Bedales
Sixth Form Academic Overview
The sixth form at Bedales offers an unusually broad and stimulating environment in which to spend the A Level years and to prepare for life beyond school. Serious academic responsibility and opportunities for leadership combine to create a challenging and rewarding experience.
Our primary aim is to develop inquisitive thinkers with a love of learning who cherish independent thought. Our founder, JH Badley, believed that involving “head, hand and heart” was the key to growth and development.This is still the cornerstone around which our innovative education system is built. A high percentage of students’ learning occurs within the classroom – and not just in the “head” sense – but an immense range also takes place elsewhere. Students in the lower sixth (6.1) share much of the responsibility for running the boarding and day houses, taking a pastoral role with the younger students and working closely with the housemasters and mistresses. In the upper sixth (6.2), students join a separate coeducational boarding house, enjoying an environment ideally suited to their many academic and other commitments.
Our top 10 university destinations are a diverse mix of Oxbridge, red brick and art college. Bedales students therefore arrive at a similar place to those in more formal educational settings. They have just taken a different route. The sixth form programme incorporates latest innovations like the accredited Extended Project and Music Pre-U, and the curriculum will undoubtedly continue to develop further in the future.
The students who will gain most from our community are those who will give most and join us wholeheartedly in this unique educational experience. Come and visit us (on one of our regular open mornings or an individual visit) to experience Bedales for yourself, and to quiz students and staff about the Bedales difference.
Each student's programme will include: academic study; physical education, games or Outdoor Work; service to the community; cultural and current affairs; moral, ethical and spiritual issues; and a programme of personal development. The normal academic programme in 6.1 is four AS subjects, reducing to three subjects at A2 in the second year.
Subjects available are: Art; Biology; Chemistry; Classics - Classical Greek; Latin; Classical Civilisation; Computing; Dance; Design and Technology (Product Design); Design and Technology (Systems and Control); Economics; English Literature; Extended Project; Geography; History; ; Mathematics; Further Mathematics; Modern Languages - French; German; Spanish; Music; Physics; Politics; Psychology; Religious Studies (Philosophy of Religion and Ethics); and Theatre Studies.
6.1 subjects are divided into option groupings - students entering the Sixth Form can choose no more than one subject from each of the columns in the AS table of subject options.
Subject Areas
This section provides information by department subject... more
Why Bedales?
I'd encourage you to step out of your imagination and come and see Bedales for yourself... more
Prospectus
We would be delighted to send you a copy of the Bedales Schools prospectus... more
Approach to Learning
Our primary aim is to develop inquisitive thinkers with a love of learning who cherish independent thought... more