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Bedford School

SeniorBoysAges 7–18Both994 pupils
Day fees
£30,918
How competitive entry is
Iseb Pretest + School ExamCompetitive entry
Pupils
994
Founded
1552
Next deadline
Registration closes: 1 Dec 2026
Houseroom Index 2026

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Application timeline

4 of 8 admissions stages have confirmed dates. Save this school to be notified when dates are published.

Open dayNot published
Not published
Registration opensNot published
Not published
Registration closesConfirmed
1 Dec 2026
Bursary deadlineConfirmed
1 Dec 2026Harpur Trust Bursary
AssessmentConfirmed
11 Jan 2027
InterviewNot published
Not published
OffersConfirmed
15 Feb 2027
Acceptance deadlineNot published
Not published
Registration windows
YearOpensClosesReply byStatus
2027-28TBC1 Dec 2026TBCTbc

Open events

Assessment
Mon, 11 Jan 2027
9:00 am
13+ and 14+ Entry Assessments
Open Day
Fri, 15 Jan 2027
9:00 am
13+, 14+ and 16+ Drama Scholarships
Assessment
Tue, 19 Jan 2027
9:00 am
16+ Assessments and Academic Scholarship
Open Day
Wed, 20 Jan 2027
9:00 am
13+, 14+ and 16+ Art Scholarships
Assessment
Thu, 21 Jan 2027
9:00 am
13+ and 14+ Academic Scholarship Call Back
Open Day
Fri, 22 Jan 2027
9:00 am
16+ Sport Scholarships
Open Day
Mon, 25 Jan 2027
9:00 am
13+, 14+ and 16+ Golf Scholarships
Open Day
Thu, 28 Jan 2027
9:00 am
13+, 14+ and 16+ Computer Science Scholarships

Fees

£30,918per year · Day · 2026-20 · est. (3 x term)
VAT-inclusive estimate £30,918VAT status TBC7-year projection £244,199
Also budget for · Registration fee, deposit, uniform, lunches, trips, music tuition, exam fees. These vary by school — check with admissions for the full cost breakdown.

Bursaries & Scholarships

About the head

Nil Nisi Optimum (Nothing But The Best)

Educated at Wellington College, read Classics at Durham University and after a couple of years with Ernst and Young in London, completed his Classics PGCE at Cambridge University where he was a cricket blue. Spent six years teaching in Sydney before returning to the UK to Tonbridge School as a Boarding Housemaster and Director of Admissions. Was Usher (Senior Deputy Head) at Magdalen College School in Oxford before appointment to Bedford School in September 2014. Classics BA Durham, PGCE Cambridge

Bedford School is dedicated to partnership and trust between the school and family, aiming to bring out the best in every boy through a supportive and motivating environment.

Excellence, Respect, Integrity, Community

Activities & co-curricular

sport

Running ClubGolfFootballTennisCricket netsHockeyEarly Morning SwimOther sportsRowingRugbyCricket

music

CompetitionsChoral BeansOrchestrasEnsemblesChoirsExhibitionsOrchestras and ensemblesTheatre productions

drama

Speech and Drama lessonsDrama productions

academic club

Academic clinicsChess ClubCoding with LegoRobotics ClubStargazing / ObservatoryCo-curricular Academic SocietiesAcademic societies

service

Community Partnership Programme

other

Go-karting (boarding)Film nights (boarding)Laser tag (boarding)Animal Care ClubHungry Boys ClubBoarders' Games

Facilities

sports

Sports halls and pitchesThree full afternoons of sport per weekGolf Performance Centre

arts

Multi-million pound Quarry TheatreMusic School

boarding

Extensive boarding accommodation

academic

UCAS and Careers guidanceSmall classesAcademic Support and Enrichment

wellbeing

On-site physiotherapy and sports psychologistWraparound Care from 8:00am to 5:45pm for Years 3 to 8Supervised study until 7:00pm for Years 9 and above

Latest exam results

70%
A-level A*–A
50%
GCSE 9–7

Data from 2025 results

Where leavers go

2%
to Oxbridge (2025)
12%
to Russell Group
2025202420232022
Cohort818181
Oxbridge216
Russell Group101099
US Ivy0000
Medicine960
Top universities (2025)
Durham
King's College London
UCL
Bristol
Nottingham
Leeds
Loughborough
Newcastle

Recent coverage

In August 2025, Bedford School reported its best-ever GCSE results, with 50% of exams graded at 9-8 (A*), and 74% at 9-7 (A* to A). The A-Level cohort achieved over 50% of exams graded at A*/A, with 85% at A*/B. In April 2025, Bedford Free School maintained its 'Outstanding' Ofsted rating, with inspectors noting the school's relentless pursuit of excellence. 45.

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 deadline confirmed

Bedford School closes registrations on 1 Dec 2026. Add the deadline to your plan and start booking visits before applications.

Fit for your child

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House system

BrewsterHarpurHowePowellSharmanWinn

Inspection

Isi 17 Oct 2023

One inspection report on file. Worth reading before booking a visit — covers safeguarding, leadership and overall standard.

Met

Term dates 2025-26

spring6 Jan 202627 Mar 2026Half-term 13 Feb 2026–23 Feb 2026
spring6 Jan 202627 Mar 2026
summer21 Apr 20264 Jul 2026Half-term 22 May 2026–1 Jun 2026
summer21 Apr 20264 Jul 2026
autumn3 Sept 202611 Dec 2026Half-term 16 Oct 2026–2 Nov 2026
autumn3 Sept 202611 Dec 2026
spring5 Jan 202725 Mar 2027Half-term 12 Feb 2027–22 Feb 2027
spring5 Jan 202725 Mar 2027
summer20 Apr 20273 Jul 2027
summer20 Apr 20273 Jul 2027Half-term 28 May 2027–7 Jun 2027

Questions parents ask

Common questions about Bedford School, answered from this school’s structured profile data. Always confirm specifics with admissions before applying.

How does admissions work?+

Admissions style isn't fully documented in our profile. Contact the school directly using the details in the contact card.

Are fees published?+

Yes — see the Fees section on this page. Add extras (uniform, trips, lunches, music tuition, registration fees) on top of the base figure before budgeting.

Does the school support SEND?+

SEND provision isn't documented in our profile. If your child has identified needs, contact admissions early to discuss capacity.

Are there open days?+

5 upcoming open days or tours — see the admissions timeline. Booking is usually required.

How do I contact admissions?+

email at admissions@bedfordschool.org.uk or phone on 01234362200. Reference your child's age and intended entry year in the first message.

Reviews

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Data
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Exam results, fees, university destinations, inspections, peer schools and feeder preps — on one page.
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Frequently asked questions

How much are the fees at Bedford School?
Day fees at Bedford School range from £19,473 to £30,600 per year. Boarding fees range from £24,528 to £51,732 per year.
When is the next open day at Bedford School?
The next open day at Bedford School is on 15 January 2027.
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.

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