Bedales students benefit from unique curriculum

Bedales students are celebrating after the publication of GCSE and Bedales Assessed Course (BAC) results, with over half (57%) of grades awarded at 9-7 (equivalent to A*/A).

Ten students achieved at least nine grades at 9/8 (equivalent to A*), eight of whom attended Bedales Prep, Dunhurst prior to progressing to Bedales Senior.

Bedales’ unique curriculum offers students a combination of the school’s own BACs combined with I/GCSEs in five core subjects. Introduced in 2006, BACs are now well established, involving a broader range of content, choice and assessment methods than the more traditional GCSE, enabling students to pursue their interests, passions and talents. The courses benefit from annual external validation by experienced moderators and are recognised as a qualification by universities.

Head of Bedales, Will Goldsmith commented:

“The hard work of students in this cohort has seen them overcome significant difficulties presented by the pandemic at a key time in their education, including periods of remote learning. I congratulate students on their resilience and determination to succeed, and would also like to pay tribute to the dedicated staff who worked so hard to minimise disruption and support students.

Having experienced our distinctive Bedales Assessed Courses, the vast majority of this cohort will now progress to our Sixth Form where they are well prepared to make the most of an enriching and stimulating further two years of study.”

Students in Block 4 (Year 10) can choose from the following BAC options: Ancient Civilisations; Art; Dance; Design (Product or Fashion); Digital Game Design; English Literature; Geography; Global Awareness; History; Music; Philosophy, Religion and Ethics; Outdoor Work; Sports Science and Theatre Studies.

Bedales retains a core of five IGCSE and GCSEs (English, Mathematics, Double or Triple Award Science and a Modern Foreign Language), while also offering BACs as an alternative to GCSE for increased depth, more active learning and stimulating material, less prescriptive syllabuses and a wider range of assessments including group and individual projects, presentations, essays, and portfolios in addition to written examinations. This variety of BAC assessment methods is not only better educationally for students, but has proved to be more resilient during the pandemic than a GCSE system based largely on end of course terminal examinations.

Note: Results data is provisional and subject to appeal. 

Photo: Bedales Assessed Course Theatre Studies Devised Performance

Exam Results | Bedales Assessed Courses | Bedales Sixth Form