Joining Booklet 2020 2021 - Bedford School
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Joining Booklet 2020 - 2021
Key Contact Information Key Telephone Numbers & Email Addresses Bell Room (Reception) +44 (0)1234 362200 info@bedfordschool.org.uk Absences +44 (0)1234 362274 absences@bedfordschool.org.uk Harpur Trust Fees Office +44 (0)1234 369510 info@harpurtrust.org.uk Bursary +44 (0)1234 362244 bursary@bedfordschool.org.uk Medical Centre +44 (0)1234 362261 nurse@bedfordschool.org.uk School Shop +44 (0)1234 362266 shop@bedfordschool.org.uk Parents’ Guild parentsguild@bedfordschool.org.uk Useful Online Links School Website www.bedfordschool.org.uk Parents’ Section www.bedfordschool.org.uk/portals/parents/home Firefly Learning Platform www.bedfordschool.org.uk/portals/parents/firefly-vle Sports Fixtures & Results www.bedfordschoolsport.org.uk School Shop www.bedfordschoolshop.co.uk School Facebook Bedford-School School Instagram bedfordschool_uk School Twitter @bedfordschool School LinkedIn bedfordschool Emailing Staff Please visit www.bedfordschool.org.uk/portals/parents/staff-lists for a full list of our teaching staff. Staff emails are generally formatted as follows: first initial followed by surname (without any spaces or full stops) then @bedfordschool.org.uk
Contents
Welcome.......................................................................................05 Allergies......................................................................................................................... 22
New Boys’ Day .......................................................................................................... 06 Tuck Shop and School Shop ........................................................................... 22
Start of Term............................................................................................................... 06 The School Shop.........................................................................23
Pre-Season Rugby Training......................................................07 Appointments for Day Boys and UK Boarders....................................... 23
Pre-season Timings ............................................................................................... 07 Summer Opening Hours.................................................................................... 23
U15 Pre-season Tournament............................................................................ 07 Appointments........................................................................................................... 23
U16 and U18 Pre-season Match..................................................................... 07 Key Measurements................................................................................................. 23
Other Fixtures/Training in Holidays.............................................................. 07 Safety Measures........................................................................................................ 23
School Routines..........................................................................08 Contactless Payment............................................................................................. 24
Weekly Timetable.................................................................................................... 08 Online Ordering ...................................................................................................... 24
Exeats.............................................................................................................................. 09 More Than Uniform................................................................................................ 24
Returns and Exchanges....................................................................................... 24
After School ................................................................................10
Labelling ...................................................................................................................... 24
Clubs and Societies ............................................................................................... 10
Nearly New Shop .................................................................................................... 25
Academic Clinics...................................................................................................... 12
Basic School Uniform List................................................................................... 25
Prep.................................................................................................................................. 12
Games and Sportswear....................................................................................... 26
Pastoral Care................................................................................13 Additional Equipment.......................................................................................... 27
The Houses.................................................................................................................. 13 Additional Requirements for Boarders....................................................... 28
Tutors.............................................................................................................................. 13
Useful Information.....................................................................29
Tutor Groups............................................................................................................... 13
Term Dates................................................................................................................... 29
Academic Staff.......................................................................................................... 13
Lost Property.............................................................................................................. 29
Who to talk to about any concerns or worries?................................... 13
School Fees ................................................................................................................ 29
Buddy System............................................................................................................ 14
Payment of Fees....................................................................................................... 29
Peer-Mentoring........................................................................................................ 14
Transport - School Buses.................................................................................... 30
The Chapel................................................................................................................... 14
Visa Requirements ................................................................................................. 30
Medical Centre.......................................................................................................... 14
Cash Management Procedures for Boarders.......................................... 31
Sports Therapy / Physiotherapy..................................................................... 15
Insurance ..................................................................................................................... 31
Counselling at Bedford School....................................................................... 15
Academic Support.................................................................................................. 31
School Rules............................................................................................................... 16
Extra Tuition................................................................................................................ 31
Merits.............................................................................................................................. 17
English as a Second Language (ESL) .......................................................... 32
Commendations...................................................................................................... 17
Chinese Lessons....................................................................................................... 32
Detentions................................................................................................................... 17
Music Lessons............................................................................................................ 33
Communication .........................................................................18 Hotel Accommodation in Bedford............................................................... 35
Your key contacts ................................................................................................... 18 Travelling to Bedford from the Airports..................................................... 35
How we stay in touch .......................................................................................... 18
The Wider Community...............................................................36
Key Academic Dates.............................................................................................. 19
The Bedford School Association (BSA)....................................................... 36
Parents’ Evenings...................................................................................................... 19
Eagle Connect........................................................................................................... 36
Leave of Absence and Early Departures................................................... 19
The Parents’ Guild.................................................................................................... 36
Reporting Illness...................................................................................................... 20
The Old Bedfordians Club.................................................................................. 36
School Meals ...............................................................................21 Bedford School Foundation.............................................................................. 37
Typical Lunch Menu............................................................................................... 21
Forms............................................................................................38
Meal Arrangements............................................................................................... 22
Mandatory Forms.................................................................................................... 38
Special Dietary Requirements......................................................................... 22
Optional Forms......................................................................................................... 3805
Joining Booklet
BEDFORD SCHOOL
Welcome
A very warm welcome to Bedford School. We
look forward to working in partnership with you
and your son.
This booklet is designed to provide you with
an introduction to life at Bedford School, and
contains a great deal of useful information.
