Activities

Through involvement in a broad range of activities, students flourish in their own way. For many of them, working with their hands can form the most memorable experiences of their time at Bedales.

Breadmaking happens on Thursday mornings. Volunteers have left the bread to prove overnight. The dough is kneaded then put into the wood-fired bread oven. Those who opt for sports are genuine enthusiasts, not conscripts. We're proud of our sporting record and the degree of students' involvement. However, it's not all about winning and we place equal emphasis on encouraging students of all abilities to participate and enjoy the games. Unsporty types can opt for Outdoor Work such as laying hedges, tending our sheep and other rural crafts.

Bedales has always aimed to give students the freedom to experiment and find out on their own. Within a safe structure, they can take small risks and build upon them. Performing on stage is one example. From full-scale school productions, such as Hamlet and Oedipus Rex, to student-directed work, there are lots of opportunities for performance. From the moment the house-lights darken, the students are in control of the theatre: it is their production. When students direct a play they are responsible for every detail. All those involved develop the art of balancing commitments both on and off stage. This helps enormously in other areas of school life such as managing heavy academic demands.

A wide-ranging programme of Activities is timetabled for Blocks 3, 4 and 5 (Years 9–11) during the period before or after supper, Monday to Friday. They vary according to the season. Some of them are run by members of the Sixth Form.

All pupils in Block 4 and above are given the opportunity to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. There are three levels of the Award: Bronze, Silver and Gold. At each level there are four sections: Volunteering, Physical Recreation, Skills and Expedition. For further details contact Philip Brittain.

Other Activities include:

Music

Choir; Chamber Music; Concert Band; Rock and Blues; Music Practice.

Sport

Aerobics; Aikido; Athletics; Badminton; Basketball; Cricket Nets; Distance Running; Diving; Fencing; Football; Golf; Hockey; Indoor Football; Judo; Karate; Lacrosse; Multigym; Netball; Rounders; Rugby; Sailing; Scuba Diving; Softball; Swimming; Table Tennis; Tennis; Triathlon Training.

Creative

Art Movies; Art Studio; Audio Visual Club; Blacksmithing; Dance and Jazz Dance; Decorative Stiching ; Design Workshop; Digital Photography; Drama; French Films; Photography; Spinning and Weaving; Textiles.

Practical

Bread Making; Cooking; Country Cooking; IT; Technology Room; Tools for Self Reliance.

Other

Board Games; Bridge Club; Chess Club; Hydrotherapy; Library; Remote Control Club; Voluntary Service

More on the wide-ranging programme of Activities

Students Listening Intently

A Day in the Life

View an outline timetable of a student which gives a flavour of a typical Bedales day... more

Bedales Students and Teachers Shaking Hands

Approach to Learning

Our primary aim is to develop inquisitive thinkers with a love of learning who cherish independent thought... more

Wooden Framework

Outdoor Work

Outdoor work on the school estate is available to students in the afternoon, and can be taken as an alternative to games...more

Students Moving Around Campus

Approach to Learning

Our primary aim is to develop inquisitive thinkers with a love of learning who cherish independent thought... more