YOUR FUTURE Sixth Form is an exciting time; the decisions, plans and ideas you commit to now will help forge the bright future ahead of you. At Bedford Girls’ School, we recognise that you are an individual and nowhere is your individuality more evident, nurtured and challenged than in our Sixth Form.
It is your route; not ours Over the two years, we will explore your aspirations alongside you while developing your intellect, critical thinking skills and confidence, so that you leave us as an independent and forward-thinking young woman, equipped to thrive and make a difference to the world around you. We will help you achieve your true potential. Everything we do is consciously designed for how you learn, develop and grow through the final stage of school. You will leave BGS, like the generations of women before you, ready to soar into life.
THE ALL-GIRLS ADVANTAGE The world is not a level playing field; we are still fighting for equality in the workplace, economically, socially and on the global political stage. The final two years of a BGS education build confidence and resilience and offer a depth of opportunity so that you never feel less than anyone else in a room, on a sports pitch or at a social event. You will know your mind, your strengths and your passions. The girls’ school advantage is clearly articulated at this stage of your education.
- We solely focus on girls. Academic and
- Your opinions will be valued and perspectives listened to. - Unrivalled sports provision for girls.
pastoral needs are specifically tailored around how girls think, develop and grow.
- Girls achieve better academic results in all-girls settings. - Girls in girls’ schools are 87% more likely to take Maths at A Level (GSA). - Girls in girls’ schools are 40% more likely
Statistically, girls in girls’ schools are more likely to continue with sport and have the confidence to take it with them into life.
- We take time to specifically design sports
kits for girls and to talk to you about hormones, balance, female physiology and diet. Everything we do is focused on you.
to apply for Engineering degrees at university (GSA).
- Girls’ sports come first. - Unique access to a global network of strong
- You will be in a community of like-minded,
ambitious young women; supportive of each other’s goals.
female role models; trailblazing alumnae who will support you.
- You will find your unique voice in a
- All of our spaces are designed for how girls like to learn, relax and socialise. - Dedicated Sixth Form House, providing
supportive community and champion issues you care about.
- All leadership positions are held by girls; you are the role models who lead our community. Learn to lead in a supportive environment.
independence at the heart of our community and experienced staff who support students as they navigate this stage of life.
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CHOICE Finding the right combination of subjects that play to your strengths and interests is key to success at Sixth Form. At BGS, with a wide choice of subjects across A Levels and the IB Diploma Programme, we create a tailor-made programme that enables you to achieve your best and sets you up for success.
IN OUR SIXTH FORM
- Choose between following the A Level - Benefit from teaching styles that reflect or IB Diploma pathway. how girls learn best. - Select from over 26 A Level subjects. - Use our dedicated Sixth Form classrooms and science labs. - Study three A Levels to allow a balanced schedule for participating in - Get to know our approachable staff, who wider opportunities while maximising your grades (some students may choose to study four A Levels).
- Study the internationally renowned
IB Diploma Programme. Broaden your international awareness; study six subjects to keep your interests broad and enhance your academic skill set across a number of disciplines.
will always make time to support you; your success is their success.
- Take advantage of drop-in clinics,
masterclasses, intervention groups and revision sessions to further aid learning.
- Take part in a supervised EPQ and
- Attend supervised study periods in Lower Sixth to help build good study routines. - Attend study skills lessons. - Have the freedom to use a range
- Enjoy expert teaching in small
- Experience how technology is embedded
our Pathways Programme to build an extensive super-curricular portfolio. groups, replicating university-style tutorial lessons.
of dedicated Sixth Form spaces for private study.
in our approaches to teaching, so you develop the human skills required for success in a digital age.
Our teachers are committed to your success; this often makes the vital difference in achieving the grades to be accepted onto your first-choice course.
RESULTS Our students achieve excellent results in both A Levels and the IB Diploma Programme. Year on year, over 95% of our students receive their first or second-choice university offers.
