Bedford Girls' School Admissions Guide 2024-2025

Admissions Guide For entry in 2024 ~ 2025

Bedford Girls’ School Our students soar; they are the creative thinkers, the change-makers and the problem-solvers of the future.

At Bedford Girls’ School, we strive to deliver a future-inspired education; innovative teaching practices, technology and compassionate care combine to empower our students with the attributes and self-confidence that they will need to seize opportunities and tackle the challenges of a complex world.

We value and celebrate every member of our community and encourage our students to remain continually curious to the perspectives of others. We are ambitious and lift each other up through nurture and challenge.

We are a school which creates joy though learning, where we all aspire to use our intellect to remain inquisitive to endless opportunities.

We encourage creativity, communication, collaboration and leadership; helping our students develop unique voices and an understanding of how they can change the world around them.

When you are ready to register your daughter with us, please scan the QR code above to complete the online registration form.

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Welcome We understand that choosing the right school for your daughter is one of the most important decisions you will make.

Our prospectus and website will give you a genuine sense of life at Bedford Girls’ School and we encourage you to join us at one of our open events this year, or to arrange an individual visit to the School.

We want you to feel absolutely confident that your decision is the right one for you and your daughter.

This guide is designed to offer a clear explanation of our admissions process.

We welcome applications for entry into all year groups (with the exception of Year 11), subject to spaces. We have set dates for our admisisons process, however, we do understand that work relocations and family circumstances don’t always coincide with the start of the school year. If this is the case, please contact us to discuss your individual circumstances, we will always try to help.

As Bedford Girls’ School is a selective school, our admissions process involves assessments and interviews. These have been carefully developed to be an enjoyable process which prospective students and parents should not be anxious about. It is very important to us that our students are happy, and our admissions process is planned to allow us time to get to know each individual candidate. This enables us to offer places confidently to girls who we believe will be well suited to all aspects of life here.

Please remember that we are here to help you and if you have further questions at any stage of your decision making process, do contact us on 01234 361918 or email: admissions@bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk We look forward to having the opportunity to welcome you to Bedford Girls’ School in the near future.

The Admissions Team

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How does the Admissions Process work?

Over the next few pages we will explain the different stages of the admissions process, the most frequently asked questions and everything you need to know.

How can I find out more about the school?

An ideal time to look around the school informally is at our Open Morning. For entry in Autumn 2024, the Open Morning will be held on Saturday 7th October 2023 from 10.00am until 1.00pm.

There will be an opportunity to meet Mrs Gemma Gibson, Headmistress and Mrs Carolyn Howe, Head of the Junior School, as well as other key members of staff. Activities will be arranged during the morning for your daughter to join if she wishes to and our students will be available to show you around the school.

An important advantage of visiting the school on the Open Morning is that all the facilities can be viewed at your leisure, with teachers and students free to respond to your questions.

Our midweek Open Morning events, on Wednesday 8th November 2023 and Wednesday 8th May 2024, will provide you with an opportunity to view the school on a normal working day.

Our Sixth Form Open Evening will be held on Tuesday 17th October 2023 at 6.30pm for entry in Autumn 2024. This provides a relaxed opportunity to meet with Mrs Helen Woolley, our Director of Sixth Form and Heads of Departments. You will find out more about the benefits of a Sixth Form education at Bedford Girls’ School, and have the opportunity to explore the International Baccalaureate Diploma and A Level programmes.

We positively encourage, and parents also value, the experience of a private visit to the school and our Admissions Manager will always be pleased to arrange an appointment for this purpose. Usually a private visit will include a tour of the school and a meeting with the Head of the Junior School, and/or a meeting with the Headmistress.

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If you are at present living some distance from Bedford or are unable to visit the school in person for any other reason, we are happy to arrange online virtual meetings with the Admissions Team, the Headmistress and other senior members of staff to help with your decision-making process.

How do I apply for a place?

Once you have decided that you would like your daughter to be considered for entry to the school in Autumn 2024, the next step is to register her for the relevant assessment process.