Please do get in touch if there is anything we
have not covered or of which you are unsure. Of
course, the same principle applies throughout
your son’s time at Bedford School. We are always
happy to have a conversation; we are here to
help - in whatever way we can.
Understandably, as a result of Covid-19, this year
is rather different to most, and as a result, the
usual start to the year will almost certainly need
to be adapted in line with the latest Government
guidelines and advice at the time. Until we have
final arrangements, we thought you would like
to read the ‘usual’ material now, which should at
least provide you with a framework for the new
year.
New Boys’ Day
We will stay in touch with you throughout the
Wednesday 2 September
summer, and continue to keep you abreast of Full details, including the timings
the latest updates and plans as circumstances and schedule for the day, will be
evolve. sent later in the summer.
I remain hopeful that we will be in a position Term will commence the following
to see each other face to face in September, morning, Thursday 3 September, at
although maybe at a social distance. 8.40am.
Until that day, I hope that you and your family
stay safe and healthy.
With best regards
James Hodgson
Head Master06
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BEDFORD SCHOOL
Schedule for the Beginning of Term
(subject to confirmation)
12:45 Buffet lunch in the boarding house.
New Boys’ Day
We look forward to welcoming all boys, together
with their parents or guardians, to the school on
Wednesday 2 September for New Boys’ Day. All Boys
During the day, there will be an opportunity for you to 14:00 All boys and their parents to the Great
meet with other new boys and their parents, as well as Hall. ‘Welcome to Bedford School’
your son’s Tutor. Pre-lunch drinks will be followed by a presentation from the Head Master,
buffet lunch, a service in the school Chapel and then James Hodgson.
afternoon tea. Day boys will have the opportunity to 14:45 Chapel Service for new boys and their
see their day house, and boarders, together with their parents.
parents, will have the chance to see their boarding
15:30 Tea on the Music School lawn.
house. Your son will be welcomed to the school by his
Housemaster and the Head Master, James Hodgson. 16:15 Day boys depart and boarders return to
their boarding house.
Your son will receive his welcome pack on this day,
which includes helpful information, such as his
timetable, school campus and classroom maps.
Start of Term
Wednesday 2 September 2020
Please note: All boys should be accompanied by a Thursday 3 September 2020
parent or guardian, and be dressed in their school 08:40 Term starts with Joint House Assemblies
uniform. followed by Full School Assembly.
Day Boys
12:45 Day boys and their parents to arrive at
the foyer in the Main Building.
13:00 Parents and boys will be welcomed by
their Housemaster and then escorted
to pre-lunch drinks, followed by buffet
lunch.
Boarders
11:00 New boarders and their parents to arrive
at their boarding house. (There is no
need to arrive before 11:00)
11:30 Induction and Q&A Session with
Housemaster / Matrons.07
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BEDFORD SCHOOL
Pre-Season Rugby Training
This is our rugby term. Please do not worry if this y Water
is not your son’s favourite activity, or if he has not
y Lunch (money if buying lunch in the town)
played before; we try to make it enjoyable, as well as
competitive, for all.
We hope to offer the following rugby pre-season There will be medical provision for the sessions
training this summer. However, this will be subject to but please let me know of any necessary medical
the latest Government and school guidelines around information upon arrival.
Covid-19. We will notify all parents of any changes to
There is no cost for this, and you do not need to let Mr
the plans outlined below.
Hinkins know if you can or cannot attend.
Fourth Form (U14) and Remove Form (U15) pre-
season training should run from Wednesday 26
August to Friday 28 August 2020. The sessions are U15 Pre-season Tournament
open to all playing levels. For consistency, please At Bedford Modern School on Saturday 29 August
make every effort to attend each session. However, 2020 from 10:00 – 13:00.
please be aware that non-attendance to these
sessions will not influence selection at the start of the
year, as players are selected on merit. U16 and U18 Pre-season Match
At Bedford School on Saturday 29 August from
Pre-season Timings 10:00 – 12:30.
09:30
Langham Pavilion changing rooms opened Other Fixtures/Training in Holidays
10:00 – 12:00
Session 1 U18 and U16:
1. U18 residential tri-nations tournament at
12:00 – 13:00 Merchiston Castle School – leave Friday 16
Lunch - will not be provided and boys can leave the October and return Sunday 18 October. There will
school site in small groups if required. Please be aware be cost for transport and accommodation (full
that we cannot take responsibility for the boys unless board). Approx cost £250-£300
they remain on the school site.
2. Training - Thursday 29 October and Friday 30
13:00 – 14:30 October 2020, 10:00 - 12:00
Session 2
There may be a training game on Friday 28 September U15
(yet to be organised); if not then normal training. Langley Festival (residential tournament) on the first
Boys will require: weekend of the October half term, Saturday 17 and
Sunday 18 October 2020. There will be a cost for
y Training kit appropriate for the weather (doesn’t accommodation (B&B) of approximately £80.
