Senior
Academic work is at the heart of every school.   Bedstone has developed a broad-based and challenging curriculum designed to meet the needs of each scholar whilst preparing them to live and work in a rapidly changing world.   The curriculum is kept under constant review by the Director of Studies and the Faculty Committee, providing flexibility and the possibility for innovation that is necessary to both maintain the highest standards and to benefit each scholar to the full.  A balance is maintained between the needs of the individual scholar and the demands of society, universities, industry, business, and the professions.

Once in the senior college scholars are offered a broad pattern of academic work that goes beyond the requirements of the National Curriculum.  Physics, Chemistry and Biology are studied as separate sciences and there is the possibility of pursuing further the study of two modern languages from the first form (National Curriculum Year 7) onwards.  All courses are designed to cater  not only for those who have entered the senior college in forms 1 and 2 but also for the large number of scholars who join at 11 or 13+ from other preparatory schools.

The selection of subjects to be pursued at GCSE is made at the end of the third year (National Curriculum Year 9).  The more able scholars are expected to follow a course leading to examination in ten GCSE subjects, whilst those who are less able will follow a course leading to examinations in six, seven, or eight GCSE  subjects. A detailed account of the subject choices for the current year are to be found in the printed Guide to the College or on the static website.

Academic progress is closely monitored and each individual scholar's efforts and achievements are graded and discussed on a three-weekly basis by the entire staff.  There is a firm belief within the college that 'expectation is everything' and the best is expected from every scholar.  Disappointment is rare.

Wherever possible subjects are set - allowing scholars of similar ability to proceed at their optimal pace.  Class sizes up to GCSE are normally between 15 and 22. The staff:scholar ratio is a very generous 1:9.

The college is very aware of the problems that learning difficulties such as dyslexia can cause and takes a whole-school approach to the strategies employed in overcoming such difficulties.  Central to such help is the highly regarded Learning Support unit led by its full-time director with the aid of fully qualified staff.  The unit also caters for the small number of scholars from abroad who receive intensive tuition in English as an Additional Language (EAL).