Assessments for entry in the Autumn Term 2024 will be held early in the Spring Term 2024 and we ask that you register before Friday 1st December 2023.

Early registration is advised as it is in your daughter’s best interests that her present headteacher should have sufficient time before her assessment to prepare a full report about her current work and progress, and that your daughter should receive information about the assessment as soon as it is available. Additionally, if you would like your daughter to experience a Taster Day for the Junior School, we can arrange this as soon as we have received your registration form.

The registration form can be completed on our website by scanning the QR code on the inside front cover of this booklet. The form can be submitted online together with payment of the £125 registration fee.

The fee, which is not refundable, covers not only the administration of your daughter’s application, but also the cost associated with her interview and assessment. You will also be asked to upload a copy of your daughter’s birth certificate.

Can I get assistance with fees?

ASSESSMENT DATES FOR 2023 ENTRY

Academic Bursary Awards are allocated each year and these can be applied for annually.

Full details will be sent to all registered candidates.

When you complete the registration form, please indicate if you wish to apply for financial assistance. We will then send you a link to the online bursary application form.

It is very important that this application is returned promptly. The bursary application deadline for the academic year 2024/25 is Friday 1st December 2023.

Bursaries are highly competitive and only available for students in the Senior School and Sixth Form. They are awarded based on academic ability and means tested financial need.

If your daughter is successful in the entrance assessments, the outcome of your bursary application will be included in the letter offering her a place; this means that you will know from the outset an approximate indication of what your financial commitment is likely to be.

Further details can be obtained from the Admissions Section of our website: www.bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk How do you assess my daughter?

Bedford Girls’ School accepts students from a wide range of independent and state maintained schools. Assessment tasks are designed to test your daughter’s potential and we take into account the fact that pupils in different schools may well have reached different stages at the time the assessments take place.

You will find the full details of the assessments on the following pages: Junior School, pages 4 - 7 Senior School, page 8 Sixth Form, page 9

Junior School Entry for Year 3 and 4 Assessments: 22nd and 23rd January 2024 Activities Morning: Saturday 13th January 2024 Entry for Year 5 and 6 Assessments: 11th and 12th January 2024 Activities Afternoon: Saturday 13th January 2024

Senior School Entry for Year 7 Interviews and Assessments: 9th, 10th and 11th January 2024 Entry for Year 8 Interviews and Assessments: Friday 19th January 2024 Entry for Year 9 Interviews and Assessments: Monday 15th January 2024 Entry for Year 10 Interviews and Assessments: Wednesday 24th January 2024

Sixth Form Interviews and Assessments: Wednesday 24th January 2024 When will we know if she has a place?

Results of the assessments will be emailed to parents on Wednesday 14th February 2024 Please note that results cannot be given over the telephone.

Our assessment procedure is highly competitive and in some years we have more applicants than places available. If this should occur we may place a successful applicant on a waiting list until a place becomes available. We will notify you at the same time as the offers are posted.

How do we accept the place?

We ask you to accept the offer by Wednesday 6th March 2024. After that date, any places not accepted in writing may be offered to candidates on our waiting list.

Please note that a deposit of £500 will be payable to secure a place. This deposit is returnable at the end of your daughter’s Bedford Girls’ School career.

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Junior School Assessments Years 3 - 4 Entry at Year 3 and Year 4 The admissions process is split into two sessions to ensure our youngest candidates do not feel overwhelmed and have the opportunity to enjoy their time with us. Your daughter will be invited into Bedford Girls’ School twice; once to complete online cognitive ability assessments and once to attend a fun activities-based session.

THE ASSESSMENT MORNING The online assessment for Years 3 and 4 will take place over two mornings on Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd January 2024. Your daughter will be invited into school to attend a session on one of these dates. The assessment session will last approximately an hour and 45 minutes and comprise: • A series of short cognitive ability tests which in total take approximately one hour to complete. These will consist of a number of problem-solving, language comprehension and puzzle type questions which will provide us with information relating to your daughter’s underlying ability across a range of indicators. Your daughter does not need to prepare for these assessments.

