Bedford Modern School (often called simply BMS,) is a British co-educational independent school in the Harpur area of Bedford, in the county of Bedfordshire, in England.
Bedford Modern comprises a junior school (years 3-6) and a senior school (years 7-13). A wide variety of subjects are taught to GCSE and A-level standard.
Bedford Modern has its origins in the Bedford Charity, born from the endowments left by Sir William Harpur in the sixteenth century. Originally it was known as 'the Writing School', teaching copper plate handwriting in what is now the old Town Hall in St. Paul's Square, Bedford. It was originally situated "side by side" with Bedford School and opened with Bedford School in 1566. In 1834 it moved to prestigious mock Tudor Gothic premises, designed by Edward Blore in Harpur Square, the frontage of which is now part of the Harpur (shopping) Centre. The site became increasingly cramped, and in 1974 BMS moved again to its purpose-built premises on Manton Lane.
The School has had four names - the Writing School, the English School, the Commercial School and finally Bedford Modern School, the last change being made in 1873 to reflect the School's modern curriculum, providing an education for the professions. Until the Second World War BMS provided education not only for the locality but also for many colonial and military personnel seeking good education for their young families. Since then BMS has grown considerably. It was a direct grant grammar school until becoming independent in 1976, and became a coeducational day school in 2003.
Read more about Bedford Modern School: School Houses, 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, Notable Old Bedford Modernians, Notable Masters
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—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
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Readin’ and ‘ritin’ and ‘rithmetic; taught to the tune of a hick’ry stick.”
—Will D. Cobb (1876–1930)