need to be Bedford School kit), including boots,
mouthguard and any other protective equipment
Please do not hesitate to contact Mr Hinkins, if you
have any queries.08
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BEDFORD SCHOOL
School Routines
Weekly Timetable
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
TUTOR PERIOD
-
08:35 - 08:55
PERIOD 1
08:40 - 09:20
08:55 - 09:35
PERIOD 2
09:20 - 10:00
09:35 - 10.:15
PERIOD 3
10:00 - 10:40
10:15 10:55
BREAK
10:40 - 11:00
10:55 - 11:15
PERIOD 4
11:00 - 11:40
11:15 - 11:55
PERIOD 5
11:40 - 12:20
11:55 - 12:40
SCHOOL CHAPEL SCHOOL
LUNCH ASSEMBLY ASSEMBLY ASSEMBLY
13:55 - 14:10 13:55 - 14:10 13:55 - 14:10
PERIOD 6
C
14:15 - 14:55 MATCHES
PERIOD 7 GAMES & GAMES &
A
14:55 - 15:35 ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES
PERIOD 8
S
15:35 - 16:15
PERIOD 9
16:30 - 17:10
EXTRA CURRICULAR PROGRAMME TO 18:00
PERIOD 10
17:10 - 17:50
The main sports are rugby in the autumn term,
There is a standard weekly timetable for lessons. hockey and rowing in the spring term, and cricket and
Lessons last for 40 minutes and start at 08:55 each day rowing in the summer term.
with the exception of Saturdays when they start 15
minutes earlier at 08:40.
Saturday Morning Timetable
On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, boys take part Occasionally, the school will operate a Saturday
in games and activities. Sports fixtures against other morning timetable on one day during the week. This
schools are usually played on Saturdays. typically occurs ahead of an Exeat weekend, when09
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BEDFORD SCHOOL
there are no Saturday classes, but also as required
during the term. This ensures that boys do not miss
out on the lessons studied on a Saturday.
When the Saturday morning timetable is in effect,
boys attend the lessons that they would have on a
Saturday morning instead of that morning’s usual
lessons. After lunch they revert to their normal
timetable for that day.
Exeats
Each half term there is one Exeat weekend (with the
exception of the second half of the summer term),
which provides both boys and staff with a well-earned
break from their busy timetables. On Exeat weekends
school finishes at 16:15 on Friday and resumes at
08:35 on Monday. Boarders are expected to leave their
houses by 18:00 on that Friday and return between
18:00 and 21:00 on the Sunday or before school on
Monday. During the Exeat boarders are expected to
stay with their guardian.
Dates of the Exeat weekends for the next academic
year can be found in the term dates section of this
document.10
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BEDFORD SCHOOL
After School
Clubs and Societies
The school offers an extensive and diverse range of clubs and societies. We actively encourage boys (though most
need little encouragement!) to participate in a new activity each term when they join, as well as trying out things
that they would not normally consider. It is an ideal way to discover new interests or unsuspected talents!
Clubs and societies typically run at lunchtimes and between 16:30 and 18:00 during the week. There are a wealth of
academic extension opportunities available to boys in all year groups each week in the form of academic societies.
Most clubs are open to all boys but a few are specific to the Sixth Form. Your son’s Tutor will provide your son with
details of the clubs available, how to find out more and join during his first few weeks. There is no charge for most
of these activities.
Below is a list of just some of the clubs and societies that are currently available:
Academic
Ancient Greek Appetite for Art Archer Martin Society Architecture Society
Art Art History Art Society Biology Society
Chemical Society Classics Extension Classical Society Creative Writing Society
Current Affairs Society Computer Programming Debating Society English Society
Design & Technology Esperanto Club French Society French Sixth Form
Preparation Club
Geography Society German Society Harpur Science Forum History Society
Humanities Society Italian Club Latin Vocab Law Society
Life Drawing Linguistics Olympiad Mitre Club Oxbridge & Biomedical
Admissions Preparation
Philosophy & Theology Pythagoreans Society Revision Skills Science & Engineering
Society Society
Study Skills11
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BEDFORD SCHOOL
Wider Interest
Aeronautical Club Army (CCF) Astronomical Society Beekeeping Society
Charities Committee Chess Club Christian Union Duke of Edinburgh’s
Award
iDEA Award Film Society Fourth Form Drama Inspiring Digital Enterprise
Society Award (iDEA)
Media Club Model United Nations Public Speaking RAF (CCF)
Robotics Club Royal Navy (CCF) School Magazine Technical/Lighting Club
(Ousel)
Warhammer Society
Music
Adrian Boult Society Brass Ensemble Chamber Orchestra Chamber Groups
Chapel Choir Choral Society Consort Choir Dance Band
First Orchestra Grade 5 Theory Guitar Ensemble Jazz Ensemble
Jazz Orchestra Lunchtime Concerts Media Club Music Tech & Composition
New Music Society Ousel Podcast Percussion Ensemble School Band
Second Orchestra String Chamber Groups
Sport (outside of main games time)
Archery Badminton Basketball Core Fitness
Cricket Fencing Fitness Suite Futsal
Hockey Karate Pilates/Core Rifle Club
Rowing Conditioning Rugby Sevens Rugby Fitness Rugby Skills
Running Club Squash Strongman Strength & Conditioning
Swimming Table Tennis TAG Fitness Tennis
Water Polo Weight Training12
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BEDFORD SCHOOL
Boys in the Fourth Form (Year 9) will have an Prep is recorded on Firefly, our virtual learning
opportunity to sign up to try a number of platform. Boys are encouraged to download the
extracurricular sessions as part of the first citizenship Firefly app to their mobile phone to assist with prep
morning of the year on Wednesday 23 September. organisation.
A weekly timetable and further information about The school’s prep policy will be outlined by tutors at
all the school’s clubs and societies can be found on the start of term, and is also available in the school
Firefly (the school’s E-learning platform). policies section of the school website. Housemasters,
Tutors and subject teachers are able to offer advice
and guidance on homework.
