Our plans for
the future For decades, arguably centuries, the provision of education in Britain has remained in a largely constant state. The pace of technological development at the start of the 21st century, sped up by a global pandemic, has changed everything, at a time when the planet has never been so crowded. Bedford School is determined to continue to educate for the leaders of tomorrow. Research and consultation has shown us a way forward, which will remain relevant for the foreseeable future. On the one hand it is obvious that our boys today will be entering a technological world; and in particular that digital technology will at the forefront of much of the world’s development. We have made exciting strides in this respect, as we aim to ensure that not only will every boy leave here well equipped to deal with the digital world into which he is entering, but also that those who love technology have the opportunity to fly. It has never been more important to accentuate the wonders of being human, given that we are already not able to compete with technology in many areas of life, a trend that will only accelerate. Qualities such as compassion, empathy, humour, creativity and imagination remain largely human qualities and it is important that schools develop these as far as possible. Accordingly, service to others will remain a vital part of a Bedford School education in the next decade – and we have already taken the initiative in this area. We wish to encourage entrepreneurial thinking in all of our pupils, not just in its narrow business sense, but in a wider sense: boys should not only be stimulated to have ideas, but they should be encouraged to bring them to fruition, to succeed and to fail, to learn from experience, to move on and redevelop. The next decade will be a period of collaboration, of embracing diversity, of better use of all available resources on the planet: plant, mineral and animal. Empathetic and responsible leadership should be at the core of this. Bedford School has always produced leaders (without ever forgetting the benefits of being a thoughtful and influential follower, too), and it will be important that we continue to do so; we must produce leaders who are driven by life affirming values and a care for our world. This puts enormous responsibility upon all of us in schools to bring up the next generation with a love of life and a generosity of spirit; what we do here now will impact upon the world of the future. Your support of the school in the last decade has helped us to stay ahead of the times in the early part of this century, to widen access to the school so that individual circumstances don’t prevent boys from benefitting from our education, and to provide facilities which engender a love of learning amongst all who live and work here; your support over the next will make a material difference to the world in which our children and grandchildren live.