• Your daughter will complete the assessments on a laptop and she will be guided through the assessments with instructions given through headphones. The tests are timed and candidates have the opportunity to go back over their work to check their answers within the given timeframe.

• The assessments will take place in a classroom setting with the Head of Year and Mrs Howe, the Head of the Junior School, supporting the candidates throughout the process.

ACTIVITIES MORNING The Activities Morning will be held on Saturday 13th January 2024 and will involve all candidates for Years 3 and 4 working with their year groups. The morning is divided into two parts: • Creative Writing Your daughter will be asked to complete a short writing task in a classroom group.

The group will take part in a teacher-led discussion, listening and talking to each other about the content of a piece of writing on a particular topic. Having discussed what might be included in her piece, she will be asked to complete a creative writing task independently, developing her creative ideas throughout her writing.

• Group Activities After a snack and a play in the Junior School Gardens, candidates will take part in group activities, where they will have the opportunity to meet some of our teachers and enjoy taking part in a range of creative tasks, so they can experience first-hand our approach to learning.

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Junior School Assessments Years 5 - 6 Entry at Year 5 and Year 6 The admissions process is divided into two sessions to ensure our younger candidates have the opportunity to enjoy their time with us. Your daughter will be invited into Bedford Girls’ School twice; once to complete online cognitive ability assessments and once to attend a fun activities-based session.

THE ASSESSMENT MORNING The online assessments for Years 5 and 6 will take place on Thursday 11th and Friday 12th January 2024.. Your daughter will be invited into school to attend a session on one of these dates. The Assessment Morning will last approximately two hours and 45 minutes, it will comprise: • A series of short cognitive ability tests which in total take approximately two hours to complete. These will consist of a number of problem-solving, language comprehension and puzzle style questions which will provide us with information relating to your daughter’s underlying ability across a range of indicators. Your daughter does not need to prepare for these assessments.

• Your daughter will complete the assessments on a laptop and she will be guided through the assessments with instructions given through headphones. The tests are timed and candidates have the opportunity to go back over their work to check their answers within the given timeframe.

• The assessments will take place in a classroom setting with the Head of Year and Mrs Howe, the Head of the Junior School, supporting the candidates throughout the process.

ACTIVITIES AFTERNOON The Activities Afternoon for Years 5 and 6 will be held on Saturday 13th January 2024 and will involve all candidates for entry into Years 5 and 6 working with their year groups.

The afternoon will comprise of two parts: • Creative Writing Your daughter will be asked to complete a short writing task in a classroom group.

The group will take part in a teacher-led discussion, listening and talking to each other about the content of a piece of writing on a particular topic. Having discussed what might be included in her piece, she will be asked to complete a creative writing task independently, developing her creative ideas throughout her writing.

• Group Activities After a snack and a play in the Junior School Gardens, all candidates will take part in group activities, where they will have the opportunity to meet some of our teachers and enjoy taking part in a range of creative tasks, so they can experience first-hand our approach to learning.

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Senior School Assessments Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 Entry at Year 7 This is a key entry point as your daughter joins us in our Senior School. It is important that all of the candidates spend time in School getting to know us and have the opportunity to experience the exciting atmosphere at Bedford Girls’ School. We therefore invite the candidates to come and spend a day with us between the 9th and 11th January. The day comprises the following elements: • A series of short online cognitive ability tests which in total take two hours to complete.

These will consist of a number of problem-solving, language comprehension and puzzle style questions which will provide us with information relating to your daughter’s underlying ability across a range of indicators. Your daughter does not need to prepare for these assessments.

• The candidates will join some of our current Year 6 students for a delicious lunch in our Dining Hall. This gives them the opportunity to ask all of the important questions!

• After lunch all candidates will have a short interview with our Headmistress, Mrs Gibson, so that she has the opportunity to get to know your daughter.

• During the day all candidates will also attend inspiring and immersive learning experiences in our Science and Art departments.

