Bedales > Curriculum & Exams > Introduction

At Bedales, we seek to encourage our students to find their own strengths, enthusiasms and methods; thirst for knowledge, inquisitiveness and academic excellence are celebrated and nurtured. Our aim is to give all students, whatever their ability, the best support and encouragement to ensure that they are able to maximise potential.

We believe that individual students need the opportunity to build their own sense of self-motivated academic discipline. This requires guidance at a personal level, rigorous monitoring and clear communication with parents.

From the earliest years, a student's sense of self-motivation and personal organisation is encouraged within a structured and supportive framework.

By the time they arrive in the sixth form, students will have established a sound independent academic discipline and a balanced perspective on broader aspects of learning.

The curriculum includes the traditional core subjects and also a breadth of subject choice unusual for a school of this size. Bedales has a distinguished scientific tradition, recognised in the recent redevelopment and expansion of its science laboratories. Opportunity for advanced study in languages and literature is matched by that in mathematics and computing; the proper exploitation of information technology to inspire individual study or provide shared access to knowledge is a school priority.

From September 2006 ten Bedales Assessed Courses will replace some GCSE subjects and provide more choice, depth and richness of learning for the students. For more details, click here.