A large number of our students achieve the equivalent of straight A*/A grades at A Level and in the IB Diploma. Over the last five years an average of 46% of all entries have been graded A*-A (A Level and IB Diploma combined), whilst over three quarters of all entries achieved A*- B. We continually rank within the top ten performing schools (Small Cohort) for our outstanding IB Diploma, with an average cohort score of 38 points, significantly ahead of the worldwide average for the same period. Students progress to top universities in the UK and overseas, including Oxbridge and leading Russell Group establishments. Equally important are those who pursue a wide range of courses with strong links to industry and vocational pathways. We strongly believe that our students should choose courses they are passionate about and that fit their ambitions, rather than being swayed solely by the name of the institution. Our students are encouraged to look at wider options, with overseas universities, US sports scholarships and industry apprenticeships being popular choices.
PARTNERSHIP & GUIDANCE Your tutor group sits at the heart of your Sixth Form experience, providing a supportive link to all areas of your school life and helping guide you through Sixth Form. Together you and your fellow tutees will lift each other up with kindness, ambition and challenge.
Your tutor will support and champion you, both in your academic progress and your personal development across the two years. They will help you set and review targets to ensure you are purposeful, reflective and resilient in your approach to study, enabling you to take charge of your future. They are also the person with whom you work most closely when exploring post-Sixth Form options, whether that involves refining your pathway choices, making university applications, exploring alternative courses or applying for jobs. The wider Sixth Form team of Senior Tutors, the Pastoral Officer and the Director of Sixth Form help you discover who you are and nurture you through an intensive but hugely rewarding period. They work closely with our nursing, counselling and SEND specialists to provide holistic care for every student. Student wellbeing is at the forefront of everything we do; we pride ourselves on our genuine care for each and every individual.
SIXTH FORM LIFE Sixth Form life is different: you enjoy more freedom, dedicated study periods, as well as, dedicated facilities designed especially for you. It is fun, inspiring and challenging!
Our vibrant Sixth Form House is the centre of Sixth Form life, designed to provide spaces to study, socialise and connect as you become more independent and take on more privileges.
meals, snacks and drinks. Chequers opens onto a dedicated garden and courtyard with picnic benches and areas to hang out. Our wellbeing room and study loft provide quiet spaces for study and reflective moments.
At the heart of Sixth Form is The Hub, our stunning common room. It is the central place to relax or study between lessons in a tranquil and modern environment that replicates contemporary workplaces. It is also the focal point for social activities, always filled with laughter and conversation - film nights, silent discos, social sport and lunchtime karaoke are normal parts of our week.
Sixth Form House and the dedicated classrooms provide an environment for smallgroup lessons, providing a tutorial experience akin to that of university study. Technology is woven into our teaching styles, as we embed the digital skills and AI literacy needed to flourish in the wider world. All students have iPads and many selecting to also use laptops, to further enhance collaboration, digital fluency and creativity. Whether you prefer to work independently or with others, there is a space in the Sixth Form to suit you.
Sixth Form House also boasts Chequers, a café serving Sixth Formers a range of healthy
PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS The world is increasingly competitive; universities, employers and degree apprenticeship providers look beyond examination results to identify young people who demonstrate genuine passion, curiosity, initiative and engagement with their chosen field. BGS offers a structured programme to ensure you can discover and demonstrate your interests and dedication, helping you stand out in a crowded world.
PATHWAYS PROGRAMME Our Pathways Programme has been designed to help students explore their interests, develop their strengths and build experiences, ensuring they become exceptional candidates for university, degree apprenticeships and future careers. Running from Year 10 to Upper Sixth, this cohesive four-year programme lets students explore pathways aligned with their burgeoning interests and aspirations. Each pathway provides a structured framework for exploring a particular sector through academic study, enrichment opportunities and real-world experiences. Whether you are exploring medical or STEM routes, or are interested in a career in the Arts or social justice, there is a pathway suited to you through our extraordinary array of supercurricular opportunities. You will record your experiences and build a portfolio of knowledge in a structured, meaningful and deliberate manner. The most powerful opportunities within each pathway are unlocked in Sixth Form.
