Letter from the Head

Alex Tate

I am delighted to begin this letter with the news that BMS remains the highest performing school in Bedfordshire, thanks to an outstanding set of A Level results, which surpassed my expectations, and the hard work of both staff and students.

An impressive 18% of the grades received were A*, the highest for five years, 50% were A*- A and 94% were graded A*-C. It is all the more impressive given that top grades nationally went down, syllabi changed and unconditional offers this year increased. We celebrated again a week later as students enjoyed success at GCSE across a broad range of subjects with 98% of grades awarded between 9 to 4 or A* to C. An exceptional 43% of grades awarded were 9, 8 or A*, the highest number in the school’s history. Furthermore, 18% of the grades hit the top mark of 9 and the average grade achieved was a 7(A). Notably, all these young people achieve academically as well as participating fully in sport, drama, music and other activities outside of the classroom. Their success is very well deserved indeed.

In January I presented Colours, for the first time in more than 20 years, to a cohort of students in Years 11, 12 and 13 for their individual achievement, commitment and leadership in co-curricular activities. A Colours system was first introduced to BMS in Victorian times by Headmaster Dr Poole (1877-1900) who believed that boys should and must enjoy sport and it is not surprising therefore that Colours were only awarded to those who were deemed worthy of recognition in sport. This remained the case for most of the 20th Century with only a few tweaks made here and there.

The system itself evolved and became increasingly complex with a raft of awards such as badges, braid, ties, caps, cravats and blazers. A distinction was made between major sports (Rugby, Rowing and Cricket) and minor sports (everything else) and only those with Full Colours in major sports were entitled to wear, in addition to their braid, a large embossed eagle on their breast pocket.

Understandably there were complaints that students who excelled in other, non-sporting areas of BMS life should be entitled to receive Colours or some similar recognition. The then Headmaster, Mr Smith, eventually abolished the system in 1998.

The new Colours structure reflects the BMS of today and aims to create a simpler system where, to begin with, three significant co-curricular areas are recognised: Music, Performance Arts and Sport. Half Colours will be awarded to students in Years 10 and above, whilst Full Colours are reserved for sixth form students only. As a historian I am delighted to see a BMS tradition re-instated and look forward to presenting Colours each term to those deserving students who devote so much of their time and commitment to making BMS the special place that it is.

During the run up to the general election last December there was some heated debate on education reforms, funding and the status of Independent Schools with a proposal from one political party to abolish them. It frustrates me that Independent Schools are all viewed as the same. According to political campaigners, Independent School parents are all awash with wealth. We know that this is not the case and we pride ourselves on being different. Our families work incredibly hard, making a number of sacrifices because they have chosen to provide their sons or daughters with the best possible education. More than 50% of our students are new to independent schooling and in September we welcomed the largest number of students to BMS in the school’s history. That we have been entrusted with the education of so many girls and boys is truly a privilege.

With my very best wishes

Alex Tate Headmaster