Providing High Quality Education
Offering high quality, distinctive and financially sustainable education
Our Schools
For more than 460 years, we’ve helped generations of young people in Bedford to unlock their promise and embrace their moment to shine in our outstanding independent schools.
- 75% of A level and IB combined grades were A* to B (or equivalent).
- IB Diploma average point score was 36.
- 97% gained a place on their preferred course of study at world leading universities.
- 75% of all GCSEs were awarded grades 9 to 7.
- 1 in 4 students achieved the highest grade of 9.
- A new Tech Lab was opened, a space for innovation and collaboration.
- A new Year 11 common room was created.
- Students took full advantage of BGS’ exceptional sports, performing arts, public speaking, tech and music opportunities.
- Students also enjoyed more than 100 co-curricular clubs on offer.
- Trips abounded including skiing in Italy, language trips to France and Spain, a Geography trip to Iceland and an Art trip to New York.
- Students celebrated the depth of diversity and talent within the wonderful BGS community at the school’s Culture Fest.
- At A level almost half of all grades were A*to A.
- 77% were A* to B.
- 29% of students achieved three A grades or better.
- Students took up university places at Oxbridge and other leading UK and overseas universities.
- Students took up highly competitive degree apprenticeships with major blue‑chip organisations.
- At GCSE 28% of exams were graded 9 and 49% were graded 9 to 8.
- BMS staged two acclaimed theatre productions: Sweeney Todd and Bugsy Malone.
- The school’s musicians gave standout performances across multiple concerts.
- 85% of students represented BMS in sport.
- Students took part in 947 fixtures, across 22 different sports.
- Students participated in 130 educational trips, both locally and abroad, including an A level Politics visit to Washington DC and a sporting tour to South Africa.
- Staff and students also benefitted from upgraded facilities, improved spaces, and enhanced learning environments.
- Over half of A level and IB grades were A or A*.
- Nearly 85% of grades were A* to B.
- 86% of boys secured places at Russell Group or Times Top 30 institutions.
- At GCSE, almost 75% were graded 9 to 7, marking Bedford School’s strongest results on record.
- A group of boys presented The DNA Snowdrop Project at The Royal Society Conference, demonstrating real‑world scientific research and collaborative learning.
- Bedford School formalised partnerships with Northamptonshire County Cricket Club and Northampton Saints Rugby Club - providing elite coaching opportunities and weekly staff training sessions designed to elevate coaching standards across the school.
- The joint production of Les Misérables with Bedford Girls’ School was a major success.
- The school welcomed Sarah McDonald, Vocal Music Fellow, who led inspiring workshops.
- A Fifth Form Music Scholar gained a sought‑after place in the Junior Programme at the Royal College of Music.
- Plans are in place to open Bedford School Mohali, Bedford School’s first international campus, extending the school’s values and educational philosophy to a new global community.
- Bedford School was honoured to be named a finalist for Independent Boys’ School of the Year.
- Pilgrims marked its 25th anniversary with its first-ever whole‑school reunion.
- Former pupils reflected on how the school shaped their confidence, friendships and skills, highlighting the long-term value of strong early foundations.
- An alumni network has now been set up.
- Pilgrims was named an NDNA Nursery Awards finalist.
- The school welcomed a new greenhouse for the gardening area and an all‑weather hub for Forest School, thanks to the Pilgrims Parents Association funding.
- These additions have enriched outdoor learning experiences for pupils.
- The school also achieved Eco‑Schools Green Flag reaccreditation.
- The Gardening Club earned Royal Horticultural Society Level One recognition, reflecting Pilgrims’ commitment to sustainability, excellence and pupil-led initiatives.
- Pilgrims introduced Priority Places for Year 2 pupils moving into Harpur Trust schools for Year 3 - reinforcing Pilgrims’ role as the Trust’s Pre‑Prep and supporting smoother transitions for families.
More Impact
Our mission is to nurture potential and improve people’s lives. Our strategy, Together for Bedford, commits us to enabling more children and young people facing disadvantage to achieve their potential, to provide high quality education with an impactful bursary programme, and to maximise our impact on the community in Bedford. Find out more below about how we have achieved these aims in 2024-25.
Our schools deliver substantial public benefit by maximising access to our facilities and expertise to further our charitable objects. The largest area of public benefit through our schools is the provision of means-tested bursaries to help lower-income families pay all or part of their school fees. Find out more in the links below.
More children and young people facing disadvantage achieve their potential
Our Accelerator Programme aims to enable more children aged 0-11 eligible for Free School Meals to reach the expected standard. We also host Bedford Giving, a collaboration to bring together the whole community to support children and young people in Bedford.
High quality education with impactful bursaries
For more than 400 years, we’ve helped generations of young people in Bedford to unlock their promise and embrace their moment to shine.
Maximum impact on community needs
Each year, we award £1m+ in grants, giving a diverse range of community groups the resources they need to tackle issues and seize opportunities.
Our Schools Bursary Scheme
We are committed to widening access to our schools. Each year we are able to offer some financial support to a number of students who show significant ability, but would otherwise be unable to afford the fees.
Our Schools’ Public Benefit
Students and staff from our four schools deliver substantial public benefit to local schools and the wider community to further our charitable objects, by maximising access to our facilities, providing arts and culture enrichment, science outreach activities, career and leadership events, supporting subject learning in local schools, as well as taking part in volunteering and fundraising for local charities.