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Bedford School

Bedford School is an independent day and boarding school in Bedford for boys aged 7 to 18, across Prep and Upper School, welcoming girls from September 2027.

Day fees
£20,037 – £30,918
Entry
Iseb Pretest + School ExamSelective
Next open day
Fri 15 Jan 202713+, 14+ and 16+ Drama Scholarships
Next deadline
Tue 1 Dec 202613+ registration closes
At a glance

Key facts

Head
James Hodgson
since 2014
Gender
Boys
Pupils
994
Location
Bedford
Suburban setting
Day or boarding
Day and boarding
Age range
7 to 18
Religious ethos
Church of England
Founded
1552
Entry points
13+
School buses
Yes
School day
8am to 6pm
Saturday school
Yes
Show 4 more factsShow fewer facts
Wraparound care
Available
Scholarships
Sport, Academic, Art +2
A-level A*–A
70%
2025
GCSE 9–7
50%
2025
Overview

About Bedford School

##

Bedford School, established in 1552 by King Edward VI, is an independent boys' school in Bedford, England, serving students aged 7 to 18. It is the oldest of four independent schools in Bedford operated by the Harpur Trust. ()

The school comprises a Preparatory School (ages 7 to 13) and an Upper School (ages 13 to 18), with approximately 1,100 pupils, half of whom board. () Academic performance is strong, with GCSE results above the national average. In 2019, 65% of exams were graded 9 to 7. () A-level results are also impressive, with 50% of entries achieving A* to A grades in 2025. ()

Extracurricular activities are diverse, including music, drama, art, and sports. The school boasts facilities such as an observatory and planetarium. () Located on a 50-acre semi-rural campus in Bedford, it is approximately 50 miles north of London. ()

Houseroom Editorial

Our take

Independent boys senior school for ages 7–18, day or boarding.

Best for
  • Families seeking a senior school for ages 7–18, with thinking already on 11+ or 13+ entry.
  • Parents who want a single-sex environment for their son.
  • Families weighing day vs boarding — both are offered.
  • Internationally-mobile families wanting IB or American-style qualifications rather than only A-levels.
Watch-outs
  • SEND provision isn't documented in our profile. If your child has an EHCP or specific learning needs, ask admissions about case-by-case capacity before applying.
  • Single-sex (boys). Comfortable for some children, less so for others — worth a visit on a normal teaching day rather than only an open-day showcase.
  • Location detail is sparse in our profile — verify postcode and tube/rail link before counting on commute time.
AI-generated guidance
Admissions

Application timeline

September 2027 entryRegistration tbcCloses 1 Dec 2026
  1. Dec1
    Registration closes
  2. Dec1
    Bursary deadline
    Harpur Trust Bursary
  3. Jan11
    Assessment
  4. Feb15
    Offers

Not yet published: registration opens, interview, acceptance deadline.

Upcoming

Open events

Assessment
13+ and 14+ Entry Assessments
Open Day
13+, 14+ and 16+ Drama Scholarships
Assessment
16+ Assessments and Academic Scholarship
Open Day
13+, 14+ and 16+ Art Scholarships
Assessment
13+ and 14+ Academic Scholarship Call Back
Open Day
13+, 14+ and 16+ Golf Scholarships
Open Day
13+, 14+ and 16+ Computer Science Scholarships
Fees & cost

Fees

£20,037 – £30,918per year · Day · 2026-27 · est. (3 x term)
Extras: registration, deposit, uniform, lunches, trips, music lessons, exam fees.
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Quick answers about Bedford School

Answered only from Bedford School's verified details on Houseroom, with sources. For anything else, ask admissions.

