Headmaster’s Blog 08 November 2019

Learning through experiences beyond the classroom is a key element of the overall educational ethos here at Bedford Modern School and I am always grateful to those staff who give up their time during school holidays to organise and manage the huge range of trips on offer to our students.

During the October half term break students studying German spent a week in Bamberg, a beautiful city in North Eastern Bavaria, staying at the homes of their exchange partners. They experienced a real taste of German life with ample opportunity to practice their spoken German. They met the Mayor of Bamberg, toured the city and also enjoyed a number of group activities together.

In the same week, a group of art, design and technology students travelled to Germany’s capital, Berlin. In a packed itinerary, they saw the world-famous Fernsehturm (TV Tower), the Brandenburg Gate and the dome of the Reichstag.  They also visited various museums and galleries, including the Brohan Museum of Fine and Decorative Arts, the Braun Design Museum and the Kathe Kollwitz Museum to see the artist’s drawings and prints of early 20th Century Berlin.

Meanwhile, China was the far-flung destination for some of our geography students. As well as the visits to Tiananman Square, the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, they also saw the Terracotta Army, one of the most significant archaeological finds in the world. 7,000 life-size terracotta figures of warriors and horses arranged in battle formations depict the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China and were buried with him with the purpose of protecting him in his afterlife

Following an overnight train ride to Xi’an, they visited the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda built in 652 during the Tang dynasty and no trip would be complete without seeing Shanghai, China’s biggest city and a global financial hub. For many this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and one they will never forget. An incredible experience for all.

This weekend I am looking forward to welcoming prospective students and their families to our annual Open Day. Do join us as it is a fantastic opportunity to see the School’s facilities, meet staff and students and generally learn more about what makes the BMS community so special.

Alex Tate
Headmaster