Sherborne School(Boys) or Bedford School?

[MrWestinghouse]

Hi my son has received unconditional offers from both Sherborne School and Bedford School for A levels, which one has a better reputation and eton Harrow alike? Thanks 🙏🏻

My DD is at the girls school and will stay on to do A Levels but we live in a village not far from Bedford. The schools have close links because they are both part of The Harpur Trust. Allot of families have children in both schools.
In terms of location I dont think there is any comparison and Sherborne is certainly a much nicer place to live than Bedford (assume he will board) but it is only 35 minutes into London and same to Cambridge and the grounds and school are really lovely. Is your son sporty ?
I think Bedford School results for A2/IB are probably slightly better than Sherbourne ....
Eton and Harrow have a far better reputation but I think the DC that attend Bedford School are probably more grounded.

Thank you for your detailed information! It does help me a lot as I am not quite familiar with both schools.

It’s not only about reputation, it is what is right for your DS.

Haven’t you visited the schools and met housemasters? It really should be how you decide on a school.

I know nothing about Bedford School, but Sherborne is a very good school. It is not in the same league as Eton and Harrow, although I believe the current head is from Harrow.

Hi, we haven't got time to visit both schools although we would love to! We are from Hong Kong, another part of the planet. We applied both schools from the agent and I have done a little bit research myself. We are actually looking for a school that can teach him the traditional British culture!

If you live in Hong Kong then I would advise Sherborne as it has the ethos of full boarding school with mainly boarders rather than a day school which takes some boarders.

I can understand why your agent would suggest Bedford School - the school has always had strong links with Hong Kong......when the girls school was a boarding school it also had strong links with HK and China.
I still thing that Sherbourne is a nicer location than Bedford but for a 16/18 year old they may prefer the close proximity to London.

Thank you so much for you all! ☺️

Is it from Sherborne School or Sherborne International that you have the offer?

The Sherborne Boys School, not the international one.

Bedford School is just a fairly ordinary school, really. If you are after a really 'British' renowned school, Sherborne is far more famous and has more cachet. Nationally far more people will have heard of Sherborne. For example, I can't think of anyone famous who has been to Bedford School, other than a stand up comedian (Al Murray) and an England cricket captain . I only say this because you mention Eton and Harrow. I have never met anyone 'Eton like' in Bedford!

Bedford School is said to be quite caring but I have always thought it is very sport focused.

Bedford as teenmum says is just a rather uninspiring town. The school itself is stunning.

They’re odd schools to be choosing between, because they’re completely different from one another. Which would make me query whether your agent has taken the trouble to understand what you’re looking for and advise you accordingly.

Bedford is predominantly a day school with boarders attached, and I would assume a significant number of the boarders are from overseas ( worth trying to check this, although you may not get a straightforward answer).

Sherborne is an English public school in the traditional mould, with a long boarding tradition, and the school routine will be structured accordingly. I’d assume they’d have a much higher proportion of boarders and that more of the boarders will be British, though try and check if you can.

Sherborne is also a beautiful location, unlike Bedford- the only advantage of Bedford in this context would be proximity to London and airports.

Bedford school is actually recommended by the agent, I applied Sherborne school for my son as I know Alan Turing went to this school and I found the school is in the Eton Group. I always admired the old and traditional English schools, cos I believed not only those schools have produced a lot of distinguished pioneers in many fields but also can teach him how to behave like a decent and polite chap. But I found myself a bit unfamiliar with the Bedford school except for their excellent A level results.

I live in Bedford : I was aware they have had a good run of A level results in the last few years but the top A level results have not always belonged to Bedford School in the town, let alone nationally!

If you really are after some pseudo Eton that turns out pioneers, it's not Bedford School...

My understanding id Turing was miserable at school. But that's a whole other story.

They’re really not comparable schools - if you want the traditional English public school experience, then Sherborne is the one to go for.

If you want an urban day school with provision for boarders (many of whom I’d guess will be from overseas) then go for Bedford.

Piggy - I'm surpised at your comments about Bedford School's A level results - I;ve always believed that the HT schools have out performed any other school in Bedford - certainly when you take into account the IB results they do - in fact Bedford School's IB results are very impressive at an average of 37 points with two boys getting 45 the top mark.

I cant think of any decent schools with A level results in Bedford - the only schools who have decent results are Sharnbrook/ Sam Whit and Redbourne)

Bedford school is fab! it is not Eton or Harrow and so it will be unfair to compare them. It is a brilliant independent school with its own cache. It gets very very good results (much better than Sherborne!) and the boys are very well mannered. It has a very strong ethos of caring whilst also being a very sporty school, something plenty of the other big names do not seem to manage well. Mental health well being in particular is pushed very strongly.

Although predominantly day, a third of the boys board, and its not just international students, there's a good mix of local boys too. There is a vibrant boarding atmosphere. DS boards weekly but is begging to full board as he misses out on the fun at weekends.

If your boys loves rowing perhaps OP? its one of the few schools that offer rowing as a major sport. You can also opt out of Rugby after 2nd term of year 9.

Yes, I was comparing directly with BMS and BGS! I am sure they have both, over the years, had better A level results than BS. BMS doesn't do IB. I suppose my point was that BS is hardly stellar.

I'm surprised by what you say about Sam Whit!

ps it's RedbOrne

@OrphanWeek @Teenmum60 @Piggywaspushed @AgonyBeetle Thank you for your opinions in regard to both schools! They are both decent schools.I had obtained a lot useful information from you all! Greatly appreciated it 🙏🏻 My son isn't really that sporty, he is sort of gentle and dressy. He is aiming for Med schools so I presume not only academic is important but also a decent ethical training apparently needed.

There are a high number of girls going the medicine root next year into 6th form at the girls school.....not sure whether the same applies to the boys school....

Piggy I was very impressed with Sam Whit 6th form - very strong 6th form leadership - I think it could be the up and coming school in the area....If my dd was not continuing at BGS it would be my fall back....the high numbers of children in 6th form put me off Redbourne

Can't persuade you to spell Redborne correctly at all then?

Sam Whit has very good PR and has succeeded in changing its reputation. But it is an absolutely MAMMOTH school, so I am puzzled*. I have lots of experience of both and Redborne is by far the better school. But- hey-I don't think OP wants to send her son to either

*Sam Whit's sixth form is smaller because they offer fewer subjects and quite a few leave at 16 to go elsewhere, amongst few other factors.

Sorry Redbourne comes up as auto correct on phone rather than Redborne assume because Redbourne is a place.

I didnt actually comment on which was the better school...I just stated it was up and coming in my opinion - I have friends with daughters in both schools and my fall back would be SW....

Sorry op ...

If he really wants to do medicine then you also need to ask the schools what support they give in finding and supporting voluntary opportunities and work experience , as this can be as relevant as stellar academic results ins securing a place at medical school. A full boarding school may be better geared up for this. In terms of airport access Bedford connects to Gatwick directly by train although the journey takes a while. Check what coaches , taxis etc Sherbourne might arrange, probably via Heathrow. Neither are Eton or Harrow!

@LIZS Thank You very much for your information🙏🏻 Will take account of your suggestions here in regards to med schools!

You might find this helpful:

www.bedfordschool.org.uk/upper-school/beyond-bedford/university-destinations/