If you’re looking for a boys’ boarding school with a strong focus on sport and the option to pursue the International Baccalaureate, we warmly
Located just 50 miles north of London, in a quiet market town not far from Oxford and Cambridge, Bedford School offers a refreshingly down-to-earth environment, despite its high academic standards.
As an all-boys’ school, Bedford places particular emphasis on providing pupils with the structure and security they need during their formative teenage years.
Akademis makes history – A Triple Award-Winning Consultancy (2023, 2024 & 2025) 🏆
Akademis has been recognised three years in a row by StudyTravel for excellence in the education sector:
2025 & 2024: Winners of the StudyTravel Secondary School Award (Best Western European Agency)
2023: Winner of the StudyTravel Star Award
(Best Western European Agency)
The StudyTravel Awards are among the most prestigious honours in international education, recognising outstanding quality, client focus and trusted partnerships. Being the first consultancy ever to win for three consecutive years is something we are deeply proud of. For us, these awards highlight our commitment to offering the very best guidance, personal service and long-term support for families embarking on this exciting journey.
Quick Overview
Age range: 7-18 Jahre
Number of students: 706
Boarders: 42%
International students 21%
Average class size: 8
Boarding fees per term: £17,244
The most important sports on offer besides the traditional team sports: rugby, hockey, cricket, rowing, golf, athletics, pilates, sailing, swimming, fencing
Nearest airport: London Heathrow (1 hour)
https://www.bedfordschool.org.uk/
Key Strengths at a Glance
strong in rowing and rugby
IB diploma
close to London, Oxford, and Cambridge
boys only
Bedford School – Photo Highlights
Bedford School in Detail
Sport
Rowing, Rugby – and So Much More – Bedford supports rugby and rowing to the highest standard – with its own historic boat club adding to the offering. We also love the school’s stunning, glass-fronted music centre, its beautiful library, and the purpose-built art school nestled beside its own sculpture garden. Whether a beginner or an elite athlete, every boy at Bedford is encouraged to reach his sporting potential. The facilities are outstanding: a modern gym, a 25-metre swimming pool, tennis courts, a climbing wall, and a cricket pavilion. The pride of place, however, goes to the Bedford School Boat Club – one of the oldest school boat clubs in England, with one of the finest fleets in the country. Rugby too is a major strength, and the school enjoys strong links with local sporting clubs, including the Northampton Saints.
Academic Life
At Bedford, education is not just about qualifications – it’s about enabling each individual boy to thrive and find happiness and success in his own way. The curriculum is carefully designed to support a wide range of strengths and aspirations. Students can choose between A-levels or the International Baccalaureate. Popular subjects include English, Computer Science, and Design Technology, alongside Maths, Geography, and languages such as Spanish, French and Latin.
The academic results are excellent: in 2021, 75% of A-level grades were A* or A, and the average IB score was an impressive 37 points (well above the global average of 33).
The Creative Arts
Alongside sport, Bedford has a vibrant reputation for music, art, and drama. Boys flourish creatively – whether sculpting in the art studios or performing on stage. The award-winning, glass-fronted Music School, designed by acclaimed architect Eric Parry, is a hub of musical activity, where boys can join choirs, bands, and orchestras. Every boy also has the chance to participate in theatre productions. The school’s theatre, built on the site of a former church, seats 280 and hosts regular performances as well as events like BedFringe – inspired by the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Clubs, Community and Character
With more than 60 clubs and activities on offer, Bedford helps boys discover and develop their individual passions. Whether launching a start-up, learning electric guitar, debating, volunteering, or joining the shooting club, the opportunities are extensive. Pupils can also enjoy chess, water polo, photography or get involved in the Media Group. Trips to art galleries, museums, and sports tournaments add to the excitement. There’s also a strong outdoor element, with opportunities such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.
Most importantly, these experiences build deep and lasting connections – between the boys themselves and with their teachers – fostering a genuine sense of brotherhood and community that is both strong and supportive.
This is Bedford
Bedford School Fees
Boarding fees at Bedford School are £17,244 per term, or £51,732 per academic year.
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Final Thoughts
If you’re seeking an all-boys boarding school with outstanding sports provision, Bedford School could be an excellent choice.
That said, it’s far from the only school in the UK with superb sports opportunities. We’d be delighted to advise you further and help you explore other excellent British boarding schools.
Thanks to our many years of experience and close relationships with schools, we’re able to offer reliable insights and honest recommendations. Together, we’re confident we can find the right school for your son.
Visit our Boarding Schools in England page for more information, and benefit from:
- Personal insights into each school
- Support with the application process
- Help with visa arrangements
What Makes Akademis Stand Out?
- We remain your trusted contact throughout your child’s stay, well beyond the placement process.
- We provide support with guardianship, visa applications and recognition of qualifications within the German school system.
- We offer fully tailored advice. Our school recommendations are unique to each child and can run to 40 pages in length.
- Families receive our 30+ page boarding school guide, packed with practical tips and insights.
- We prepare your child thoroughly for entrance exams and interviews to maximise their chances of success.
- We arrange school visits, ensuring you have the opportunity to experience each school first-hand.
Every boarding school has its own character and ethos. Having personally visited more than 100 schools, we understand these nuances. We also work with schools that do not pay commission, ensuring that our advice remains independent and always in the best interest of your child.
Our roots lie in the UK. For years, we have placed 200–300 families annually into British boarding schools. While our portfolio now includes schools beyond Britain, the UK remains at the heart of what we do.
Our tailored approach results in exceptional acceptance rates. For example, in 2022/23, all seven students we placed at the highly selective Malvern College received offers – a 100% success rate.
We arrange for prospective families to speak with our current students to hear first-hand accounts of life at a UK boarding school.
