Age range. 7–13.
Number of boys. Day Boys: 352, Boarders: 15, Weekly Boarders: 2, Flexi Boarders: 6.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Day: £6,314–£8,274, Full Boarding: £11,442–£13,585, Weekly Boarding: £10,223–£12,817. Fees include VAT.
Bedford Prep School is a thriving and vibrant independent day and boarding school for boys aged 7–13.
We believe that boys learn best when they’re happy and confident, and their curiosity is stimulated, so we feel it’s paramount that learning is fun, creative, inspirational and active. We also recognise boys learn differently from girls, and this informs our teaching. Whether it’s music and the arts, science and technology, language and literature, or sports and games, boys are encouraged to learn new skills and embrace new experiences.
Visit our classes and you’ll find boys thoroughly engaged in their learning, inspired by challenge, competition, high expectations and risk within a safe environment. Our expectations are high but achievable, and our curriculum encompasses and transcends the National Curriculum. Our bespoke Future Skills Curriculum teaches content and subject-specific skills for each subject while also explicitly developing skills, attributes and characteristics to ensure that every boy continually practises these skills and competencies and reflects on our school values. We believe that this enables boys to achieve success not only in the Prep School, but also as they move up to the Upper School, as well as throughout life in general.
Our extensive campus offers boys outstanding academic, sporting, music, drama and art facilities. We share the swimming pool, recreation centre, playing fields, Astro and tennis courts with the Upper School and make use of the school’s fantastic theatre and other specialist facilities.
Working with each and every boy, we help them to develop their sporting talents. We provide expert coaching in a wide variety of sports including rugby, hockey, cricket, golf, skiing, horse riding, cross country, swimming, badminton and rowing.
Creative arts are a big part of school life, with boys taking part in concerts, exhibitions and performances throughout the year. In our dedicated music building, with a state-of-the-art music technology suite and well-equipped practice rooms, many of our boys learn to play one or more instruments, with boys in Years 5 and 6 offered free starter lessons.
Boys can also get involved in a broad range of cocurricular activities: from cookery to steel band, chess to climbing – there is something for every boy.
A full range of wraparound care options is available to working parents. Boys can stay at school, free of charge, until 5.45 pm in our Late Room or join one of our before- and after-school ‘Day Plus’ sessions.
Eagle House, our purpose-built junior boarding house, is a real home from home for our boarders, who flourish in its warm, family atmosphere. Full, weekly, flexi and occasional boarding is available, enabling boys and their parents to find an option that is just right for them.
Admissions. Entrance assessments for the Prep School are held during the spring term, and all boys are assessed in English, maths and underlying ability. We will also request a report from your son’s current school.
We recommend that families come and visit us to see the school in action and meet the boys and staff. Please call admissions on 01234 362216 or email admissions@bedfordschool.org.uk to arrange a visit or request a prospectus. Charitable status. Bedford Preparatory School is part of the Harpur Trust, which is a Registered Charity, number 1066861.