Bedales School

Petersfield, Hampshire

733

Total Students

336

Boarding

International

Co-Ed

Gender

6:1

Student:Faculty

About Bedales School

Bedales is a leading co-educational day and boarding school for ages 3–18, set in 120 acres of stunning Hampshire countryside in the south of England. Since 1893, the school has been at the forefront of evolving excellence in education thinking and practice and maintains its founding vision to educate the whole child, while continually adapting to meet the needs of a changing world. Students are encouraged to think for themselves, explore their passions and develop a genuine love of learning, becoming rounded learners as the result of a diverse, innovative curriculum that prioritises creativity, critical thinking and hands-on exploration in – and beyond – the classroom. Bedales’ rural campus and working farm nurture lifelong connections with the natural world, with our unique Outdoor Work curriculum an indispensable part of school life. Our founding motto, ‘Work of Each for Weal of All’, is woven throughout daily life and each member of the Bedales community plays a role in shaping a thriving and purposeful environment in which to live and learn. Individuality, personal agency and collaboration are valued at all stages, with no uniform, first-name terms and integrated boarding just three features of an authentic and inclusive school community characterised by mutual respect and a deep sense of belonging. Bedales students go on to study at some of the most prestigious academic and artistic institutions in the UK and internationally, joining a vibrant network of alumni who are distinctively Bedalian for life.

What Makes Us Unique

Unique curriculum - Since 2006, Bedales has offered its own bespoke alternative to many traditional GCSEs for students aged 14-16 years: Bedales Assessed Courses (BACs). Recognised by universities and externally moderated, BACs are designed to offer a broader, more flexible learning experience, moving away from the rigid, content-heavy structure of exam-only assessment in favour of more balanced methods, such as presentations, research projects, performances and vivas. With a focus on real-world application, BACs deliver a well-rounded, innovative education that emphasises creativity, intellectual ambition, collaboration and problem solving, preparing students not just to succeed academically, but to lead meaningful lives beyond school. Existing BACs include English Literature, Fashion Design, Sport Science, Theatre Studies and Japanese, with new courses in modern languages and science currently in development. Outdoor Work - From the very youngest, students are introduced to the Bedalian values of purposeful work, community and giving back through a unique Outdoor Work curriculum, which teaches an array of practical skills from livestock management, blacksmithing and timber framing to wool spinning, hedge laying and stained glass making. Students grow a variety of fruits and vegetables throughout the year, using the produce in the Bakehouse to make bread, jams and other traditional foods. Students learn the importance of financial sustainability and running an ethical farm through real-world business scenarios, selling items they make in the Outdoor Work farm shop, such as chutneys, charcoal and woollen goods. Outdoor Work incorporates a holistic approach to learning, fostering a sense of responsibility, confidence and ownership.

Campus Highlights

Arts

Ceramics & Photography

Campus

120 acres

Key Stats

Boarding46%

International12%

Founded1893

Campus Size120 acres

Nearby AirportsLondon Gatwick (1.25 hours); London Heathrow (1 hour); London Waterloo (1 hour by train)

Global Diversity

United StatesSpainFranceSingaporeChinaTurkey

Contact Information

Rob Reynolds

Admissions Director

Will Goldsmith

Head of School

Bedales School Church Road Steep Petersfield Hampshire GU32 2DG

+44 1730300100

admissions@bedales.org.uk

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Signature Programs

1-Year / Short-Term Boarding

Option to attend for just one semester or a single year.

A-Levels

UK A-Level qualifications (ages 16–18).

Dedicated University Counseling

Specialized team focused purely on global university placement.

Farm / Agricultural Program

Hands-on learning in sustainability and farming.

GCSEs

UK GCSE qualifications (ages 14–16).

Saturday Classes

Mandatory academic classes held on Saturday mornings.

Extracurriculars

Maintaining our founding principle of educating 'head, hand and heart', Bedales has a broad co-curricular offering that encourages students to become rounded individuals and inquisitive learners. The school has a strong reputation for its creative arts offering; from drama, dance and jewellery making to jazz band, chamber choir and ceramics, there are vast opportunities for students of all ages to create, exhibit and perform. A particular highlight of the academic year is the annual Rock Show - an iconic event that has grown over two decades and remains an exceptional demonstration of the talent and versatility of Bedales students. We take an inclusive, personalised approach to sport, encouraging students to develop the competence and confidence to enjoy - and succeed - in a variety of team and individual sports both in and out of school, with tennis, hockey, cricket and use of the multi-gym particularly popular. We want students to foster a lifelong passion and genuine enjoyment for physical activity, recognising the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Other widely enjoyed co-curricular activities include The Duke of Edinburgh Award, Astronomy, Debating, STEM projects, Greenpower car development, Ceramics and School Council - with Bedales' one of the oldest in the country, formally giving students a voice in 1913. Inspired by Bedales founder John Badley, who said the school aims at 'intelligence, initiative and individuality', our '3i' programme provides academic enrichment for ambitious students and scholars, which may involve delivering talks, attending lectures, taking part in national competitions or pursuing additional independent research projects. Through a diverse, holistic co-curriculum, students learn to take responsibility for themselves, others and the environment, with all students involved in a meaningful service programme that highlights our philosophy of giving back. From environmental stewardship and community partnerships to peer mentoring and formal leadership roles as students progress through the school, Bedalians discover the satisfaction of contributing to something bigger than themselves.