Academic Clinics
Academic Year Heads run supervised prep sessions
The school has always provided support opportunities for each year group at least once a week from 16:30
in academic subjects outside of timetabled lessons. – 17:30 in term time. In addition, the Library is open
These academic clinics take place either at lunchtimes Monday to Friday in term time until 19:00 for boys
or after school. A timetable of clinics is published to complete work. All boys are welcome to take
each term on Firefly and a link to the schedule is advantage of these opportunities for prep and/or
included in the weekly bulletin to parents. Tutors will revision. Those boys whose academic progress gives
encourage boys to attend these clinics as appropriate, us cause for concern may be required to attend these
and help to design timetables for boys in particular sessions, but the opportunity is available to all boys
need of support. from all year groups; boys just need to turn up for the
start of the session.
Prep Boarders have two hours of scheduled prep time each
evening in their houses during which either their
Prep (homework) is an essential and important part Housemaster or a visiting Tutor is on hand to offer
of your son’s education. All boys can expect to be set guidance and support.
prep on a regular basis by their teachers in all their
subjects. The teacher will make it clear at the start of
each term on which day prep will be set and when
they expect it to be completed and handed in.13
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BEDFORD SCHOOL
Pastoral Care
attend a one-to-one appointment with his Tutor to
The Houses discuss his academic progress, and will be asked to set
There are six day houses and six boarding houses in aspirational targets in all subjects. In instances where
the Upper School. Each day house is twinned with we believe a boy is under-performing, the school
a boarding house to ensure that all boys interact in will be in touch with parents, either via the school
every area of school life. Your son will remain in the reporting system, or directly. Likewise, when boys are
same house throughout his time at Bedford School. doing especially well we are keen to recognise this
and will be in contact with you.
Day House Boarding House
Ashburnham » Sanderson’s
Tutor Groups
The school operates a vertical tutor group system,
Bromham » Burnaby which allows new and younger boys to grow and
develop alongside older boys, inspiring them to
Crescent » Pemberley achieve similar levels of success. Boys meet with their
Tutor every weekday at 08:35 before lessons.
Paulo Pontine » Redburn
St Cuthbert’s » Phillpotts Academic Staff
St Peter’s » Talbot’s A full list of academic staff in the Upper School can be
found in the parents’ section of the school website.
The twinned houses regularly take part in activities
together, such as House Singing, House Drama, House
Tug-of-War, House Charity Run and numerous inter- Who to talk to about any concerns or
house sports competitions, to compete to win the
coveted House Cup.
worries?
At Bedford School we encourage boys to talk about
any worries or concerns that they might have. Parents,
Tutors too, should be assured any worries or concerns they
Your son’s Tutor will also remain the same throughout have will be taken seriously by the school. Normally,
his time at the school, which allows them to get to boys and parents are encouraged to speak to their
know each other well and build a high degree of trust. Tutor or Housemaster as a first port of call about
His Tutor will follow his academic progress closely and, anything that is on their mind. Some teachers have
in partnership with you, provide direct and individual special training in dealing with safeguarding, child
support and guidance. protection and difficult issues including: Dr Koch,
Mr Everitt, Mr Bury and Mr Hodgson. You can email
Together with your son’s Housemaster, his Tutor them directly or ask the Vice Master’s PA to make an
will work to ensure that he settles in quickly and appointment. Boys can make an appointment to see
successfully. We encourage parents to contact Tutors one of the school’s counsellors. The counsellors are
by email if they have any concerns about their son ‘independent listeners’, not members of the school
that they wish to share with us. staff, available to both boarders and day boys. Full
contact details can be found here. Boys can also
In addition to his daily Tutor periods, your son will speak to the Chaplain, Mr McCleery, or any of the
also receive formal academic tutorials at specific
points in the school year. Your son will be asked to14
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BEDFORD SCHOOL
school nurses in the Medical Centre, which is open the holidays, and provides pastoral counselling and
every day. support to any member of the school community.
Buddy System Medical Centre
When boys start in the Fourth Form they are assigned The school has a professionally staffed and equipped
a ‘buddy’ partner who will be one of the older boys in medical centre which offers all boys a kind,
their tutor group. This is someone to whom they can confidential and professional service. They deliver a
turn at any point in those early days whenever they high standard of nursing care, aiming to treat every
have a question about where to be, who to speak to pupil holistically, looking at his social, psychological
or how something works. and physical needs. The medical centre has a
treatment room, bedroom and a quiet seating area.
Peer-Mentoring Medical Questionnaires
During the second half of the autumn term every Medical questionnaires are completed before
Fourth Form boy is given a peer-mentor - a Lower admission to the school. The school nurse will check
Sixth student from his own house who has been these and identify any health issues. If necessary,
trained in mentoring, listening skills and safeguarding. a care plan is written in consultation with you and
Each of these Lower Sixth boys knows, from his own your son. It is essential that your son’s medical
experience, how valuable it is to have an older boy questionnaire is completed and sent to the school by
looking out for him. In practice this might consist Monday 15 June. We may be unable to allow your son
of an informal, occasional chat about hobbies or to start with us if this form has not been completed
fixtures, or a pre-arranged regular meeting to talk and returned to the school.
through issues surrounding friendships or school You will also be asked to regularly update your son’s
work. Mentors will also play a valuable role as the medical information during his time at the school to
boys progress through the years, giving support and ensure that his medical record remains accurate.
guidance to those going through public exams, for
example. Of course, boys are always welcome to
EU Medical Cards
come and share their successes and challenges with
members of the house staff who are on duty in and Boys from within the European Union (EU) should
around the houses throughout the day. bring their medical card with them at the start of each
term.
