Ages 
A solid option for a single-sex independent school where boys can reach their academic potential without undue pressure and kickstart their adult lives with a real love of sport and/or the arts. Boys are among the nicest and most outward looking we’ve met, helped by school’s (and particularly the current dynamic head’s) strong sense of service. Softer skills a real point of differentiation.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 696 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 266 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- C of E
- Fees
- Day £29,229; Boarding £47,793 - £50,322 pa
- Local authority
- Bedford Council
- Linked schools
Headteacher
Head master
Mr James Hodgson
Since 2014, James Hodgson, educated at Wellington College and Durham (classics) before being scooped up on the milk round by Ernst and Young and spending a couple of years as a trainee accountant. In his 20s, a cricketer hovering around the fringe
Entrance
Around 60 per cent of the 140 boys who join year 9 come up from the prep. Feeder preps for the remaining 50 or so additional places include Aldwickbury, Beechwood Park, Kingshott and Lockers Park; others from the state sector. Optional ISEB pre-te
- Open days
- October
Exit
Around 15 per cent head to pastures new post-GCSE. Two-thirds to a wide range of universities, mostly Russell Group. Bath, City University London, Durham, Imperial, Leeds, King’s College London, Leeds Beckett, Liverpool, Loughborough, Newcastle, N
Latest results
In 2024, 65 per cent at 9-7 at GCSE; 46 per cent A*/A at A level (78 per cent A*-B).
% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)
What is this?
Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.
Teaching & learning
Decent results, especially given the broad intake. ‘Academic without being pressurised,’ thought parent. Much looser setting than in the past – now only broadly at the very top and bottom for maths and English. Class sizes capped at 24, shrinking
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
- IB
Learning support & SEN
Around 10 per cent SEN (mainly mild dyslexia or dyscalculia), all given bespoke care. Good at diagnosis too, felt parent – ‘and they’ve put everything in place to help my son while never making him feel different’. Strong ESOL team caters for over
Arts & extracurricular
Super modern music centre designed by award-winning architect Eric Parry and word has it that it’s positioned opposite the pavilion so that the director of music can keep one eye on the cricket scoreboard whilst conducting the school orchestra. Al
Sport
Sport has always been the lifeblood of Bedford. And while the trophy cabinets are bursting at the seams for all sports from rugby and cricket to rowing and golf, the overall ethos is far from elitist, including when it comes to training – the inpu
Boarders
Six senior boarding houses – four on site and two just a short walk away – all adapted Victorian villas, each with own character and all bright and roomy. Home from home in every sense, all with a fraternity house feel. We were reassured rather th
Ethos & heritage
If you can, get your satnav to take you to the school via the grand wide avenues of Victorian villas (two boarding houses among them) that lead down to the attractive river bank (the less-posh half of Bedford includes the somewhat run-down high st
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Tutor is first port of call in moments of difficulty; teachers also available to parents via email. Timetable collapsed five times each year to focus on PSHCE with age-appropriate focus on drugs, internet safety etc. Tight on discipline – ‘I’m qui
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 All digital devices must be used responsibly and in line with the acceptable use policy. It is forbidden for pupils to store or send inappropriate or offensive material. Mobile phones must not be used on the school site between 8.00am and 4.15pm. Mobile phones may be used discreetly outside these times, and by sixth form pupils in sixth form-only spaces in houses during breaks. Pupils are not permitted to have headphones in their ears when on the school site. The school reserves the right to confiscate a digital device if known or suspected to be used inappropriately.
Pupils & parents
Boys are a delight, their trademark being an ability to mix with any age group with easy, understated confidence. Buses from Luton, Milton Keynes and Hitchin and easy access from Harpenden by train makes for a broad catchment, with most living wit
Money matters
Good clutch of scholarships and bursaries for entry into years 7, 9 and 12, with art and recently drama added to the list and golf scholarships in conjunction with nearby Woburn Golf Club. Even more recently, computer science scholarships were int
- Fee information
- Day £29,229; Boarding £47,793 - £50,322 pa
The last word
A solid option for a single-sex independent school where boys can reach their academic potential without undue pressure and kickstart their adult lives with a real love of sport and/or the arts. Boys are among the nicest and most outward looking w
