Academic Extension and super curriculum

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

• Clubs, societies and meetings – whether involving just Bedford Modern pupils or indeed pupils from various schools in the Bedford area;
• Links to external bodies, reading and websites away from the classroom to promote further pupil enjoyment of subjects;
• Trips to museums, galleries and other places of educational interest, whether they be in Britain or overseas;
• Access to our own electronic VLE where pupils can find materials to supplement their classroom learning;
• A large, well-equipped and well-staffed Library, where pupils can further existing, or develop new, academic passions.

Academic Extension Workshops
Spring Term 2022

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 the Forensic Sciences day for Year 8 students, and a Business Enterprise day for Year 10 students.

Projects

We offer the Higher Project Qualification (HPQ) to Year 10 pupils, 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 an ideal way to develop skills that will make the transition to the Sixth Form a little 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.

The Linnell Society

We believe that our most academically able pupils should receive specific, targeted opportunities to ensure that they are stretched and challenged. We identify these pupils in a variety of different ways, and then offer specific support to them, such as:

• Differentiated challenge and opportunity in lessons, including setting in some subjects;
• The Linnell Society – also referred to as the Academic Performance Programme (APP) – is targeted at the most able in any year, ensuring that these pupils are stretched and extended as a group in their own right (though any student is welcome to come to APP meetings);
• Promotion of external competitions like Maths Olympiads, essay competitions run by universities, and other such challenging opportunities;
• Specialist Oxbridge, Vet and Medical preparation in the Sixth Form.

If you have any questions about Academic Extension please contact Mr M Price (mprice@bedmod.co.uk)