Facilities

Set in the heart of the South Downs National Park in Hampshire, Bedales' 120-acre campus is more than just scenic - it's a working landscape that inspires learning and creative expression. Influenced by the school's Arts and Crafts origins, our award-winning facilities and teaching spaces blend tradition with innovation, encouraging hands-on discovery, artistic exploration and a deep connection with the natural world. Our Grade I listed Memorial Library, built in 1921 to commemorate those who died in the First World War, is at the heart of school life. With a beautiful wooden interior and a series of bays overlooking the Orchard, it is not just a quiet haven in which to study, but also a space that reflects the school's commitment to craft, beauty and thoughtful living. The school takes pride in its timer framed Olivier Theatre, which seats 300 and boasts a professional-standard lighting rig and sound system, offering an atmospheric venue for school performances and external events. Bedales is also home to a 200-seat lecture theatre and a modern Art & Design Building, which features spacious studios and craft-based workshops for fashion, jewellery and industrial design over two floors, as well as the Grade I listed Lupton Hall - used for music concerts and talks. The school has a wide selection of sporting facilities, with multiple football pitches and tennis courts, a cricket pitch and pavilion, 25-metre swimming pool and newly refurbished multi-gym. The school's Outdoor Work facilities provide valuable opportunities for students to learn practical skills, with a Bakehouse, forge, wool room, barnyard and more. Our fully-equipped music studio reopened in summer 2026 following a complete refurbishment, enabling young Bedalian musicians to continue bringing their projects to life in this remarkable space for years to come.

Languages Offered

JapaneseSpanishFrenchRussian

Student Support & Wellness

Mental Health & Wellness

Since its founding, Bedales has been shaped around what is considered best for the individual child's educational welfare and happiness, offering a supportive and caring environment for students that enables them to build self-worth, resilience and a sense of community. There are dedicated School Counsellors available for all students, as well as access to a local independent listener, appointed with input from former Head Students. In the Health Centre, students have a quiet space to talk and the School Nurses can link them to self-help options, the School Doctors, external counselling, referral to local Child and Adolescent Mental Health services (CAMHS) or private psychotherapy and psychiatry services. Every student receives dedicated weekly wellbeing education designed to build emotional resilience and life skills. In Prep, students attend timetabled lessons in The Nest - a calm, comfortable space at the heart of the school where they develop empathy, self-worth and emotional intelligence. Senior students participate in PSHE Life Skills lessons that focus on critical thinking, resilience and decision-making. Both programmes use a spiral curriculum approach, building skills progressively to help students recognise and manage emotions, understand difference and change, and communicate constructively. These lessons provide students with a practical wellbeing toolkit they can draw upon throughout their lives, supporting them to thrive both academically and personally.

English Language (ESL)

Other: Mainstream classes + 1-4 lessons of specialist support per week. EAL support is primarily delivered through inclusive classroom practice by subject teachers. Where a specific EAL need has been identified (either through pre-entry assessment or through referral by teaching staff) additional support may be provided by specialist EAL teachers in the form of individual or small-group lessons.

Learning Differences (LD)

Targeted / Mild Support

Top Matriculation

University of Bristol
University of Edinburgh
University of Manchester
University of the Arts, London
Oxford Brookes University
University College London

School Details

Dress CodeNon-Uniform

Campus120 acres

Founded1893

S/F Ratio6:1

Curriculum Offered

A-LevelsGCSEsIGCSEs

Interested in Bedales School?

Get personalized information including admissions deadlines and financial aid details.

Download Brochure

Activities & Clubs

BusinessCeramicsPhotographyRock Band3D ArtGardeningInternational TripsDanceOrchestraChorusCreative writingLiterary magazinePodcastingCommunity serviceJazz bandTheaterCooking clubAstronomyDebateScience clubEnvironmental clubDuke of EdinburghStudent governmentBasketballCross countrySwimming & divingTrack and fieldGolfSoccerTennisCricketJournalismBookbindingGreenpower car developmentSilver jewellery makingTraditional crafts (blacksmithing, spinning and weaving, whittling)Stage crew

Weekend Life

At Bedales, the evenings are all about creativity, connection and fun; students are encouraged to unwind in ways that feel authentic and enriching. Weekends balance rest and adventure, from trips to London galleries, theme parks and the beach to games nights and barbecues. Facilities remain open for student use, and boarders enjoy the flexibility to relax, pursue interests or just take a well-earned lie-in with breakfast served on flat.

City trips & shopping

Cultural eventsTheater/ShowsShoppingTheme parksSightseeing/ToursCity tripsMuseumsRestaurants/Dining

Hiking & Outdoors

Nature walksRock climbingBeach trips

Relaxing on campus

Campus eventsDancesTalent showsSocial gatheringsMovies/CinemaGame nights

Athletic Events

CompetitionsFitness activitiesTournaments