Bedford Modern or Bedford School

[CuckoosLarkDove]

Hello

Very grateful for any views on BMS and Bedford School. We are relocating and looking at both for our DSs - one very academic, the other less so. Both would go into the junior school.

The academic one is also quite “quirky” and gets anxious (not diagnosed with anything) - he wants and needs challenging work but also a warm, nurturing environment. Neither are super sporty.

Both very social and one thing that worried me was whether the distance to school would be an issue - we’ll probably be 30 minutes drive away. Sounded like lots of other kids come in on the bus, but does that mean the schools lack a community feel?

Would love to hear about other people’s experiences. Thank you!

Hi @CuckoosLarkDove we're also relocating to Bedford next month and we're touring BS and BMS for our sons.
I have a friend who teaches at BS and I know lots of students that go to BMS, so I feel like I know what I'm up against.

BS seems to be more wellbeing and creatively focussed. They have phenomenal arts and drama facilities and their sport is also the best.
BMS is extremely academic and would probably get better results in that sense.

It seems to me that there are people who prefer one school to the other, I must admit I am romanticising BS as it is so impressive to look at and when we visited before the boys were so well mannered and impressively polite. I'm sure when we visit BMS it will be similar though and I will be back to square one.
Also worth noting that BS is more expensive by about £1000 per term however, food and after school care is included in that so not sure how much cheaper BMS would be after taking that into account.

I know lots of people who commute to the schools from 30mins away by bus and they manage just fine - but to be honest it is a reason that we moved to Bedford itself.

Thank you so much @notyournormal! I am really grateful for your perspective. And I am jealous that you are avoiding the commute! We are moving to be next to family, which will be wonderful, but the school run is definitely going to be a pain.

I agree with you that the arts and sport at BS look amazing. And the building/grounds look incredible from the pictures. One the things I was worried about is that non-sporty boys might have a harder time there; but perhaps the drama/creative stuff is equally as “prestigious” within the school?

I am really hoping that when I see them one will just click... Would you consider sending your sons to different schools? That is in the back of my mind as a possibility but DH is very against.

Hello,

I have a son currently at BS, we have been there for 5 years and he absolutely loves it.

My son is super sporty but also very involved in both music and drama and the school ensures that these are equally weighted. This is reflected in the school arts calendar; multiple tea time concerts, full formal concerts, house drama, choir productions and main school productions.

The lunchtime and after school extra curricular offerings are hugely varied and most boys do something different each day, it certainly seems that all tastes are catered for, definitely not just sport.

Re the academics - Bedford also pushes them hard, the amount of prep the boys receive is a lot and expectations of them are high. Exams are quite rigorous and seem more formal from what I hear about other schools.

I have friends with children at BMS who adore their school too, it does have a different feel ( we toured both) and I think most people who have done so just intrinsically feel one is the better fit for them.

If you have any other questions please do ask Good luck!

Thank you so much @mellowmocha! Really grateful.

So pleased your son loves Bedford - sounds like it has been a brilliant fit for him.

I wanted to ask you about Saturday school; at the moment the thought of it is slightly off putting; does it become normal quite quickly?

@CuckoosLarkDove Sorry to jump in but your questions were very similar to mine when looking at the Bedford schools.

The boys' school is wonderful but you do have to be happy with the Saturday school (I wasn't purely because of it feels we have limited time as a family anyway). There is also a heavy focus on sport if you look at the timetable, hence Saturday school being academic catchup.

I have several friends who are very happy with BMS. It wasn't for me - just a sense I got from looking round - but there's a lot on offer there, wraparound care very good, etc.

Don't discount the impact of the school run/buses on any of you though if they will stay day boys (eg for Bedford School). Whilst it might seem to be 30 mins at midday, given the traffic, persistent roadworks - particularly around BMS , and future plans for development in Bedford, just make sure you have ALL the information.

If you're going to living north of Bedford, you might also consider Kimbolton.

Thank you so much @MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet - that is super helpful. I am worried about too much timetables sport, because I think one of my DSs really won’t enjoy that!

Sounds like you didn’t go for either of the Bedford schools?

Kimboloton looks really lovely; but we are east of Bedford, towards MK, so I think it would be too far?

@CuckoosLarkDove Yes, we did end up going for Kimbolton. I really loved it when I visited and been really impressed since we started. Really welcoming group of parents too.

You're right it may not be the right location for you, but take a look at the buses: www.kimbolton.cambs.sch.uk/busservice Also, I had thought it was too far for me, but although mileage is a bit further than Bedford, the drivetime is shorter due to the type of roads taken.

I know parents with children at all the Bedford schools too and they are very happy, lots of opportunity for the children, academically stretching regardless of which one you go for.

Sorry @CuckoosLarkDove, days running away with me.

Yes as Mustbe says, you do have to be happy with the Saturday school. Tbh for us it just naturally evolved into the timetable as they don’t start it until y6 and gradually get you used to it in y4 and 5 with optional Saturday morning sport, but as you say if one of your son’s isn’t keen on that it might not be appealing.

Saturday is normal lessons until lunchtime and they even continued remote learning on Saturday mornings in lockdown and that was challenging I have to say..

Sport in the timetable is quite heavy tbh, whole afternoon weds, another double period games and another PE, the good thing is though if you aren’t particularly sporty in the traditional sense they allow you to chose other options including climbing, swimming, rowing, fencing, table tennis, squash etc so there are lots of options

Good luck with whatever you decide!