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Senior school

Bedford School

SeniorBoysAges 7–18Both1,070 pupils
Day fees
£19,473
How competitive entry is
School Own Exam + InterviewCompetitive entry
Pupils
1,070
Founded
1552
Next deadline
Registration closes: 1 Dec 2026
Houseroom Index 2026Provisional
70.8/100
47% data confidence·v2026.4.0
How is this calculated? →
Pillar breakdown
Academic outcomes67
Destinations & outcomes76
Future-readiness62
Pastoral & wellbeing70
Pupil flourishing65
Value-add59
Access & breadth55
Parent sentiment70
External consensus50

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About the head

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

Latest exam results

70%
A-level A*–A
85%
GCSE 9–7
3%
Oxbridge offer rate
12%
Russell Group rate

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. Bedford Academy's 2024 Level 3 results showed a 6.5% A*-A/D* rate, with an average grade of C= and an average points score per student of 90.45.

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

How well does Bedford School match?

Tell us your child's age, location, needs and entry point. We'll score commute, academics, support, budget and culture against London schools.

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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

Fees

£19,473per year · Day · 2025-26
VAT-inclusive estimate £19,473VAT status TBCYear 7-13 projection £153,803
vs London avg (£24,000)19% below
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

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
summer21 Apr 20264 Jul 2026Half-term 22 May 2026–1 Jun 2026
autumn3 Sept 202611 Dec 2026Half-term 16 Oct 2026–2 Nov 2026
spring5 Jan 202725 Mar 2027Half-term 12 Feb 2027–22 Feb 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 table further down the 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?+

No open days currently listed. Save this school and we'll email when booking opens, or contact admissions to ask about private tours.

How do I contact admissions?+

phone on 01234 362216 or the registrars listed in the contact card. Reference your child's age and intended entry year in the first message.

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