The Chapel Staff at the Medical Centre
y Jill Turner-Webb, Lead Nurse
The school welcomes all faiths. Its foundation is
nevertheless rooted in the Christian tradition and y Trish Comerford, School Nurse (part time)
the chapel plays an important part in the life of the y Karen Henry, School Nurse (part time)
school community, symbolising Bedfordians past
and present, and providing a daily reminder of life’s y Holly Clifton, School Nurse (part time)
spiritual dimension. y Claire Collins, School Nurse (part time)
Families are always welcome to join us for Sunday y Lisa Kenna, Administrator (part time)
Services in the chapel. Details of services can be found The nursing team are available during term time from
on the chapel page on the website. 08:15 to 17:30, Monday to Saturday.
The school Chaplain, Mr Neil McCleery, is available The school Medical Officers are local GPs from the De
throughout the school term and during much of Parys Medical Centre. They are available in school each
Tuesday and Thursday between 10:30 and 11:30.15
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BEDFORD SCHOOL
All full boarders are registered as NHS patients at the
De Parys Medical Centre upon joining Bedford School.
Counselling at Bedford School
The school has a long established counselling service.
Medical Officer All boys are free to visit and talk to a school counsellor
Dr Goulding SMO is the school’s registered Medical in complete confidence for help and support during
Officer. Dr Goulding along with other partners from difficult times. Boys can seek help and advice on a
the De Parys Medical Centre share the weekly sessions wide range of issues.
and Saturday cover. Parents can also be seen, and referred to counsellors
in their locality, if ongoing support is required.
Sports Therapy / Physiotherapy Counsellors are available at school during term time:
A sports therapist/physiotherapist is usually available Monday 12:00 - 17:00
on Tuesday between 12:00 and 15:00, and Thursday Tuesday 12:00 - 15:00
between 12:00 and 17:00 during term time. The Wednesday 12:00 - 14:00
current charges are £20.00 for a 30 minute session. Thursday 12:00 - 17:00
Friday 12:00 - 14:00
Appointments with the sports therapist/
physiotherapist should be booked directly with the Appointments can be made by emaiing counsellor@
provider. bedfordschool.org.uk, by calling +44 (0)1234 362248
(voicemail available) or through the school medical
Contact Details (The Stables Therapy Centre)
centre: +44 (0)1234 362261.
Tel: 01234 349464
Website: www.stablestherapycentre.com - select
online booking and choose Bedford School as the
location.16
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BEDFORD SCHOOL
School Rules Mobile Phones
The Upper School rules state that ICT, including all
Copies of all school policy statements, including the portable electronic devices, must be used responsibly.
school rules, can be found in the parents’ section of It is forbidden for boys to store or send inappropriate
the school website or offensive material. Boys are not permitted to
www.bedfordschool.org.uk/portals/parents/ use mobile devices in the Dining Hall, and are not
school-policies. permitted to have headphones in their ears when
on the school site. The school reserves the right to
Money and Valuables confiscate a phone if it is known or suspected to have
We encourage all boys to take responsibility for their been used inappropriately.
belongings and request that boys do NOT bring
expensive or desirable belongings to school unless it Using phones responsibly means:
is absolutely necessary. Valuables are not covered by y Using them for legitimate reasons at school such
school insurance and under no circumstances will the as:
school accept any liability for their loss or damage.
y Phoning home
We recommend that:
y Checking emails
y Boys make sure that their belongings are marked y Accessing Firefly
clearly and permanently. The marking should
be distinct, so as to make it easy to return lost y Keeping organised
property. Name and postcode are among the y Not having phones out whilst walking round the
most useful details to record on valuable items school
such as laptops.
y Not having phones out in classrooms unless given
y Boys keep valuable items out of sight and out of explicit permission by the teacher
reach.
y Not taking or sharing photographs of people
y Bicycles should always be securely locked with a without their permission
strong chain and left only in the bike sheds.
y Not playing games or being on social media
y Musical instruments should be kept safely in
y Not sending or viewing anything inappropriate or
the Music School or kept with boys. Valuable
that has the intention to hurt or demean others
belongings should not be left in bags, lockers or
(cyber-bullying).
in clothes hanging in houses. Mobile phones can
be handed in to the Bell Room for safekeeping. The school has an IT Network Use Policy which says
no one may seek out, store or transmit material that
y Valuables may be left in the secure lockers in the
might be deemed inappropriate or offensive. Viewing
recreation centre or in lockers in the day house.
or downloading any material which the school
y Bags should either be carried or left in an believes is unsuitable, at any time, is strictly prohibited.
authorised place such as a common room. Use of VPNs is not allowed. The school also has an
y Losses should be reported immediately, in all Anti-Bullying and Anti-Cyberbullying Policy that
cases, to a member of staff together with any applies both in and out of school.
helpful details. The best chance of recovering Boys in the Upper School are reminded that it is
property is to report the loss immediately. We ask a breach of Public Examination Regulations to
that boys also do let us know when their property take a mobile telephone into an examination. The
has been found. same rule applies to all school examinations.17
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BEDFORD SCHOOL
Merits
Academic and conduct merits are awarded to boys
for good effort, attainment and behaviour. Parents are
informed via email when their son is awarded a merit.
Commendations
Commendations are awarded for boys whose
academic work or conduct exemplifies the school’s
values in an outstanding way. Each term a handful of
Head Master’s Commendations are also awarded for
exceptional work or conduct.
