Kimbolton or Bedford Modern

[WeveGottaGetTherouxThis]

I was just wondering if anyone could offer any insight into their experiences of either school? I have a son and daughter who are both currently at an independent pre prep, but we are hoping to relocate to the north Bedford villages in the next 6 months.

I would be particularly keen to understand if preparations for the entrance exams are necessary, and if we should consider a school like Pilgrims in the interim (we currently live in an area where this is not commonplace at age 7)?

Many thanks.

Bump

Have you visited them? They have quite a different feel. I found the Modern a very competitive and high pressured environment.
There are also the girls and boys’s schools.
Bear in mind if you live in the north Beds villages traffic down the A6 in the mornings are a nightmare.
Kids are bussed in from all over though by Souls and Three Star Coaches (there is another but I can’t remember their name). But most of the villages are on a bus route into Bedford, not sure about Kimbolton

You don’t have to go the Harpur trust pre-prep route, in our school the kids come from all sorts of schools. We did a bit of bond books for preparation. If they’re at a good Indy now I imagine they’ll be fine but I found school happy to advise.
Visit them all first though.

Thank you so much for your reply. Unfortunately we haven’t been able to visit them because of current restrictions, but can see from their websites / videos just how different they are. It is so interesting that you say Bedford Modern feels the more competitive and high pressured, as I was worried Kimbolton may have felt like that.

Thank you for mentioning traffic into Bedford, as it is precisely those villages we are hoping to relocate to!

Ah brilliant regarding bond book prep; the children are not currently in a Harpur Trust pre -prep (hoping to move them next academic year), but my eldest will have limited time there, so was worried about how we might prepare her for the next steps.

Thanks again - I really appreciate it.

Definitely stick them on the bus if you choose one of the Bedford schools. There's been roadworks for the past year to ease the route to Bedford Modern from the A6 and that's all finished now.

I can't speak for Bedford Modern but can for Kimbolton. Our daughter has been there since Reception. We did look at Pilgrims and although we liked it we preferred the route of going all the way through at one school and also loved the amount of green space Kimbolton had to offer in a village setting. I believe there is a Kimbolton school bus now from Bedford so if you are nearer to Bedford than Kimbolton that is a good option for you and generally you would be going against the traffic too. Hope that helps.

Hi
Just wondering - did you make a decision? We moved back to North Beds July last year, had to make choices during lockdown, very difficult. Our girls are older than yours but was just interest to see which way direction you took. They are quite different, along with Bedford Boys & Girls.

Also keen to hear views on BMS vs Bedford School...

Is it Bedford Girls you refer too?