Bedales Podcast

A journey through the school’s most characterful spaces to uncover how architecture shapes life and learning at Bedales. Old Bedalian Sofia walks the campus with illustrator, author and former Chair of Governors Matthew Rice, exploring the stories, craft and philosophy behind the buildings and the handmade structures born from outdoor work. In the second half, architect and Old Bedalian Katie Shan...

This Beyond Bedales podcast episode explores how STEM education is being transformed at Bedales School. Head of Science Faculty Liz Stacy discusses her journey from the chemical industry to teaching, highlighting Bedales' unique approach that emphasises creativity, autonomy, and real-world relevance over rote memory. The school is developing an exciting new science curriculum to replace the outdat...

Welcome to Life@Bedales - Finding home far from home , conversations with Bedales international students about what it’s like to join a UK boarding school and build a life here. In this episode, students reflect on their experiences of settling into Bedales School - from discovering British food to becoming part of a small, close‑knit community that quickly starts to feel like a second home. They...

Welcome to this Christmas episode of the Bedales Podcast featuring interviews, carols and readings from members of the Bedales School community. We hear from Clare Kirkham (Head of Bedales Prep) and Will Goldsmith (Head of Bedales) in conversation with Sixth Form students Orlando and Aaron. We then enjoy highlights from the Bedales Service of Carols and Readings for Advent and Christmas, recorded...

Sixth Form students Aaron and Orlando talk all things politics with Bedales Senior’s Head of Humanities Faculty, Abi Wharton. The conversation initially focuses on the democratic legitimacy of a government and the pros and cons of lowering the voting age to 16 in England. The need for more education on democracy and citizenship is raised, to help young people make the most of such a change. The in...

Welcome to this episode of the Bedales Podcast focussing on the fashion industry. We’re joined by two trailblazing fashion designers and Bedales alumni - Charlotte Dellal (1999), founder of Charlotte Olympia, known for her bold, whimsical, award-winning designs centred around luxury shoes which she grew into a global brand, and Alexander Yetman (2015), who has developed his childhood passion to cr...

This podcast is all about the Stansted Players, a theatrical group of Bedales alumni, directed by former Bedales teacher Alastair Langlands. They come together every year to produce a play, usually a little-known one, which is then performed at Bedales. The acting troupe of Stansted Players was founded in the late 1920s by the Earl of Bessborough of Stansted House. In this episode, current player...

In this episode, Bedales alumna Sofia GM (2014) heads to North London to meet world leading food and lifestyle photographer Georgia Glynn Smith (1985) in her home and studio in Islington. Celebrated by Jamie Oliver as the “best food photographer in the world”, Georgia has photographed over 50 books for the biggest names in food, as well as more recently developing innovative businesses in the food...

Welcome to this Bedales podcast featuring musician Tim Arnold, actor Kate Alderton, and Bedales Senior School pastoral staff Peter Thackrey and Jen Moore. They discuss the school's approach to the difficult issue of screen dependency, and the use of art and creativity to explore this topic and its impact on young people's mental health. The discussion also considers the perspectives and responsibi...

This episode is a celebration of poetry at Bedales. Old Bedalian Sofia GM (2012-14) and current student Nadia attend the Bedales Poetry Festival at the school. Interviews include Old Bedalian poet Esme Allman (2013-15) and Head of English, David Anson. The episode features poetry readings and student poetry workshops, and finishes with a reading by Esme with accompanying music by Merce Jade. ...

This sixth episode of the Bedales Podcast features alumnus and current guitar teacher, Kevin Walker (1988-96) and 6.2 (Year 13) student Siena discussing a well known jazz standard followed by their performance at a recent school assembly.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to this episode of the Bedales podcast. Sixth Form students Nadia and Anna interview Kath Lawrence, Trustee of the Rural Refugee Network (RRN), who visited Bedales as an external speaker for a global perspectives lecture. The RRN was formed in 2016 and works to support refugees and asylum seekers affected by war, such as those from Afghanistan and Ukraine. They help to provide housing, com...

Old Bedalians William Miller (1982), TV producer and entrepreneur, and Kiffer Weisselberg (1961), actor and entrepreneur, get together to chat and compare notes about their time at Bedales in the 1980s and 1960s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Heads of Bedales Senior, Prep and Pre-prep, Will Goldsmith, Clare Kirkham and Fiona Read, briefly discuss their motivations to become part of the unique Bedales community and plans for the future. Hear about the school’s innovative education philosophy that places emphasis on ‘head, hand and heart’, creativity and experiential learning. The school’s own alternatives to GCSEs are highlighted, w...

Bedales Sixth Form students, Agnes and Naz interview Teacher of History and Global Perspectives, and Houseparent on Boys' Flat, the famous Chris Bott. Chris has been a vital part of Bedales for several years, he has ranged from a day houseparent to a hockey teacher. In this episode we dive into old stories of Bedalians, ask about his teaching style and get to know about the highlights of his Bedal...

Welcome to our first episode of the Bedales podcast! Bedales alumna Sofia GM (2012-14) heads to St Mary-at-Hill Church in the City of London, to talk to Old Bedalian Joanna Tomlinson (1997-99) about her incredible career in classical music. Jo is a professional conductor, singer and vocal coach who founded Constanza Chorus, a thriving London choir that’s been popular with Old Bedalians since...