Curriculum
The early Bedalian curriculum provided sound coverage of English and modern languages, science and design, while gardening, crafts, drama and nature walks also took place. Academic standards in the early years oscillated through many phases of experimental syllabus.
In September 2006 Bedales introduced 'Bedales Assessed Courses' (abbreviated to BACs), devised 'to move away from the constraints of too many externally examined courses, and to win back the freedom necessary to reflect the school’s creative ethos, and its emphasis on the individual, in our teaching and learning'. Students in Blocks 4 and 5 (Years 10 and 11) combine five or seven GCSEs - English Language, Mathematics and a Modern Language GCSE, as well as IGCSE Double Award Science, are compulsory for all students in these years - with two or three BACs. Ten BACs are offered: Ancient Civilsations, Geography, PRE (Philosophy, Religion and Ethics), English Literature, Art, Design, Dance, Classical Music, Theatre Arts and Outdoor Work.
Outdoor Work is a unique aspect of the Bedales curriculum. As well as being a BAC, it can be taken as an alternative to games. It involves a myriad of activities focussed on maintaining the school's estate, including 'building barns, making a pond and creating natural sculptures' as well as opportunities to 'make jam or chutney, plant trees and to undertake gardening and livestock management tasks'. There is also a weekly opportunity to bake bread in the traditional wood-fired bread oven.
As well as the many curricular courses Bedales offers, there is a wide range of student run activities and societies. These range from the more traditional societies, such as Debating, Philosophy, Literary, Maths, etc., to the more eccentric, such as (the ever popular) Harry Potter Society, Gem Sweater Jamboree, Tea Appreciation society (Iced Tea in the summer), Akido, Jazz Appreciation, etc.
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Famous quotes containing the word curriculum:
“If we focus exclusively on teaching our children to read, write, spell, and count in their first years of life, we turn our homes into extensions of school and turn bringing up a child into an exercise in curriculum development. We should be parents first and teachers of academic skills second.”
—Neil Kurshan (20th century)