Academic Extension and super curriculum

We believe that all students should be extended beyond the ‘normal’ classroom curriculum, and to this end we offer a number of exciting opportunities. The below is not an exclusive list:

• Clubs, societies and meetings – whether involving just BMS students or indeed students from various schools in the local area
• Links to external bodies, reading and websites away from the classroom to promote further enjoyment of subjects
• Trips to museums, galleries and other places of educational interest, whether they be in Britain or overseas
• A large, well-equipped and well-staffed Library, where students can develop existing or discover new academic passions.

Academic Extension Days

Academic Extension Days are arranged for whole year groups, once a year, for Years 7-11, and throughout the year other events are organised which are carefully planned to inspire and stretch students.

Examples of whole-year days include a Forensic Sciences day for Year 8 students.

Projects

We offer the Higher Project Qualification (HPQ) to Year 10 students, run by AQA. This is an exciting opportunity for students, in conjunction with a supervisor who is a member of the staff, to pursue an area of interest outside of the curriculum; it is also worth the equivalent of half a GCSE. Participation in the HPQ is optional but is an ideal way to develop skills that will make the transition to the Sixth Form easier.

In the Sixth Form, we offer the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). This works in a similar way to the HPQ, but is more demanding. Increasingly, universities are recognising the EPQ (worth 28 UCAS points) as proof that the student has the requisite transferable skills to make a success of undergraduate life.

Academic Scholar Programme

Our goal is to recognize and celebrate both academic endeavour and excellence, with a focus on individual growth. By emphasizing super-curricular activities (extension beyond the curriculum), we aim to support students in the demonstration of three learning behaviours: intellectual ability, task commitment, and creativity.

Bedford Modern School offers an excellent breadth of academic co-curricular and super-curricular opportunities. At its core, the Academic Scholar Programme monitors the engagement of our young and aspiring scholars. Therefore, it compliments their ongoing engagement with academic life at BMS rather than being ‘more of the same’.

The programme is currently available to students in Years 7 and 8. Students opt-in before the start of the programme each year. Students are recognised upon successful completion of the programme.

For more details, please contact the Head of Academic Extension at mmcintosh@bedmod.co.uk.