Bedford Girls Vs Bedford Modern

[Aliastoday]

I've seen some older threads on this but nothing recent. Looking for junior school entry for next year (2023) and considering both Bedford Girls and Bedford Modern. Would love to hear recent experiences. Thanks.

Hey, hope you don’t mind me jumping on @flowerycurtain! I just saw your post. My best friend sent her eldest daughter to bgs last September and she is flourishing! She absolutely loves it and they said they’re so glad they sent her there! Let us know what you decide and congrats to your daughter!

l had my daughter @ BGS for secondary school. Major disaster, the education is bad and yes only alpha females get the support. Rest are set a side with no support. You have to chase after teachers/ educational supervisors about kids progress and all you get is empty promises. The bullying culture, wow!! that’s at another level and even though you report it nothing is looked into. The last year was the worst. So glad my daughter is out of that toxic environment
it’s also a big financial burden with no results,
a-lot of my daughter’s class mates have left the school changing in the vital years. Not a good sign

Well, I've had daughters at BGS for the last 12 years (just 2 more to go!) and I don't recognise the place you're describing at all @TheKhakiStork. I'm sure some year groups are better/worst than others (it was the same when I was at school decades ago) but any bullying my daughters experienced has been stamped on pretty hard. As a father, the word I would use the describe the school when I've visited during the day is "feminine" - lots of giggling, boisterous energy - not some kind of snake pit!!

The sporting ethos is indeed a big part of school life and my DD who is sporty has had fantastic experiences traveling around the country to compete against other schools at a very high level. OTOH my other DD wasn't so fussed, but still had fun turning out for the D and E teams with her mates.

As said above, visiting BMS and BGS open days you will immediately sense the difference in the two schools. My DD's instantly gravitated to BGS, others we know did the exact opposite. Ultimately both (and Bedford School) are amazing.

I don’t recognise this either.
Both my girls are happy and flourishing.
Two very different children. One very sporty and academic One average, non-sporty and with quite a serious medical condition. Both thriving and loving school. I can’t fault the support my Dd has received since her diagnosis.

Not what my Dd experienced, was a real let down, so glad she is in a better environment now. I guess a certain cohort of kids do get the support and I’m glad for your DDs. When you look up stats the school doesn’t do very well in academics too very average. A lot locum teachers brought into cover n the most important year! Some not even qualified in the subject. I would beware of investing in BGS

@Motleyii glad you girls are doing well. I guess the sporty ones will but the quiet ones do get picked on. Quite a strange culture there. With all the sports investment no great records achieved. The sports your kids are good at are never encouraged 🤷‍♀️. Academics the less said the better. You can compare the stats on the national site

Just to update we chose BGS in the end and she is absolutely thriving. Very pleased with the school so far and now into our second year there. I’ve also done some mentoring of sixth formers and I’ve been quite impressed with them and the school.

@flowerycurtain we are considering moving our DD to BGS. She is great at swimming, dance and drama, creative and confident but not very academic, middle ability. She absolutely loved the taster morning, she left beaming and said she'd love to go, but I'm worried that she may be rejected as she's not a high achiever. What was your experience of the assessment and how is your daughter getting on their now with IB style of learning?

@BrenFurlong My daughter is probably middle academic ability. We sat her for BGS and BMS. My feeling about Bedford Boys and BGS is that if you are middle of the road but prepared to work hard they will work with you as a parent and she will do well. My daughter does speech and drama and loves it. There is loads and loads to go to in terms of clubs and extra curricular. Has she sat for any other schools? My experience of the assessment was that it was very similar to BMS, Wellingborough etc.

Mine loves the IB style of learning. They have a topic each half term and some of them have hugely inspired my daughter to research and to plan and create her own work. There is the odd topic she doesn't engage in so well but that's life I think. I found it hard to get my head around as a parent to begin with but I have seen her thrive with it. DM me if you have any other questions I can help with,

@flowerycurtain thanks so much for your quick reply. I will DM you.