Prospectus > What makes Bedales special

Photo: Theo Acworth

The public school system “simply won’t do!” claimed Bedales’ founder, J H Badley. He had no dogmatic system in mind; in fact the school has constantly experimented and changed, as educational thinking and the needs of children have evolved (our innovative 14–16 curriculum is a case in point). But four aspects of Badley’s vision still guide us:

 ‘Head, hand and heart’

An education for the whole person – and the opportunity, but not an obligation, to try everything. more ...

 ‘Individuality, initiative and intelligence’

We foster individuals, not conformists. It’s not the easy way – but it’s much more interesting. more ...

 One and all

Self-confident and considerate relationships – between students, and between students and staff – set the tone of the unique Bedales atmosphere. more ...

 Whole-day, whole-life school

Most Bedales students are boarders, and the rest might as well be, because there are so many activities to fit in, as well as time for personal and social relationships. more ...

 ‘Head, hand and heart’

A Bedales education encompasses not only ‘brain work’ (as in academic study) but ‘hand work’ (as in work on our farm, perhaps with the animals, or in the forge or the bakehouse) and the performing arts, notably music and drama. Most of these activities are in the curriculum, not treated as optional extras. Students can specialise according to their strengths, and we give them time to follow their interests. They have the opportunity, but not an obligation, to try everything.

 ‘Individuality, initiative and intelligence’

We want the individuality of every single student to shine through – and they can be very individual indeed, which is one reason why so many are so amazingly creative. We believe it is wrong to impose conformity, which is why, for instance, we have no school uniform. At the same time, we expect students to take responsibility for their own actions: we resort to rules only when discussion has not worked. It isn’t easy, but it’s certainly exciting.

One and all

Schools, families, workplaces, circles of friends – they succeed only if every member shows tolerance and concern for others. We devote a lot of time and care to getting these relationships right, and we symbolise this by using first names for everyone, staff and students. Visitors quickly sense the different atmosphere here. The result is that Bedalians typically go into the world with confidence. Because they are at ease in their dealings with others, they can take whatever life throws at them.

Whole-day, whole-life school

A Bedales education is an unusually intense experience. Students can pursue so many interests in depth. We also expect them to make so many decisions about how they organise their own lives – and to discuss and justify those decisions if necessary. They need time and concentration to get the most out of Bedales, so we operate as a boarding school, even though some students go home every evening or at weekends. And outside term they are equally free to concentrate on home life.