►►►其它中学

Bedford Modern School 贝德福德现代中学, Manton Lane, Bedford MK41 7NT
Tel: 01234 332500 Fax: 01234 332550
Website: 
• CO-ED, 7–18 Day
• Pupils 1170, Upper sixth 160
• Termly fees £1987–£2786 (Day)
• HMC, IAPS
• Enquiries/applications to the Registrar

What it’s like
One of the Harpur Trust schools of Bedford, sharing in the endowment made to Bedford by Sir William Harpur in 1566. In 1974 the school moved to entirely new buildings on the northern outskirts of the town. The school is in the process of becoming co-educational, having admitted girls from 2003. It is a 45-acre wooded hill site with spacious playing fields. The school is extremely well equipped in every respect and includes sophisticated facilities for sport and technology, a dedicated sixth-form centre and junior school development. Academic standards are high and examination results very good. Strong in music, drama and sport and a wide variety of clubs and activities. A flourishing school with strong local support.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Total age range 7–18; 1170 pupils (girls admitted from 2003). Senior department 11–19, 945 pupils.
Entrance: Main entry ages 7–13 and 16. Common Entrance and own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C (grade B in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. 60% of intake at 11 from state schools (plus few to sixth form).

Scholarships, bursaries & extras 4+ exhibitions, value £250–£1500 for art (sixth form), music, drama and sport. Also means-tested bursaries (many for Bedfordshire residents). Parents not expected to buy textbooks; lunch for day pupils and music tuition extra.

Head & staff
Headmaster: Stephen Smith, appointed 1996. Educated at Loughborough Grammar School and Oxford University (history, education). Previously Deputy Head of Birkenhead School and Head of History at Loughborough Grammar.
Teaching staff: 84 full time, 2 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 38.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 139 pupils in Year 11; 96% gained at least grade C in 9 + subjects. Average GCSE score 61 (60 over 5 years).
A-levels: 102 in upper sixth; 100% passed in 2+ subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 352.

University & college entrance 87% of 2003 sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course, 6% to Oxbridge. 37% in science & engineering, 38% in humanities & social sciences, 15% in economics & business, 10% in IT subjects. Others typically go on to non-degree courses or into careers eg banking.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 27 AS/A-level subjects.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, AS-level general studies an option. 30% take science A-levels; 30% arts/humanities; 40% both.
Special provision: Some provision for non-native English speakers and for students with learning difficulties.
Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges to France and Germany. Close links with schools in Alzey, Germany.
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 200 computers for pupil use (8 hours a day), all networked and with e-mail and internet access.

The arts
Music: Up to 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 27 musical groups including orchestras, school band, wind, dance bands, woodwind, brass quintets, jazz etc.
Drama: Drama offered. GCSE expressive arts and A-level theatre studies may be taken. Many pupils are involved in school productions. Community drama group.
Art & design: On average, 30 take GCSE, 10 A-level. Design, pottery, printing, photography, textiles also offered.

Sport & activities
Sport: Rugby, cricket compulsory to age 13+, also athletics. Optional: rowing, water polo, table tennis, hockey, football, cross-country, shooting, badminton, squash. Sixth form only: golf, croquet, sailing. GCSE, RLSS, RYA exams may be taken. International table tennis representatives; rugby, county and regional reps at U16, U18.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. CCF and community service optional. Up to 30 clubs, eg badminton, squash, water polo, debating, chess; subject-based societies and activities.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy and head girl, appointed by the Headmaster after consultation with staff and sixth form. Sixth-form council.
Religion: multi-cultural assemblies (compulsory for those not specifically withdrawn).
Social: Debates, concerts, plays with other local schools. About 15 organised trips abroad each year, including French and German exchanges. Sixth form allowed to bring own car/bike/motorbike to school. Meals cafeteria-style. School shop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Alumni association is run by Richard Wildman, c/o the School.

Former pupils Keith Speed MP; R E G Jeeps (rugby); Vice Admiral Sir Ted Horlick; Major General Keith Burch; Richard Janko (Professor of Classics, University of Los Angeles); Sir Nicholas Lloyd (former Editor Daily Express); Christopher Fry; Tim Foster (rowing).