Detentions
Conduct Detentions
Conduct detentions are given for misbehaviour: when
a boy breaks school rules or behaves in a way that is
unacceptable to the school. They cover areas such as
general misbehaviour, lateness, poor appearance, bad
manners and non-attendance at games.
Conduct detentions are held on Monday evenings
from 16:30 – 17:30 in Room A13 and are supervised by
a member of staff. Parents, along with the boy’s Tutor
and Housemaster, are routinely informed if their son
receives a conduct detention.
Academic Detentions
Academic detentions are primarily for unsatisfactory
work. They cover areas such as failure to hand in
homework, work of a poor standard, work poorly
presented, under-achievement in tests, etc.
Academic detentions are held on Friday evenings
from 16:30 - 17:30 in Room A13 and are supervised
by a member of staff. Parents are routinely informed if
their son receives an academic detention.
Conduct and academic concerns are recorded by your
son’s Tutor. Any conduct or academic warnings boys
receive are communicated to parents via an automatic
email notification. Full details of these concerns and
warnings can be accessed via the school portal.
Additional information on detentions and other
sanctions are detailed in the school’s Behaviour Policy.18
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BEDFORD SCHOOL
Communication
Communication between parents, boys and staff, There are Academic Year Heads for the Fourth Form,
both formally and informally, is valued and is seen as Remove Form and Fifth Form. In the Sixth Form, the
integral to each boy’s success at the school. Academic Year Head has particular responsibility for
the A-Level boys, with the Director of IB undertaking
We encourage you to develop strong relationships this responsibility for those boys studying IB.
with your son’s Housemaster, Tutor and teaching staff,
and to get in touch with any concerns, queries and,
importantly, successes, both in and out of school. How we stay in touch
School Website
Your key contacts The parents’ pages of the school website host a
wealth of useful information including notices, school
Your Son’s Tutor
policies, term dates, the school calendar, staff lists,
Yours son’s Tutor is your first point of contact at the parent letters, news and events, as well as links to our
school. Your son’s Tutor will be in contact with you, by dedicated sports website, the secure parents’ portal
phone or email, at least once each half term to update and Firefly (e-learning site).
you on your son’s progress and is happy to discuss any
queries or concerns you may have. The pupils’ pages of the school website include a
similar selection of information tailored to their needs.
Your Son’s Housemaster
Your son’s Housemaster is also a key contact within Secure Parent and Pupil Portals
the school and is, likewise, happy to discuss your son’s We offer parents and boys online access to a variety
progress and help with any queries or concerns you of information via our parent and pupil portals. These
may have. portals are real time and cover such areas as reports,
rewards and conduct, timetables, activities, exam
NB: Please make a note of their email addresses in the results and detentions. We will write to you shortly
Housemaster letters that will follow. before the start of term with details of how to self-
register for the parent portal. Boys are automatically
Academic Year Heads granted access to the pupil portal through their
Your son’s Tutor and Housemaster are the first port school network account.
of call, and they will be keeping a close eye on
your son’s wellbeing through regular Tutorials and Firefly (school e-learning site)
House Meetings. In addition, our Academic Year The school has an online teaching and learning
Heads provide an additional support for boys. These resource called Firefly, which can be accessed via the
members of staff have particular responsibility for parents’ section on the website. Boys and parents will
monitoring the academic progress of boys in each find details of each subject and year group’s schemes
year group. They work closely with Tutors to offer of work and other topic resources, as well as revision
interventions to enhance academic performance, to material.
help address academic concerns if they arise, and to
encourage and congratulate boys whose academic There is also information about the UCAS university
performance is worthy of particular recognition. They application process, public and internal exam
also lead year-group specific academic assemblies, procedures, learning support opportunities and extra-
revision workshops and supervised preps and work curricular details, amongst other areas of school life.
groups.
Boys’ prep is also set via Firefly, and parents can keep
an eye on the work their son is being set. Parents19
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BEDFORD SCHOOL
need to log into Firefly using their son’s username and Once you have signed up, you can use Classlist to talk
password. to other parents, find out about the Parents’ Guild and
the activities they’ve got planned, join (or even set
The Firefly app can also be downloaded from the App up) special interest groups, discuss arrangements for
Store or Google Play. parties and lift-shares, and even find a home for an
old bicycle. It’s simple to use and we hope will help
Sports Website to introduce you to even more of our fantastic parent
Our dedicated sports website holds details of all our community.
fixtures and results as well as team sheets and useful
directions for away fixtures: If you do have any queries about Classlist, please
contact the Parents Guild at parentsguild@
www.bedfordschoolsport.org.uk bedfordschool.org.uk.
To access the team sheets, please use the password:
deparysav Key Academic Dates
A web app is also available for the sports website. Each year we publish a schedule for parents which
Instructions on how to add the web app to a mobile highlights the key academic events and dates
phone can be found here. throughout the year, such as parents’ evenings,
academic information evenings and exam periods.
Bulletins and Emails This also contains a link to the annual reporting
We send parents regular emails and newsletters, to cycle. We hope that this helps you to track your
ensure that you have all the information that you son’s progress throughout each academic year and
need for your son as well as news about the wider assists you in guiding your son through key academic
school community. decisions.
Each week during term time we send a newsletter The key academic dates listing can be found in the
called The Week, which provides a round-up of the parents’ section of the school website.
week’s top stories and the Upper Bulletin, which
contains all the key information for the week ahead.
