F.A.Qs

Can I come and see the school?
Yes of course, all parents and their children are welcome to the School. We hold regular open mornings and you are also welcome to come and see the School on a normal working day. We can also organise for your son or daughter to spend a day with us.

What are the fees?
The current fee levels for tuition, lunches and music and dyslexia tuition can be seen here. Other costs to consider are School uniform which costs approximately £300 and transport.

Is there any assistance with fees?
BMS has a competitive fee structure but we do offer bursaries for parents on lower incomes who have able children. The bursaries are offered from 11+ and the amount of assistance is dependent upon parental income. We also offer some exhibition awards for excellence in Drama, Sport, Art and Music. There are some age limits for these awards and it is best to check with us before applying. Further details can be found in the Facts and Figures brochure of the prospectus under the Admissions section.

Are you selective/what is the entry procedure?
Entry to BMS is selective. Entry assessments are held in the January/February of the year of entry and further details can be found in the prospectus. We require registration by the 12th December 2008 for entry in September 2009 to assist us in gauging demand for each year group.

What Travel arrangements are there?
There are a number of established bus routes which are run by Associations. Most routes collect only school children from each of the main Harpur Trust schools and some of the other independent schools in Bedford. The list of routes is contained within the Facts and Figures brochure in the prospectus. You would need to contact the company that covers your area to obtain further details/pricing.

My child is Dyslexic, what support do you offer?
Support for mild dyslexia is provided in the form of individual lessons taken once or twice a week with a specialist tutor. Charges can be found in the prospectus. It is sometimes possible to have a lesson during lunchtime or after school but places are limited. We are unable to support pupils who require a classroom assistant.

What are the timings of the school day?
The current timings for Junior and Senior School can be found in the Facts and Figures brochure under the Admissions section.

What are your class sizes?
Class sizes vary each year. Examples are given below:
Year 3 currently has two classes, one of 12 and one of 14.
Year 4 currently has three classes, one of 16 and two of 17.
Year 7 currently has six classes of 19.

In the Senior School, pupils are allocated a tutor group and a teaching group. The tutor group covers pastoral care and the teaching group is for academic work. Pupils are also allocated to a house for extra-curricular competitions.