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We have welcomed the findings of a new independent evaluation by Ecctis.
Ecctis is a provider of international qualification evaluation, benchmarking and skills recognition services. They have concluded that our Bedales Assessed Course (BAC) in English Literature demonstrates comparability to GCSE standard, while also developing a broader range of skills than those typically emphasised in GCSE English Literature.
Introduced at Bedales in 2006, BACs are two-year qualifications taken in Blocks 4 and 5 (Years 10 and 11) alongside a core of I/GCSE subjects. Designed to encourage critical thinking, independence, and intellectual curiosity, BACs combine a subject-specific blend of examinations, coursework and practical assessments across a range of 16 subjects including Art, History, Music, Geography, Japanese and Digital Game Design.
Commissioned by Bedales and published in September 2025, the Ecctis review set out to provide families, colleges, universities and recognition bodies with a clear and authoritative understanding of how the BAC in English Literature aligns with national expectations. Ecctis, which works across more than 190 global education systems, applied its established methodology for credential evaluation, including an in-depth qualification review, comparative analysis and final benchmarking.
The report recognises the distinctive strengths of the Bedales approach.
While GCSEs focus primarily on subject knowledge assessed through examinations, Ecctis notes that the BAC in English Literature also develops this knowledge while also supporting a broader range of skills, including creative writing, independent research, oral communication and reflective practice:
requirement for students to consider and evaluate multiple interpretations of literary texts - a skill Ecctis associates with A Level study.
places a stronger emphasis on comparing unseen texts in the final written examination
integrates creative writing, independent research, oral communication and reflective practice
The report observes that these additional skills complement academic progression and are valued in preparation for further study.
Although this study focused specifically on the English Literature BAC, all BACs follow a common structure in terms of contact time, course design, GCSE-compatible content and assessment, and a clearer pathway to the A Level curriculum (Bedales, as a selective school, only teaches A Levels). Each course combines rigorous academic study with practical, creative and research-based components, ensuring that the strengths identified by Ecctis in the English Literature BAC - including independent research, oral communication and reflective practice - are embedded across the full BAC offering.
Will Goldsmith, Head of Bedales and teacher of English, commented:
“This independent, objective evaluation affirms what we see every day in our classrooms: that students studying the BAC in English Literature are not only meeting national expectations but surpassing them for this age and stage. The course encourages young people to think independently, write creatively and engage deeply with texts and ideas. These are the habits of mind that prepare students not just for exams, but for life beyond school, and it is no coincidence that such a high proportion of Bedales students are inspired to go on to study their BAC subjects at university-level.”
The Ecctis report concludes that the BAC in English Literature “demonstrates comparability to GCSE standard". Bedales believes the course also offers students a richer and more expansive learning experience that supports preparation for further study and life beyond school.
There is more information about the full BAC offering at Bedales HERE.