Entry at Years 8, 9 and 10 Candidates will be invited into School on the following dates to complete their assessments and attend an interview with the Headmistress, Mrs Gibson: • Entry into Year 8: Friday 19th January • Entry into Year 9: Monday 15th January • Entry into Year 10: Wednesday 24th January Candidates will spend half a day in School, and the assessment session will comprise the following elements: • A series of short online cognitive ability tests which in total take two hours to complete.

These will consist of a number of problem-solving, language comprehension and puzzle style questions which will provide us with information relating to your daughter’s underlying ability across a range of indicators. Your daughter does not need to prepare for these assessments.

• A creative writing task: candidates will be given a prompt and be asked to complete a task which will take approximately 45 minutes.

• All candidates will have a short interview with our Headmistress, Mrs Gibson, or the Head of Year, so that they have the opportunity to get to know your daughter.

• Candidates will also have the opportunity to meet with the Head of Year to ask questions about life at Bedford Girls’ School.

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Sixth Form Assessments Bedford Girls’ School Sixth Form offers students the choice to study either the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or A Levels. Every prospective Sixth Form student is offered the opportunity to meet the Director of Sixth Form and relevant Heads of Departments, whilst deciding upon their individualised course of study.

Entry to the Sixth Form depends upon a satisfactory report from your daughter’s present Headteacher, good GCSE results, and an interview with the Headmistress and the Director of Sixth Form. We also require all Sixth Form candidates to sit a short series of online cognitive ability tests on the day of their interview and to complete a creative writing task.

Candidates joining the Sixth Form will be expected to have a minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 9 to 6 and have achieved at least a 6 in the subjects that they are continuing in the Sixth Form. There are some subjects which may require a higher grade at GCSE and this will be explained to candidates prior to making subject choices.

The Sixth Form assessments will take place on Wednesday 24th January 2024.

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Joining the School Here are some of the key areas you might need to consider before applying for a place at Bedford Girls’ School. For more information please visit the Admissions section of our website.

FEES The fees for Academic Year 2024-2025 will be posted on our website when they are confirmed in the Summer Term 2024. The fees for the current Academic Year 20222023 are shown below: Junior School - £10,612 per annum (£3,504 per term) Senior School - £14,775 per annum (£4,925 per term) Sixth Form - £14,775 per annum (£4,925 per term) Registration Fee - £125 (non-refundable) Deposit - £500 (refunded when your daughter leaves the school) PAYMENT IN ADVANCE It is possible to pay towards tuition fees for a complete year or more in advance.

Please contact the Fees Team at the Harpur Trust for further details on 01234 369 500.

There is no discount offered for siblings.

ALUMNAE AND PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP Bedford Girls’ School operates an active Parent Teacher Association, called The Association, which supports the School in a variety of ways, organising social events and fundraising activities. The Alumnae association will offer continued membership

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to the Bedford Girls’ School community through networking and social events, which will begin when your daughter leaves the school.

Life Membership to The Association and The Alumnae is through a total payment of £125 per child and is compulsory for all new girls. This cost will be added to your first Spring Term invoice for school fees and will be detailed as a charge of £62.50 for The Association and £62.50 for The Alumnae.

LUNCHES We pride ourselves on our lunches. We offer a wide range of nutritious, well balanced and freshly prepared dishes, sourcing as many local ingredients as possible. We offer bespoke catering for students with allergies or dietary requirements and our catering team spend time with the students, enticing them with beautifully cooked food and encouraging them to try new dishes and eat a balanced, healthy, satisfying lunch.

At the time of joining the School, we will advise you of the cost of the school lunches for the following school year. Parents are charged for school lunches a term in advance.

If you do not wish your daughter to have a school lunch, she may bring a packed lunch.

WRAP AROUND CARE We realise and appreciate that many of our parents work. Therefore, we offer early and late care facilities for all students to assist our parents.

Girls in the Junior School are able to play in the grounds of the Junior School under the supervision of a member of staff from 8.00am in the morning, through to the start of the school day at 8.30am. On cold or wet weather days they will be taken inside.

