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Bedales students are celebrating after receiving their GCSE and Bedales Assessed Course (BAC) results, with 60% of grades awarded at 9-7 (equivalent to A*- A).
Although most students study nine subjects, two of them - both of whom attended Bedales Prep before progressing to the Senior School - achieved an impressive 11 grades at 9-8. Another two students secured 10 grades at 9-8, including one who attended Bedales Pre-prep and Prep. A further student achieved a clean sweep of nine grade 9s.
Students at Bedales take GCSEs in core subjects alongside a range of the school's own BACs. Introduced in 2006, BACs provide greater breadth, depth and choice than traditional GCSEs, combining written examinations with coursework, projects, presentations and portfolios. Independently moderated each year, they are recognised by universities and designed to enable students to pursue their interests and better develop the skills needed for Sixth Form and beyond.
Will Goldsmith, Head of Bedales, said:
"Congratulations to our students on their excellent results. We are proud of their achievements and of an approach that seeks to nurture curiosity, creativity and individual strengths. At Bedales, we continue to challenge the value of an overly exam-focused system at 16 and are excited to be expanding our own assessed courses further. BACs are designed to inspire deeper learning, encourage intellectual curiosity and prepare students better for the next stage of their education."
Building on the success of our existing courses, Bedales is developing a new BAC in Extension Science, drawing on expertise from leading scientific organisations including the Royal Societies. The school is also introducing new BACs in French and Spanish, following the launch of its Japanese BAC, in response to the continuing decline in language learning nationally and the growing need for young people to develop a global outlook.
Students in Block 4 (Year 10) currently choose from BACs in Ancient Civilisations, Art, Dance, Design (Product or Fashion), Digital Game Design, English Literature, Geography, Global Awareness, History, Japanese, Music, Philosophy, Religion & Ethics, Outdoor Work, Sports Science and Theatre Studies, while continuing to study core GCSE subjects in English Language, Maths, Double/Triple Science and Modern Foreign Languages.
Once the additional new BACs are introduced, students will continue to take core GCSEs in English Language, Maths and Double Science with optional Modern Foreign Languages.
As national debate continues around the future of curriculum and assessment, Bedales remains committed to demonstrating how rigorous academic standards can be combined with greater choice, deeper learning and a broader range of opportunities for young people.
Read a recent BBC report and short video on BACS at Bedales, and also an article by Will Goldsmith in School Management Plus making the case for change to GCSEs.
Image: Block 5 (Year 11) students perform their Scripted Piece in BAC Theatre Studies
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