YOU GAIN ACCESS TO
- A vast array of super-curricular
- University preparation programmes - Self-leadership opportunities - Careers coaching and guidance - Professional networking opportunities - Peer mentoring opportunities - Regular 1:1 tutorial sessions - Alumnae mentoring
opportunities, including lectures, masterclasses, workshops, societies, visits, online courses (MOOCs), research projects and reading lists
- Leadership positions - Independent research projects such as EPQ
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PATHWAYS PLUS OXBRIDGE AND ELITE UNIVERSITY SUPPORT Pathways Plus has been created for students who aspire to study at the most competitive universities such as Oxbridge, St Andrews, Imperial, LSE or UCL, secure prestigious overseas university offers or degree apprenticeships, or pursue highly selective career pathways such as commercial pilot training, military officer training or entrepreneurship. Through Pathways Plus, you build a sustained portfolio of academic enrichment that demonstrates your commitment and potential. Pathways Plus is not just about doing more work. It is about going deeper, using initiative and demonstrating independence and proactivity. This will develop significant intellectual curiosity, academic resilience, independent learning, critical thinking, reflection and a genuine deep passion for your subject. We offer bespoke medical and clinical application support alongside our Oxbridge Programme to help ensure you are confidently prepared for the rigorous application processes.
SPORTS PATHWAYS Our PE Department supports our most talented sportswomen through our Athlete Support Programme to ensure our students balance their ambitious sporting aspirations with academic study.
CAREERS AT BGS THE BRIDGE Turning your aspiration into reality, The Bridge Careers Service supports you to define your next steps. An integral part of the Sixth Form team, they will get to know you and help guide you as you start to think about life after school. The team meets with every student regularly throughout Sixth Form to help support you to finetune your aspirations; undertake effective research; make informed choices and create strong applications so that you are in the very best position to make independent decisions about your future. Whether you are applying to university or entering the working world, our extensive range of services will support you. Services include UCAS advice; overseas university applications and early entry/Oxbridge application processes; lunch box careers lectures; access to a vast network of employers; workshops; mock interview sessions; bespoke alumnae-to-student mentoring; and networking and careers events, all of which help ensure you are ready to soar into the world after BGS. Our team continue to support students after they have left BGS, offering a valuable service that supports our young alumnae with their next steps.
FIND WHAT LIGHTS YOU UP SOCIETIES, CLUBS AND OUTREACH Throughout the Sixth Form, opportunities abound in clubs, societies, teams and Houses. From sports to music, public speaking and technology, the range is incredible. Sixth Form students regularly establish new societies and clubs. The Combined Cadet Force and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme are particularly popular for developing leadership, communication, organisation and teamwork skills. You will be involved in community work, co-curricular clubs and charity campaigns to support our local and international charity partners. These programmes help you find your voice, develop a deeper understanding of social issues, and help build the skills needed to become true agents of change.
SPORT AND WELLBEING Whether you want to play first-team lacrosse, represent BGS on the river, or simply use the gym, the sporting options in Sixth Form at BGS are extensive. Sport is essential for supporting your wellbeing and providing balance to your week. While many thrive in team sports, we also offer general fitness, yoga, swimming and gym sessions to cater for everyone’s interests.
ATHLETE SUPPORT PROGRAMME Our Athlete Support Programme provides dedicated support for students on elite pathways, helping them balance academic commitments with sporting aspirations as they work towards regional representation, overseas sports scholarships and international pathways.
YOUR VOICE: YOUR LEADERSHIP Wherever your unique skills and talents lie, if you are an original thinker with a passion for making a difference to the lives of those around you, there is a role for you in the Sixth Form.