Students are welcome to go to the Senior School Breakfast Club from 7.30am - 8.20am in the mornings to purchase breakfast if they wish.

The Late Room runs every day for Junior School girls from the end of the school day at 4.00pm - 6.00pm and is supervised by three members of staff. In the eventuality that you require your daughter to stay after 6.00pm she will be taken to the Senior School supervised late care room where she can wait until 7.00pm. Whilst in the late care room, students are expected to complete their homework.

Senior School students may use the After School Study Room located in the Learning Resources Centre, which is supervised by a member of staff from 4.00pm - 7.00pm.

The morning and afternoon care facilities for all students are free of charge and can be used on a regular or one-off basis.

with a long-sleeved striped shirt which can be worn with the damson jumper, or with an optional grey sweatshirt, during the school day.

Uniform is purchased exclusively online through our school uniform supplier, Schoolblazer. We also offer regular second-hand uniform sales which offer a comprehensive range of items.

The approximate core costs for the uniform are: Junior and Senior School £400-£500; Sixth Form £360. For more information visit the Admissions section of our website.

Whilst we ask that all students adhere to our uniform regulations, we recognise that some pupils may have additional requirements or needs. If you wish to discuss any specific uniform requests, please do get in touch.

TRANSPORT Bedford Girls’ School is committed to promoting safe and sustainable transport for students and staff. In the Admissions / Transport and Travel section of our website you will find details of buses and trains serving Bedford and, more specifically, Bedford Girls’ School, as well as ways to help you plan your route to school by bike or on foot.

UNIFORM Junior and Senior School girls at Bedford Girls’ School wear a charcoal grey, kilt-style checked skirt, or grey trousers, a white short-sleeved blouse, a teal or damson coloured jumper and blazer. Sixth Form students wear a smart, charcoal grey suit made up of a skirt or trousers and jacket, 11

INDUCTION

FURTHER INFORMATION

We run a very effective induction programme for all new students and parents to ensure the transition to Bedford Girls’ School is as smooth as possible.

Our programme includes information evenings for new parents and their daughters, visits to the new students in their current schools, and special induction sessions for students to get to know their new Form Tutors and peers.

There are many other aspects of School life that we would like to be able to share with you - such as our school policies, our GCSE, IB Diploma Programme and A Level examination results and our list of governors and staff. All relevant updates can be found on our website at www.bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk A copy of our outstanding 2020 full ISI Inspection Report is available on our website, along with a copy of our 2020 Regulatory Compliance.

Key Dates WHOLE SCHOOL OPEN MORNING Saturday 7th October 2023

ASSESSMENT DATES

SIXTH FORM EVENING Tuesday 17th October 2023

Assessment Mornings: 22nd and 23rd January 2024 Activities Morning: Saturday 13th January 2024

NOVEMBER OPEN MORNING Wednesday 8th November 2023 SUMMER OPEN MORNING Wednesday 8th May 2024 DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATIONS Friday 1st December 2023 DEADLINE FOR BURSARY APPLICATIONS Friday 1st December 2023 OFFERS MADE Wednesday 14th February 2024 DEADLINE FOR ACCEPTING OFFERS Wednesday 6th March 2024

Years 3 and 4

Years 5 and 6 Assessment Mornings: 11th and 12th January 2024 Activities Afternoon: Saturday 13th January 2024 Year 7 Assessment and Interview Days: 9th, 10th and 11th January 2024 Year 8 Assessment and Interview Day: Friday 19th January 2024 Year 9 Assessment and Interview Day: Monday 15th January 2024 Year 10 Assessment and Interview Day: Wednesday 24th January 2024 Sixth Form Assessment and Interview Day: Wednesday 24th January 2024

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Cardington Road, Bedford, MK42 0BX Telephone: 01234 361918 admissions@bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk www.bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk

Bedford Girls’ School is part of The Harpur Trust: a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England: Company Number: 3475202 Registered Office: Pilgrim Centre, Brickhill Drive, Bedford, MK41 7PZ. Registered Charity Number: 1066861.