The Block 3 (Year 9)
The Block 3 (Year 9) year is designed to instil the right appetites and dispositions to achieve success further up the school. In addition to work in the classroom, students have prep assignments to complete in their own time. Prep can be done at various times in the week, some of them designated and supervised. During the course of Block 3 it is expected that each student will establish effective working habits and an appropriate balance between academic work and other pursuits.
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Block 3 (Year 9), the students’ first year at Bedales, is unique in that there is no preparation for external exams. We have instead embraced an interdisciplinary, ‘real-world’ approach to our study of the humanities, which culminates in the Bedales Humanities Research Project.
Block 3 students will have one double lesson a week in each of the following Humanities subjects: Geography, Global Perspectives, History, and Philosophy, Religion & Ethics (PRE).
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Where students choose from a range of innovative courses designed to complement a core of I/GCSEs. Students currently study a compulsory group of five core I/GCSE subjects plus a choice of up to five Bedales Assessed Courses and/or other GCSEs. They also take two additional non-examined courses. New BACs in Modern Languages and Science are currently in development.
We introduced BACs in 2006 and they are well regarded by universities and employers and recognised by UCAS. Importantly, they are popular with students: the content of BACs is broad and stimulating, offering significant cross-curricular and independent-learning opportunities. Since we aim to develop a broad range of skills through the delivery of BACs, internal assessment includes a mixture of written assignments, presentations, projects and performances, together with examinations as appropriate. Each course is externally moderated.
In class, and particularly in the Bedales Assessed Courses, students are encouraged to question, to challenge, to think for themselves – visitors comment on a ‘no fear’ classroom atmosphere.
In addition to the core of English Language, Mathematics, one Modern Language and Double or Triple Award Science:
David chose Spanish as a second language and BACs in Theatre, English Literature and Dance.
Harriet chose BACs in English Literature, Outdoor Work, Philosophy, Religion and Ethics (PRE) and History.
Alice chose Triple Award Science and BACs in Geography, Art, Global Perspectives and Fashion Design.
Molly chose French as a second language alongside BACs in Art, Philosophy, Religion and Ethics (PRE) and Product Design and did Further Maths.
Saturday 27 September 2025, 10.30am
Come and experience the school for yourself as you look around the campus and meet some of the staff and students that make Bedales so unique.
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