Parents’ Evenings
Social Media
Parents’ evenings are held once a year for each year
Regular news stories and updates are posted on the group, and provide parents with an opportunity to
school’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages, as discuss their son’s progress with his various subject
well as the school website. teachers. In addition, subject option evenings are
held, as appropriate, for specific year groups. The
Classlist dates of all parents’ evenings, as well as subject option
Towards the end of the summer you will be invited evenings, can be found in the parents’ section of the
by the Parents’ Guild to join Classlist, which is a private school website under key academic dates.
social networking site specifically for parents and
guardians of Bedford School to keep in touch with
each other. Leave of Absence and Early
Once you have received the invitation from school, Departures
all you have to do is download the Classlist app on
We ask boys to advise us of any leave of absence
your phone or visit the website www.classlist.com
or early departures by completing the forms listed
and search for Bedford School. Then it is just a case of
overleaf, all of which can be found in the forms
following the very straightforward joining instructions.
section on the Parent portal.20
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BEDFORD SCHOOL
All forms should be submitted at least three days
before the date of the appointment.
Leave of Absence
Requests for leave of absence, including early
departures for Exeats, half terms and school holidays
should be made using the ‘Application for Leave of
Absence’ form. This form is received by your son’s Tutor
and Housemaster. If return to school is delayed for any
reason, boarders should immediately telephone their
Housemaster.
We strongly advise that parents do not arrange flights
before the end of the school day since significant
amounts of valuable lesson time can be lost to a boy’s
education as a result of early departures.
Medical Leave of Absence
Any requests for leave of absence for doctor, dentist,
hospital appointments, etc., should be made using
the ‘Medical Leave of Absence’ form. This form will
automatically inform the Bell Room (Upper School
Reception) and your son’s Tutor of the appointment.
Again, If return to school is delayed for any reason,
boarders should immediately telephone their
Housemaster.
University Open Days / Interviews
Parents should complete a ‘Request for Leave of
Absence for University Open Days/ Interviews’ form.
Reporting Illness
If your son is unable to attend school due to illness
or injury, we ask that you email bellroomabsences@
bedfordschool.org.uk or call the Bell Room. It is very
helpful if you can let us know before 08:45 so that we
can notify all necessary staff of your son’s absence.21
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BEDFORD SCHOOL
School Meals
The school catering team offers boys a wide variety of
wholesome, delicious food choices and encourages
good nutritional habits and a healthy lifestyle.
Boarders and day boys from across the school eat
together each day in the Dining Hall and enjoy a wide
range of tempting options. The weekly breakfast,
lunch and supper menus can be viewed in the
parents’ section of the school website.
Typical Lunch Menu
Soup Station Roasted Tomato & Basil / Seasonal Soup
Jacket and Pasta Bar Home Baked Jacket Potatoes with Baked Beans
Freshly cooked Pasta and Chef’s Seasonal Sauces,
served with Mild Cheddar, Nut Free Pesto, Flaked Tuna or Chicken Pots
Main Counter Option 1 Cumberland Sausage, Glazed Carrots, Sweetcorn and Garden, Peas, Herbed Mash
and Rich Onion Gravy
Main Counter Option 2 Chicken Tikka, Cardamom Rice, Bombay Aloo and Potatoes
Vegetarian Vegetarian Sausage, Glazed Carrots, Sweetcorn and Garden, Peas, Herbed Mash
and Rich Onion Gravy
Special Diets Halal/Gluten Free Sausage, Glazed Carrots, Minted Peas and Rich Onion Gravy
Main Course
Cold Desserts Seasonal Selection of Whole and Sliced Fruits and Jellies,
Baked Raspberry Ripple Cheesecake
Hot Desserts Sticky Date Banoffee Pudding with Toffee Sauce
Yoghurt Bar Daily Selection of Freshly Homemade Yoghurts accompanied with
Fruit Pulps, Compotes, Granolas, Crunchy and Sponge Toppings
Special Diets Daily Selection of Gluten Free Cakes, Puddings and Desserts
Desserts22
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BEDFORD SCHOOL
Meal Arrangements The details of the allergy should be supported by a
doctor’s or dietician’s diagnosis/assessment of his
The following meals are included in your son’s fees: condition in writing. The correct medical information
will ensure that Sodexo staff are able to identify
Day boys: lunches during term time - Monday to specific allergens in ingredients which your son
Saturday is allergic to, so that an appropriate diet can be
provided.
Weekly boarders: all meals from Monday breakfast
Returning this form by the due date will allow
to Saturday lunch during term time
Sodexo to evaluate and clarify this information where
Boarders: all meals during term time necessary, enabling them to make any specific
arrangements or adjustments to ensure the most
appropriate provision of school meals for your son.
Special Dietary Requirements Please ensure that you also inform us whenever there
is a change to your son’s medical condition which
If your son has special dietary needs for medical
may affect his food requirement, or if there is an
reasons, religious or personal beliefs, these will be
update from the doctor regarding his food allergy.
catered for by our chefs. To help us ensure the right
food is available for him, we ask that parents complete We hope that you are able to assist the school
the dietary requirements section of the Medical through providing all necessary information required
Information form at the end of this document. to enable the safe provision of school meals for your
son. If you require any further information about
Any query you have on the catering arrangements
Sodexo’s ‘Allergy in Schools Procedures’, please do not
should be raised with the Catering Manager in
hesitate to contact the school.
the first instance by emailing cateringmanager@
bedfordschool.org.uk, and thereafter with the We would ask that you do not send your son to school
Bursar, if necessary. with treats for his classmates/friends, to avoid the risk
of a boy being inadvertently given something that
Parents of boys who have a special reason for not
may cause an allergic reaction. Please also note that
taking lunch in school should write to the Head
nuts are not permitted on the school estate.
Master explaining the situation. If, in exceptional
circumstances, permission to take lunch at home is
given, there will be no reduction in fees. Tuck Shop and School Shop
The tuck shop in the Dining Hall’s Café Bar sells a wide
Allergies selection of snacks and drinks including hot snacks
such as baps, sausage rolls and pizza slices as well as
Bedford School provides all its catering through
cookies, cereal bars and fruit. The school shop also
Sodexo, a leading contract catering company. In
sells a range of sandwiches, snacks and drinks. Boys
conjunction with Sodexo, the school seeks to ensure
are able to purchase snacks from the tuck shop during
that suitable procedures are in place to manage
morning break time or may visit the school shop
all potential pupil allergy issues and obviously we
during break times or lunchtime periods.
are keen that all new pupils enjoy a positive dining
experience from day one.
If your son has been diagnosed with a food allergy,
please ensure you complete the food allergies section
of the Medical Information form. Please note: this form
must be submitted by Monday 15 June.23
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BEDFORD SCHOOL
The School Shop
Due to the current situation surrounding
Covid-19, in a change from the norm, all uniform Appointments
purchases and fittings appointments will take All customers requiring more than three different
place at the No Limitz store and NOT at Bedford items will need to make an appointment via the
School, with the one exception of appointments online booking system.
for overseas boarders from 29 August.
There will be a range of different appointment lengths
While we are fortunate to have a school shop to cater for individual needs.
located within the school estate, this does not offer
the space required to fulfil current social distancing We ask that all appointments are booked by 30 June
requirements. to enable No Limitz to allocate and provide adequate
resource.
School Appointments for Overseas To make an appointment, visit:
Boarders www.bedfordschoolshop.co.uk
We will be offering uniform appointments at Bedford
School specifically for overseas boarders from 29 Key Measurements
August onwards. We ask that parents and guardians
Staff will not be able to measure your son in store, so
check the school shop website regularly for updates
please prepare by measuring your son before coming
www.bedfordschoolshop.co.uk in. This will help to reduce unnecessary trying on of
clothes, save time and make the process safer and
more efficient. The key measurements are:
Appointments for Day Boys and UK y Waist
Boarders y Inside leg
Day boys and UK boarders should purchase their y Collar/Neck
uniform from the No Limitz store, which is located at:
y Chest
25 Shuttleworth Road
y Shoe Size
Bedford
MK41 0HS All measurements should be in inches, and a guide on
how to measure can be viewed here.
Tel: 01234 350720
Email: shop@bedfordschool.org.uk Staff will be on hand to offer guidance whilst
maintaining a safe distance, as much as possible.
Summer Opening Hours
Safety Measures
The No Limitz store will be open from 15 June and
operating appointments from 10:00 to 18:00, Monday No Limitz will adhere to government guidance around
to Saturday throughout the summer. social distancing as far as possible to minimise risk and
keep both customers and staff safe.24
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BEDFORD SCHOOL
The following measures will be implemented in store: Online Ordering
y Customers will be greeted, checked in for Online ordering is strongly encouraged for small
appointments where appropriate, and/or advised top-up orders, where customers are confident with
if they are able to browse. Browsing will be subject sizing. Orders placed online can either be delivered
to the number of customers in store at any one to your home or for click and collect in store from the
time. In the event that the store is at capacity, dedicated entrance.
customers will be admitted on a one in one out
basis.
y Customers must maintain at least a two-metre More Than Uniform
space from other customers at all times. There No Limitz can also help with all your sports
will be posters reminding customers of this and requirements, including trainers, rugby boots, hockey
markers on the floor in high traffic areas. shoes, sticks etc. as well as school shoes, bags, labels
y Sneeze screens will be erected at till points. and stationery.
y Staff will be wearing appropriate PPE, and there
will be hand sanitiser available at various locations
in store.
Returns and Exchanges
y Routine cleaning and disinfection of all regular Customers have an extended period of up to 90 days
touch points will be carried out. to make returns. Exchanges must be pre-arranged
with No Limitz by emailing shop@bedfordschool.
y Changing rooms will be available for school org.uk or calling 01234 350720. Exchanges will be
uniform customers, but please minimise the processed via the click and collect entrance. Please
number of garments you try on. Please ask a ask for further details in store at the time of your
member of staff for advice. Items tried on and appointment.
not purchased will be steamed and quarantined
before being returned to the shop floor.
To assist in maintaining social distancing and to Labelling
maximise the number of customers we can serve at It is essential that all clothes, including mufti and bags
any one time, we strongly advise that only one adult are clearly marked with the owner’s name and initials.
should attend, and where possible to only bring the
child requiring uniform. Parents must be responsible Usually the school shop is able to offer a labelling
for their children at all times and ensure they are service, but due to the complexities of safe working
adhering to social distancing. practices, this is not available this year. However, the
Zip Yard in Bedford have assured us they will be able
to take and process all labelling orders safely from 1
Contactless Payment June, should you wish to use them.
Please consider setting up a contactless payment Tel: 01234 217771
method such as ‘Apple Pay’, if you have not already. Email: info@bedford.thezipyard.co.uk
Chip and pin machines will be wiped down after each
use, but contactless payment helps reduce risk further. For the purposes of identifying lost property, It would
be helpful if, the initials of your son’s house could be
incorporated.You can also read
