Ages 
A school which relishes girl power, and rightly so. The empowerment of women and women supporting women is its mantra. Lots of support for the girls, who are encouraged to find their own passion and follow it. The world really is this lot's oyster and parents buy into it as well. A nice, down-to-earth bunch.
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Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 847 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 185 ·
- Religion
- None
- Fees
- £13,671 - £19,215 pa
- Local authority
- Bedford Council
- School ownership
- Harpur Trust
Headteacher
Headmistress
Gemma Gibson
Since 2020, Gemma Gibson, her first headship and the school’s second head. A baptism of fire joining during the pandemic and school lockdowns but seems to have settled in well. Parents like her, and she has managed to create a high profile for
Entrance
Entry at year 3 into junior school and a cohort into year 5. Or into year 7 to the senior school. Academically selective with all girls sitting CAT assessments. Junior school entrants also do a piece of creative writing and attend an activities
- Open days
- May
Exit
About 25 a year leave in year 11, usually to local co-ed state colleges, the odd one to board following family tradition. Vast majority of sixth form head to university. Popular destinations include Newcastle, Nottingham, York, Exeter, Warwick, Leeds
Latest results
in 2025, 66 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 76 per cent A*-B at A level (combined A level and IB). IB average of 36 in 2025.
A levels or equivalent - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
Female empowerment works its way from the top down. A strong STEM school, as all schools claim to be these days, but equal importance appears to be given to humanities and languages, despite lower take-up, which is good to see. IB and A levels taught
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
- IB
Learning support & SEN
Four per cent of girls are on the SEN register and three per cent on the EAL. Lots of help for girls that need it, with a specialist SEN team of support staff managed by the head of learning support. The whole team work with teaching and pastoral
Arts & extracurricular
Music taught on the curriculum up to year 9 and offered up to A level. A large number of girls have private or group lessons within the school and there are more than 40 ensembles, orchestras, choirs and bands to join. Many musical concerts and bands
Sport
Bedford Girls’ is renowned for being a sporty school and they pride themselves on offering excellent facilities and teaching. Many parents chose the school for their sporty daughters because of this. Enthusiastic director of sport showed us swimming
Ethos & heritage
The school is relatively new – established in September 2010 with the amalgamation of the two girls’ schools, Bedford High and Dame Alice Harpur School (which were no longer separately financially viable), on one site virtually in the centre of
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Let’s get discipline over with first; it wasn’t mentioned by pupils or parents. This usually means that all is perceived to be fair and problems dealt with quickly and calmly, as attested by both girls and parents. Don’t be fooled, not every pupil is
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Many of our students have phones to help manage travel and logistic arrangements, we maintain robust phone policies during the school day. From Year 3 to Year 10 phones are not allowed during the school day. Junior School phones are handed into the form teacher at the start of the day. From Years 7- 10 phones must be in sealed phone pouches between 8.40am and 4.00pm. Year 11 and Sixth Form have dedicated common rooms where phones may be used, however they are not allowed them in and around the rest of the school.
Pupils & parents
Pupils from a wide area within an hour of Bedford and from equally diverse backgrounds and ethnicity, very much reflecting the local area. Parents we spoke to not particularly bothered by the single-sex education offered but we are sure it’s
Money matters
Fees comparatively reasonable and majority of clubs and activities (with the exception of peripatetic music lessons, LAMDA and extra dance) included. Only long-term one-to-one SEN support charged as extra. No scholarships but generous bursary fund
- Fee information
- £13,671 - £19,215 pa
The last word
A school which relishes girl power, and rightly so. The empowerment of women and women supporting women is its mantra. Lots of support for the girls, who are encouraged to find their own passion and follow it. The world really is this lot's oyster
