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BMS 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. 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, becoming an independent school in 1976 and a coeducational day school in 2003, continuing to provide an education which is modern, rigorous and relevant.
We are always looking to enhance and expand our BMS Archive collection. If you have any items from your school days that you would like to donate to the school, we would be very grateful. To make a donation, please contact the Archivist using the enquiry function below.
Filling the Gaps
Cataloguing projects are currently underway and the School Archivist would welcome any items relating to the history of BMS or individual staff or students. In particular, there are significant gaps in the photograph collection and the Archivist would love to hear from anyone who may be willing to donate originals or copies of photographs from their time at the school.
BMS at War
A Roll of Honour for all OBMs who died during the First World War has been compiled from the School's memorials and records in the archive. Please download the full list of names here. In addition, a School WWI community site containing images and additional information has been set up on the IWM's Lives of the First World War website. Details of the School's other war memorials, commemorating those who died in the Boer War, Second World War and Korean War, can be found on the Roll of Honour website.
Click here for more information about Bedford Modern School and the First World War.
Records Held Elsewhere
Some early records from the School were transferred to the Bedfordshire Archives and Records Service prior to 1996 and are available for access to researchers by appointment. Further details, including a catalogue (with the archive reference BMS), can be found on their website.
The old BMS Museum, formed in 1884, became the nucleus of the new Bedford Museum in the 1960s. Many of the earlier collections –sent in to the School by OBMs from around the world – are displayed in the Collectors Gallery at the renamed Higgins Museum in Bedford.
To view this photo gallery
To view this photo gallery
To view this photo gallery
To view this photo gallery
To view this photo gallery
>To view this photo gallery