Bedales Podcast

Beyond Bedales - Creating buildings that inspire learning

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 12:24:01 GMT

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 Shannon reflects on how growing up at Bedales sparked her passion for inclusive and sustainable design. She shares how spaces can influence creativity, confidence and wellbeing, and how Bedales’ values continue to inspire her work.

Together, their reflections offer a vivid picture of how the school’s built environment has evolved while staying rooted in its ethos of head, hand and heart. It’s a thoughtful look at how buildings can enable community, curiosity and the freedom to learn.

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Beyond Bedales - Rethinking Science education

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 11:23:10 GMT

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 The school is developing an exciting new science curriculum to replace the outdated GCSE system, focusing on critical thinking, inquiry-based learning, and continuous assessment in addition to terminal exams. Alumni and parents then discuss Bedales’ influence in fostering their fascinating STEM careers in fields ranging from AI and engineering to digital education, emphasising that creativity and human connection remain essential skills in an increasingly automated world.

This episode is produced by Old Bedalian Sofia GM.

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Life@Bedales - Conversations with international students finding home far from home

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 15:28:45 GMT

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 talk about the friendships they’ve formed across different year groups, the fun of weekend BBQs and celebrations like Thanksgiving, and the confidence they’ve gained from trying new things and finding their strengths across the curriculum.

Sport features strongly too, with students loving the facilities and the chance to get involved in activities they’d never tried before. They also speak about the freedom to express themselves, whether that’s through their work, their interests or simply by wearing their own clothes.

A recurring theme is the authentic relationships students build with teachers. First‑name terms and a culture of mutual respect help create an environment where they feel genuinely cared for and understood. It’s a place where they’re encouraged to “be yourself and have a go” - advice they’re keen to pass on to anyone joining the school for the first time.

You’ll hear honest reflections on how Bedales has shaped our students: how they’ve grown more confident, more open and more at home in themselves.

This is life at Bedales, told through the voices of those who travelled farthest to find it.

Music performed by Bedales students. Interview recordings by George Purves and edited by Old Bedalian Sofia GM.

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Life@Bedales - Christmas special

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 14:08:34 GMT

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 from All Saints’ Church, Steep in December 2025, led by Doug McIlwraith, Director of Music, and featuring the Bedales Senior Choir and readings from students and staff. Thank you to Harry Boulton, Assistant Director of Music, for the recording of the service, Rev Canon Dr Susie Collingridge for taking the service and making available the church, The congregation for joining in so heartily with the singing, and to Sofia GM, Old Bedalian, for producing this episode.

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Life@Bedales - Talking politics

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 16:48:36 GMT

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 increasing influence of social media is considered as well as wider global developments in politics, and in particular in the US. If you’d like to learn more, tune in! This edition was recorded and edited by Bedales 6.1 (year 12) student, Arthur.

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Beyond Bedales - In conversation with fashion designers Charlotte Dellal and Alexander Yetman

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 21:40:26 GMT

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 create his own label of handmade clothing based from his London studio. Together, they reflect on their creative approaches, influences, the fashion industry and how their time at Bedales shaped their creative journeys. This episode is produced by Bedales alumna Sofia G-M (2014).

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Beyond Bedales - Behind the scenes with the theatrical Stansted Players

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 20:10:26 GMT

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 Christy Callaway-Gale (2012) finds out from Alastair how he revived the players in 1990 and moved its home to Selborne and Bedales. Old Bedalian Sofia G-M (2014) then meets up with other players Serena Brett (2011), Nick Tier (1986) and Jordan Theis (2010) during rehearsals for their 2025 production of Shakespeare’s Two Gentlemen of Verona.

The Stansted Players perform at Bedales School annually at the end of August.

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Beyond Bedales - Leading food and lifestyle photographer Georgia Glynn Smith in conversation

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 16:58:45 GMT

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 industry. Sofia and Georgia get stuck into conversation and laughs, in good Bedalian fashion, and discuss all things from Georgia’s extensive career, the influence of her school, and most recently a thrilling trip across India on a rickshaw.

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Life@Bedales - Screen addiction and supporting young people

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 14:37:23 GMT

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 responsibilities of parents and big technology companies.

This podcast episode is released ahead of a live theatre show and film viewing of Super Connected at Bedales School on 17 September as part of Tim Arnold’s UK tour. Tickets are available for this feature-length film drama with live music at https://www.bedales.org.uk/event/super-connected-tim-arnold

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Life@Bedales - A celebration of poetry at Bedales with interviews and readings featuring students, alumni Esme Allman and Head of English, David Anson

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 12:59:04 GMT

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.

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Life@Bedales - Discussion and performance of jazz standard by Bedales student and teacher

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 11:41:19 GMT

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.

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Life@Bedales - Discussion on the Rural Refugee Network with students and a trustee of the charity

Thu, 22 May 2025 08:45:41 GMT

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, community support, education, training and financial assistance for essentials such as clothing, IT equipment or furniture. Kath gives an insight into the refugee experience of our time, common misconceptions, and how to support their cause.

All episodes of the Bedales Podcast are at www.bedales.org.uk/about-us/news-hub/bedales-podcast and you can find out more about the RRN at www.ruralrefugeenetwork.org/.

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Beyond Bedales - Alumni William Miller and Kiffer Weisselberg compare notes about their time at the school in the 1980s and 1960s

Thu, 08 May 2025 09:25:45 GMT

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.

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Life@Bedales - A roundtable discussion with the Heads of Bedales Senior, Prep and Pre-prep schools outlining their inspirations and plans.

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 11:28:13 GMT

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, which take a more balanced, 21st century approach to assessment and curriculum, and an innovation centre is in development to support broader reform of the education sector in the UK and globally.

Introduced by Old Bedalian Sofia GM (2012-14), this episode is released at the start of the Summer term 2025 during Clare’s first week as Head of Bedales Prep - having taken over from Colin Baty - and was recorded just before Clare joined Bedales.

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Life@Bedales - Conversation with Teacher and Houseparent Chris Bott

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 13:22:07 GMT

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 Bedales career.

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Beyond Bedales - Constanza Chorus, Music Director and members of the London-based choir

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 11:51:04 GMT

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 its founding in 2010.

Joined by choir members and Old Bedalians Lucy Lee (née Coates, 1997-2002), Christy Callaway-Gale (2005-12) and Valerie Saint-Pierre (1983-90), they discuss Jo's extraordinary skills as a conductor and their journey from singing in the Bedales Lupton Hall to selling out Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.

You can also find out how to book a ticket for their next concert taking place at Cadogan Hall on 26 April 2025.

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