Financial support

Bursaries & Scholarships

Beyond the classroom

Activities & co-curricular

sport

CricketCricket netsEarly Morning SwimFootballGolfHockeyOther sportsRowingRugbyRunning ClubTennis

music

ChoirsChoral BeansCompetitionsEnsemblesExhibitionsOrchestrasOrchestras and ensemblesTheatre productions

drama

Drama productionsSpeech and Drama lessons

academic club

Academic clinicsAcademic societiesChess ClubCo-curricular Academic SocietiesCoding with LegoRobotics ClubStargazing / Observatory

service

Community Partnership Programme

other

Animal Care ClubBoarders' GamesFilm nights (boarding)Go-karting (boarding)Hungry Boys ClubLaser tag (boarding)
On campus

Facilities

sports

Golf Performance CentreSports halls and pitchesThree full afternoons of sport per week

arts

Multi-million pound Quarry TheatreMusic School

boarding

Extensive boarding accommodation

academic

Academic Support and EnrichmentSmall classesUCAS and Careers guidance

wellbeing

On-site physiotherapy and sports psychologistSupervised study until 7:00pm for Years 9 and aboveWraparound Care from 8:00am to 5:45pm for Years 3 to 8
Outcomes

Latest exam results

70%
A-level A*–A
50%
GCSE 9–7

Data from 2025 results

Destinations

Where leavers go

2%
to Oxbridge (2025)
12%
to Russell Group
2025202420232022
Cohort81—8181
Oxbridge2—16
Russell Group101099
US Ivy0000
Medicine9—60
Top universities (2025)
DurhamKing's College LondonUCLBristolNottinghamLeedsLoughboroughNewcastle
Curriculum

Qualifications offered

GCSEA-LevelIB
In the news

Recent coverage

August 2025

Bedford School celebrated its best GCSE results on record, with half of all exams marked at 9-8 and 74% of all exams marked 9-7.

Alumni

Notable alumni

Sir David Frost (broadcaster)Sir Evelyn de Rothschild (financier)Sir Michael Howard (military historian)Sir John Goldring (judge)Sir Peter Harding (RAF Chief of the Air Staff)Sir John Wheeler-Bennett (historian)Sir John Gurdon (Nobel laureate)Sir John Houghton (climate scientist)
Recommended next step

Registration closes 1 Dec 2026 (13+)

Add it to your plan and book a visit before you apply.

Fit for your child

Is Bedford School right for your child?

Score it on travel, academics, support and budget.

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Community

House system

BrewsterHarpurHowePowellSharmanWinn
Regulation

Inspection

ISI inspection, 17 Oct 2023

Met
Calendar

Term dates 2026/27

Autumn3 Sept 2026 → 11 Dec 2026
Spring5 Jan 2027 → 25 Mar 2027Half-term 12 Feb 2027–22 Feb 2027
Summer20 Apr 2027 → 3 Jul 2027Half-term 28 May 2027–7 Jun 2027

Bedford School term dates and holidays →

FAQ

Questions parents ask

What kind of child is Bedford School best for?+

Bedford School suits: Families seeking a senior school for ages 7–18, with thinking already on 11+ or 13+ entry; Parents who want a single-sex environment for their son; Families weighing day vs boarding — both are offered; Internationally-mobile families wanting IB or American-style qualifications rather than only A-levels.

How much are the fees at Bedford School?+

Day fees at Bedford School are £6,679 to £10,306 a term in 2026-27 (£20,037 to £30,918 a year). Boarding fees are £12,105 to £17,744 a term in 2026-27 (£36,315 to £53,232 a year). Extras such as lunches, uniform and trips are on top.

When is the next open day at Bedford School?+

The next open day at Bedford School is on 15 January 2027. Booking is usually required.

How does admissions work?+

We don't hold full admissions details for Bedford School. Ask the school directly.

Does Bedford School support SEND?+

We don't hold SEND details for Bedford School. Ask admissions early if your child has additional needs.

What ages does Bedford School take?+

Bedford School takes pupils from age 7 to 18.

Is Bedford School a day or boarding school?+

Bedford School offers both day and boarding places.

Is Bedford School co-educational or single-sex?+

Bedford School is a boys' school.

Where is Bedford School?+

Bedford School is in Bedford, MK40 2TU.

How do I contact admissions at Bedford School?+

Contact Bedford School by email at admissions@bedfordschool.org.uk or phone on 01234362200.

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