When the news broke that Bedford School would become co-educational from September 2027, it marked one of the biggest shifts in the school’s 474-year history.
But the move is just one of the initiatives announced yesterday (Tuesday) by the Harpur Trust, which is investing in each of its sites across the town.
David Steadman, chief executive of the Harpur Trust, and Michael Sloan, the new headmaster at Bedford School, both spoke to the Bedford Independent following the announcement, starting by saying that the decision wasn’t made overnight.
Read: Breaking news: Bedford School to welcome girls from 2027
He explained, the Trust is constantly reviewing its schools, but over the last year, they carried out in-depth research to figure out how parents’ expectations and the wider education market are shifting.
“Today’s parents are almost a new generation, and what they’re looking for from education is changing,” said David.
“Exams are important, but they’re only part of the story. Children need to be good communicators and work well as part of a team.
“Who knows how the job market is going to evolve? You want children to feel confident that whatever the future throws at them, they’ve got the skills and resilience to deal with it.”
Rather than altering the fundamental identity of Bedford School, David sees it as a simple shift: “We’re not changing the school fundamentally; we’re widening the door.”
That phrase, ‘a wider door’, is something Bedford School’s new headmaster Michael Sloan has embraced wholeheartedly.
Michael recently moved to Bedford with his family (including four young boys aged nine, seven, five and three) after leading King’s College in Taunton and serving as deputy head at Brighton College.
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Having worked extensively in co-educational boarding environments, he feels right at home with the move, though he admits he didn’t even know it was on the cards when he applied for the job over a year ago.
“I was drawn here because it’s a brilliant school,” Michael told the Bedford Independent.
“The facilities are first-class, whether it’s the golf simulator, the observatory, or the unbelievable music school, but you can have all those things and not have a great culture.
“What really drew me was meeting the boys and seeing how welcoming and supportive they are. I think they’re going to be really excited about this next stage.”
Historic institution
Michael is keen to stress that this is a natural evolution for the historic institution.
“The school has constantly evolved in its 474 years,” he pointed out.
“It’s not the same school that it was in 1552, 1852, or 1952. It’s succeeded because it continually reinvents itself for the times. We’re very proud of our history, but we’re writing the next chapter together.”
So what will the changes actually look like on the ground?
For starters, girls will be able to join any year group from September 2027, with boarding options available from Year 7 upwards.
To keep up with modern schedules, the school will offer full, weekly, and flexi-boarding (where pupils can stay for just a night or two a week).
Work is already beginning to adapt the school’s infrastructure to welcome the new female cohort.
Burnaby House, located right at the entrance of the school, is being converted into a dedicated girls’ house for both day pupils and boarders.
“We’re converting it at pace so that when girls and their families visit us this year, they see a genuinely co-educational school where they’ll feel welcomed from day one,” said Michael.
The school is also building out its sports offering, adding dedicated netball and girls’ sports programmes alongside established staples like rowing, cricket, athletics, and golf.
Michael joked that while the school has produced cricket legends like Sir Alastair Cook, he’s looking forward to finding a ‘Dame Alison’ in the years to come.
Part of a broader plan
Crucially, the decision at Bedford School sits within a broader plan for all four Harpur Trust schools in the town.
Bedford Girls’ School will remain single-sex, maintaining its place as the largest girls’ school in the region with over 800 pupils.
The Trust is making major investments at the Cardington Road campus, including a new Wellbeing Centre, a new Music Centre with a performance space, and expanded A-Level subjects.
Joint activities between the schools, like shared drama productions and the Combined Cadet Force, will also continue.
Meanwhile, says David, Bedford Modern School continues to earn praise for its strong academic results and value for money (as highlighted in the Daily Telegraph), with the Trust funding upgraded Wi-Fi, classroom refurbishments, and new technology.
Over at Pilgrims Pre-Prep, the Trust has successfully introduced the government’s 30-hour funded childcare scheme for eligible children aged nine months to four years, opening up the school to families who might have previously felt it was out of reach.
External pressures
All of this investment comes at a time when the independent education sector faces external pressures including VAT changes and inflation.
David noted that careful financial management and the support of the Trust’s endowment have allowed them to invest confidently in these new initiatives.
Local developments, including thousands of new homes around Tempsford and major investments like Universal Studios, are expected to bring hundreds of new families into the area.
Both Michael and David are hugely positive about the Harpur Trust plans, which they describe as a way to keep Bedford’s independent schools vibrant, accessible, and ready for the future.
As Michael put it, “We’re opening up this same school experience to a broader, wider group of people to enjoy.”
Resistance
As with any change of this magnitude, not everyone is happy with the plans.
Ross Cousens, grandfather of a current Bedford School pupil, has launched a petition urging the Harper [sic] Trust to reconsider its decision.
At the time of publication, the petition had over 200 signatories.
In an email to the Bedford Independent, Mr Cousens wrote: ‘I am the grandfather of a current Bedford School pupil and therefore have a personal interest in the matter.
‘However, I believe the issue goes considerably beyond my own family. Bedford School has educated boys for generations and has a distinctive place in the town and its community.
‘A fundamental change to the character and structure of such an institution deserves proper public scrutiny.’
He adds the petition raises concerns about the way the proposed change has been handled and calls for the school’s leadership to address some fundamental questions concerning ‘educational standards, pastoral care, teaching, facilities, finances, admissions and the future identity of the school.’
A spokesperson from the Harpur Trust responded, saying, “We recognise that Bedford School’s change is significant.
“The response has been generally very positive, although we know and respect that members of our school community hold a range of views, including those who have signed a petition.
“While some parents were understandably surprised by the decision, many recognise that it has been taken with the long-term interests of our pupils, schools and wider community in mind.
“The decision was taken following extensive research and insight, including from parents about what they value in education, how expectations are evolving, and the factors that influence school choice.
“The school has emphasised that the announcement begins an ongoing period of engagement with parents, pupils, staff and alumni.
“We remain committed to investing in the long-term future of our schools and will continue to engage with all our stakeholders as our plans progress.”