We want you to find your voice and passions in an environment surrounded by a supportive, encouraging community. In doing so, you will build confidence, develop resilience and gain teamwork and organisational skills that will stand you in good stead as you embark on adulthood. Whether you become a member of our Girls’ Leadership Group (GLG), run a society, or mentor younger students, the options are endless. Appointed each Spring from candidates in Lower Sixth, our GLG is comprised of young women equipped with the ambition, resilience, integrity, vision, talent and passion to be a real force for positive change, both in the school and beyond. The GLG act as ambassadors, role models and mentors, providing a voice for younger students and playing a vital role in shaping school life.
Whether you are a natural negotiator, a born sports captain, or a creative dynamo in the arts, there is a post in the GLG for you. The Head Girl is supported by a Deputy Head Girl, a Service Captain, an Eco and Sustainability Captain, a Diversity and Inclusion Captain, an Arts Captain, a Digital Captain, a Junior School Captain and a Sports Captain. Additionally, six House Captains lead House activities. Each team is supported by Prefects, helping to make the GLG a dynamic, effective and multi-skilled team equipped to lead with care, compassion, dedication and vision. Participation in the GLG helps you acquire the attributes and experience needed to become a future leader in a world where change is rapid and creative thinking and collaboration are key. Such skills are highly valued by universities and employers worldwide.
OUR ALUMNAE The Alumnae Association aims to build a connected international community of former students, creating an impressive network of women supporting women as we work towards an equitable professional world.
We are fortunate to boast an alumnae network composed not only of former BGS students, but also of those from our two distinct and respected heritage schools, Bedford High School for Girls and Dame Alice Harpur School. The Alumnae embraces members from all over the world and from a vast array of professional and academic backgrounds; they are always willing to support our current Sixth Formers. The Alumnae opens up avenues and opportunities, both practical and intellectual that simply cannot be found anywhere else. As part of the Bedford Girls’ School Sixth Form, you will benefit from the advice, guidance, mentorship, career opportunities, internships and support of our existing alumnae. In turn, you will become a valued mentor and friend to successive generations. Our dedicated LinkedIn network allows you to connect, explore work opportunities and share news with a network of like-minded women. Once you leave school, you can continue to benefit from networking events, reunions and sports matches, extending the reach of your BGS community to enhance your professional and social networks.
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Dr Rachael Harlow MBBChir (DAHS 2011)
Eleanor Lawton (BGS 2018)
(MD) Translational Medicine Scientist at Roche (previously Dental Surgeon and Doctor in Maxillofacial Surgery)
Investment & Commercial Manager (Offshore Wind), SSE Renewables
Sally Biddulph (née Mules, BHS 1993)
Hana Staddon (BGS 2014)
Journalist, Presenter and Podcaster at ITV & Five News
Producer at BBC Radio 6 Music
JOIN US The best place to start is with a visit so you can see if BGS feels like the right fit for you. Our Sixth Formers will show you around and you will have the opportunity to meet key members of staff, ask questions and explore our beautiful campus.
Attend our Sixth Form Open Evening in the Autumn and explore your Sixth Form options. Attend our Sixth Form taster session to experience life at BGS. Complete the online registration process by 1st December. Attend a Sixth Form Assessment Centre held in January of the following year, and meet the Head and Director of Sixth Form. Offers of places issued in mid-February. Accept your place in March. You will attend Sixth Form induction sessions in late June. Start your journey at BGS in September.
Confirmation of Offer: All external offers are made subject to your chosen subjects being available. Candidates are expected to achieve at least five GCSEs at Grades 6-9, including Grade 6 in the subjects they wish to study. However, we know exams do not always go to plan; we are happy to discuss options on results day in August. We warmly welcome applicants from non-GCSE education systems.
HOW WE CAN HELP FINANCIALLY
- A limited number of means-tested academic bursaries. - A limited number of Sports and Performing Arts Scholarships for outstanding candidates. - Small grant support through our Fellowship Fund and the Foundation. - The Shortland Jones Bursary Award, supporting Oxbridge undergraduates for the duration of their first degree.
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Cardington Road, Bedford, MK42 0BX Telephone: 01234 361900 information@bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk www.bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk