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What it's like

Founded in 1893 by J H Badley, and one of the first co-ed boarding schools in Britain. It is on a splendid site of 120 acres in East Hampshire, 16 miles from the sea. The buildings are civilised and comfortable with many new developments including first-rate IT provision and new facilities planned in music and art and design. The oak-framed Memorial Library (Ernest Gimson, 1921) is superb. Badley founded it as a pioneering alternative to the more regimented public schools. He reformed the curriculum (balancing arts, crafts and rural skills with academic work), teaching and learning (giving students responsibility for organising their own time and independent study) and the relationship between all members of the community (informal, relaxed, respectful of the individual not the title). Everyone is on first-name terms, and there is no uniform. Always progressive in the best sense, the school remains resistant to orthodoxies: in 2006 it launched its own alternatives to some GCSE courses, believing that GCSE was too often dull and undemanding. Examination results are good and almost all sixth formers go on to a broad range of university courses or to top art colleges. Art, crafts, drama, dance and music all have a central position in the life of the school. Outdoor work is a feature: students make hedges and ponds, bake bread, keep livestock, build traditional barns, and practise blacksmithing and weaving. Sport is taken seriously, with many opportunities for competition; because it is only one option for keeping fit, it is pursued by enthusiasts, not conscripts.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 3−18; 748 pupils, 369 day (177 boys, 192 girls), 379 boarding (185 boys, 194 girls). Senior department 13−18, 472 pupils (227 boys, 245 girls) Entrance: Main entry ages, 3, 7, 8, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance tests used; for sixth form entry, 50 points minimum at GCSE (usually grade A in sixth form subjects). School looks for bright, self-reliant pupils with a broad base including academic, art, music, design, drama etc, with potential for up to 9+ GCSEs, 4 AS and 3 A-levels. 20% of new entrants to sixth form from state schools. 50+% of senior intake from own prep school, Dunhurst School (tel 01730 711733).

Scholarships & bursaries

Academic and music scholarships for entrants at 13 and 16, also music age 8−12 and art at 16. Music scholarships up to 25% of fees; others £750 pa, which can be increased through means-testing (usually to 50%, occasionally to 85%). Means-tested bursaries available where proven need. Parents expected to buy a few textbooks.

Parents

67% live within 30 miles, 30% in London and south; 5% live overseas.

Head & staff

Head: Keith Budge, appointed 2001. Educated at Rossall and Oxford University (English). Previously Headmaster of Loretto and Housemaster at Marlborough. Teaching staff: 70 in senior school, plus 40+ visiting music teachers.

Exam results

GCSE/Bedales Assessed Courses: 100 pupils in fifth year, 98% gained at least grade C in 7+ subjects. A-levels: 85 in upper sixth; 8% passed in 4+ subjects, 84% in 3 subjects - achieving an average final points score of 310.

Pupils' destinations

95% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (40% after a gap year). Typically 15% take courses in science and engineering, 60% in humanities and social sciences; 10-15 art foundation places annually, others go on to drama and music colleges.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels; also Bedales Assessed Courses in place of some GCSEs. 25+ AS/A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. Vocational: Comprehensive careers advice. Special provision: All pupils' work monitored to identify any special needs. Individual support lessons on a private basis. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level; Italian, Russian, Chinese and Japanese by private arrangement. International Committee to promote international exchange. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg much coursework in key subjects, spreadsheet work. 45 computers in main school for pupil use (12 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access. Also laptop scheme; 36% of pupils have their own.

The arts

Music: Over 60% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 16 musical groups including chamber and symphony orchestras, choirs, instrumental ensembles. Pupils are members of National Youth Wind Orchestra, County Youth Orchestra and junior chamber ensembles. Drama and dance: Both offered as Bedales Assessed Courses (in place of GCSE); also A-level theatre studies, LAMDA exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions. Dance troupe to international exchange in Dubai. Art and design: On average, 45 take GCSE, 25+ A-level. Design, pottery, textiles, photography, printmaking, etching, screenprinting also offered.

Sports & activities

Sport: Large choice including swimming, volleyball, basketball, athletics, badminton, dance, tennis, judo, aikido, karate, martial arts, hockey, football (boys and girls), cricket (boys), rugby, sailing. County level netball and rounders players. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Outdoor work on the 120 acre estate. Importance of community service emphasised. Up to 50 clubs, eg cinema, drama, chess, photography.

School life

Uniform: No school uniform. Houses and prefects: No competitive houses or prefects. School Council elected by pupils (invented by Bedales in 1913). Advisory and management skills learnt through committees (some student-led) eg entertainments, charity, Green Bedales Committee, catering and ICT committees. Religion: Non-denominational school. No compulsory worship but pupils made welcome at adjacent parish church where a number are confirmed each year. Extensive PSE programme in small groups in the curriculum. Social: Organised trips abroad, ski trips etc. Meals self-service. School shop; café.

Discipline

Detention for academic defaulters. Anyone caught buying, bringing in or consuming drugs must expect to be expelled. Pupils punished for smoking and drinking.

Boarding

Small, mixed-age dormitories in single-sex houses. Upper sixth (in rooms for 1-3) in co-ed house as preparation for student life. Resident medical staff. Central dining room. Pupils can provide and cook own snacks. Exeats allowed on all but 1-2 weekends per year.

Association of former pupils

is run by Dennis Archer, oldbedalians@bedales.org.uk.

Former pupils

Gyles Brandreth (journalist), Daniel Day-Lewis (actor), Minnie Driver (actress), Julian Trevelyan (painter), Frieda Hughes (poet and artist).