Bedford Modern School

Buzzing with energy and enthusiasm, BMS is an outstanding independent day school for girls and boys aged 7 to 18. Combining a 250-year-old tradition with a modern outlook, Bedford Modern School provides the perfect environment for children to learn and grow to become mature, compassionate and assured young men and women. The happy, supportive atmosphere allows students to realise their full potential and girls and boys thrive from sharing different perspectives and approaches to learning.

The School sits on a 45-acre wooded site with commanding views of the Bedfordshire countryside. The extensive facilities are excellent: a separate Junior School, dedicated Sixth Form and a new purpose-built, multi-million pound Science Centre with faculties clustered throughout the School. Impressive sports facilities include a fully equipped gym and indoor sports hall, a boathouse on the banks of the nearby River Great Ouse, a number of rugby, football and cricket pitches and a swimming pool on site.

BMS provides an outstanding all-round education where all students benefit from an engaging and challenging academic curriculum. This is delivered by committed teachers who inspire and challenge our students to develop a love of learning, sense of curiosity and ability to think independently. Our students consistently achieve outstanding grades at A Level and GCSE. In August 2018 staff and students celebrated outstanding A Level results with a third of all students obtaining three A grades or better. An impressive 51% of grades achieved were A* - A and 83% were A* - B.

However it is the activities and learning outside of the classroom which adds so much to the lives of our students and as a result they leave us well prepared for the next stage of their lives. They are encouraged to access an extensive co-curricular programme with the focus on participation and fun as well as excellence.

This year we are delighted to have made the shortlist for an Independent Schools of the Year award for our excellent performance arts and music provision. Every year more and more students take additional weekly music, dance and speech and drama lessons. Participation in the many productions, choirs and orchestral performances is very high, extremely popular and greatly enjoyed by the large audiences they attract. There is also ample opportunity to be part of the technical crew and help build the spectacular sets for our two main musical theatre productions which are designed and created in-house.

Sport also plays a key role in the life of the School and our students enjoy local and national success. Participation in the wide variety of sports on offer here from rugby, football and hockey to netball, water polo and rowing is extremely high and promotes health and wellbeing, fitness and the importance of teamwork.
Students also participate in a range of activities offering unique opportunities to appreciate the world around them including fundraising initiatives, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme and a plethora of local, national and international trips. This year our CCF cadets claimed victory against 18 other Army Sections of Eastern Region Cadet Forces at the Combat Cadet competition; a first for BMS.

Ultimately students are happy here and leave BMS with the emotional intelligence and self-awareness that allows them to flourish.

But don’t take our word for it, please come and visit us and discover for yourself what Bedford Modern School has to offer.