School Vision / Ethos

Bedford Free School (BFS) is a centre of excellence for students between the ages of 11-6, at the centre of the community in Bedford.

Set up in 2012 to offer families a real choice, we offer a strong academic curriculum, values-driven culture, very high standards, and excellent extra-curricular opportunities.

BFS has a culture with the highest expectations and aspirations for all pupils, delivering on the demand from parents in Bedford for an excellent education for their children.

Our school has a positive, ‘can-do’ culture built around our values of: 

•    Respect 

•    Honesty 

•    High expectations 

These are a part of our Trust values of Integrity, Ambition and Excellence and  drive all of our decisions.

The school is proud of the  “Sophie Test”. Named after the founding Principal’s oldest daughter, it is the guide to decisions leaders and their colleagues make about the school. Bluntly, if it is not good enough for their own children, then quite simply, it is not good enough.

Ideal for working families 

BFS is ideal for working families, providing school days that fit in with modern family life.  We teach students between 8.25am and 4.00pm, with facilities available from 8.00am-5.30pm. This is perfect for families who require flexibility around work.

The longer school day means pupils can be taught more. As you would expect, there is a tremendous focus on academic subjects; maths, English, science, history, geography, religious education, Spanish, French, music, PE, graphics, drama and computing.  BFS also offers an enhanced curriculum as we believe that pupils should have access to a wide range of experiences.

This enhanced curriculum, called electives, enables all pupils to access high quality extra-curricular activities during the school day, so that pupils leave as fully-rounded individuals ready for further study. It also means that all pupils can play for school teams.

Every day, pupils read a classic work of literature for half an hour, with pupils taking it in turns to read out loud. They also attend ‘prep’ – sessions of silent study. For younger pupils, this means that they have often finished their homework and can enjoy family life in the evenings. For older pupils, they have made a start – something that can typically be the hardest part of homework completion. There is also an extended supervised homework club every evening.

supporting family life

"Work hard and be nice"

Every pupil is an individual who can achieve extraordinary things. The journey may be tough, but colleagues are prepared to work hard for pupils – and expect them to work hard in return.

Within a learning environment, where high expectations in everything from achievement to attendance and behaviour are the status quo, the aim is that pupils who come to BFS will meet these very high expectations, and break through any barriers to very high standards of achievement.

As a new school in 2012, BFS was not burdened by unhelpful traditions or obstructive cultures. From how meal breaks are managed to the relationships between staff, pupils and their families, the school places each individual pupil’s needs at its heart.

All pupils are entitled to an academic curriculum, and hence examination results are really important, but BFS is geared towards so much more and considers the enrichment and development of our pupils. This wider curriculum provides pupils with a rounded education that prioritises personal and social development.

As pupils come to the end of their journey at BFS, they are given the opportunity and support to make the appropriate post-16 choice for them, be it onwards to further study at sixth form, university and beyond, into apprenticeships or vocational training or employment. The aim is for all pupils to have access to university at 18, and for the majority of them to be able to choose a highly-selective university.

Pupils are given that opportunity so they have the choices that mean that they can make the most of their future.