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We have welcomed the findings of a new independent evaluation by Ecctis.
Ecctis is the UK’s designated agency for international qualifications and skills benchmarking. They have concluded that our Bedales Assessed Course (BAC) in English Literature is “comparable” to the standard of a UK GCSE - while also cultivating a number of higher level skills normally only taught at A Level.
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 such knowledge whilst also focussing on a broader and more advanced skill set. In particular, the evaluation highlights that the BAC:
requires students to consider and evaluate varying interpretations of literary texts - a skill Ecctis identifies as a feature of the A Level
places a stronger emphasis on comparing unseen texts in the final written examination
integrates creative writing, independent research and oral communication
encourages reflective practice and metacognitive awareness
promotes the application of knowledge in real world and interdisciplinary contexts
These higher order skills, the report observes, not only complement academic progression but also support students’ preparation for university level study, where independence, critical engagement and originality are highly valued.
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 - including the development of higher level analytical, reflective and communication skills - 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 unequivocally that the BAC in English Literature “demonstrates comparability to GCSE standard,” while also offering students a richer and more expansive learning experience that prepares them better for A Level, university and life beyond.
There is more information about the full BAC offering at Bedales HERE.
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