UK Guardianship & Admissions

Founded in 1552, Bedford School is an independent boarding and day school for ages 7 to 18. From September 2027, the school will welcome girls throughout the Prep and Upper Schools for the first time.

Bedford is a school of uncommon breadth and belonging; large enough to open doors - academically and socially - and close-knit enough to know every pupil well. At Bedford, young people explore widely, commit deeply and grow the confidence to make thoughtful choices about who they are and what matters to them.

Over time, Bedford has held to a simple belief: that education is defined not only by what a pupil achieves, but by who they become. That belief has shaped the school for nearly 475 years, guiding decisions with care and judgement, and sustaining an approach to education that values character, responsibility and intellectual development alongside academic achievement.

Bedford has always drawn together pupils of different strengths, interests and temperaments, recognising in each something of value. That remains unchanged. What evolves is the composition of the community. By welcoming girls, the school looks to extend and enrich an existing experience, one that combines opportunity with attention, expectation with support, and individuality within one shared Bedfordian life. At its heart remains a boarding community that brings together young people from across the UK and around the world. The same school. A wider door.

Set on an impressive 50-acre estate, the school offers an outstanding all-round education that places equal value on academic achievement, character development and wellbeing. Pupils are encouraged to think independently, act wisely and engage confidently with the wider world. Small class sizes, inspiring teaching and excellent facilities support a broad and ambitious curriculum, preparing pupils for GCSE and IGCSE exams, and for A-Level and BTEC exams in the Sixth Form.

Beyond the classroom, the school provides a wide range of co-curricular opportunities in sport, creative arts and beyond, enabling every pupil to discover and develop his strengths. Boarding lies at the heart of the school’s warm and inclusive community, offering a supportive home from home for their boarders in four boys’ houses, and a new dedicated house for girls opening in September 2027. The boarding houses are small, with no more than 40 children in each, creating a homely and reassuring environment in which the Houseparents and other resident staff know each boarder well. The houses are vertically structured to create a family-style dynamic, and the younger boarders are guided and looked after by older ones. Each house has a large garden and comfortable communal spaces, as well as quiet corners for study or relaxation. Boarders have access to a rich, varied programme of evening activities. There are also weekend trips including visits to London, Oxford and Cambridge, go-karting, laser tag and more, as well as special events such as the annual Boarders’ Games and Boarders’ Dinner.

Renowned for its strong pastoral care and friendly ethos, Bedford School prepares pupils not only for academic success, but for life beyond Bedford. A-Level results are strong; in 2026 around 50% of all examinations were awarded grades A* to A, while 80% of grades were marked A* to B, reflecting the talent, hard work and determination of the year’s cohort. Last year, six pupils secured places at Oxford and Cambridge, while nine of The Times Top 10 Universities of the Year are represented in this year’s university destinations, including

Oxford, Cambridge, St Andrews, Imperial College London and University College London. Around a third of the year group will progress to these highly regarded institutions, while several others have secured places on competitive Medicine and Dentistry courses. Alongside places at leading universities, Bedford School leavers are pursuing international golf and rugby scholarships, degree apprenticeships, art foundation courses and even specialist flight training.

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