Biddenham Upper School

Biddenham Upper School is a 13-19 coeducational state comprehensive school serving the Brickhill, Harpur and Queens Park areas of Bedford plus the village of Biddenham, England. The school holds Specialist Sports College status. It was formed in 1988 from the merger of John Howard and Pilgrim schools using the site of the former.

Its first head teacher was Garry Fitzhugh; the head teacher, as of 2007, is David Bailey and the Principal is Mike Berrill

Layout

Biddenham is divided into six main blocks rather than one whole building like most schools. The blocks were named in 2003 by competition winner Ian Whitmore, a student at Biddenham. These are:

• Hurst (H) block (named after Geoff Hurst, the former English footballer)
• Radcliffe (R) block (named after Paula Radcliffe, the English runner)
• Akabusi (A) block (named after Kriss Akabusi, the English athlete)
• Tendulkar (T) block (named after Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar)
• Davies (D) block (named after English swimmer Sharron Davies)
• Sports block (named after Tanni Grey-Thompson, the English paralympic athlete)

H, A, T, and R blocks all face a central quadrangle, where many students spend break and lunchtimes. The quad has recently (2007) been widened and refurbished with picnic benches.

From 1980 - 1989 The six blocks were named according to the core subjects taught in them:

• H block ... Humanities taught subjects R.E. , Sociology, Humanities, Languages, Maths. Downstairs 3rd year common room, Upstairs 4th year common room
• R Block ... Resources ... Included the Library and the Canteen .. taught subjects English, History, Geography, 5th year & 6th Form common rooms
• A Block ... Administration.. Teachers offices, staff room, School assembly hall/theatre. Also music rooms and small sports room
• T Block ... Technology. Taught subjects Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Design & Craft, Woodwork, Metalwork
• S Block ... Sports Block ... included Sports hall and Changing rooms
• D Block ... Design ... Taught subject Arts ... also kitchens for Home Economics

Timetable

Biddenham has a somewhat unusual school day, consisting of only four 75-minute lessons and breaks between each lesson. Other unusual features include the absence of any morning registration (students are registered in each lesson), the fact that bells are not used, and the earlier start and finish times. A typical school day is as follows:

8.00 - Lesson 1

9.15 - tutor time

9.35 - Break 2

10.50 - Lesson 2

11.05 - break 3

11.15 - lesson 3

12.30 - lunch time

1.15 - Lesson 4

2.30 - End of school day

After-school clubs take place from 2.45 until 4.00, and sixth formers may have a 5th lesson during this period on some days.

International school

In October 2008 Biddenham Upper School was awarded International School status by the British Council. The award was made in recognition of Biddenham's international ethos and its links with schools abroad. Following this, the school planned to offer the International Baccalaureate to its sixth form students as an alternative to A level courses from September 2010, however a lack of interest amongst students has led to the baccalaureate being withdrawn at the school for this academic year.

Catchment

Most of the schools students come from Newnham Middle School, Westfield Middle School, Goldington Academy and Beauchamp Middle School in Brickhill, with a few also coming from Lincroft Middle School and Robert Bruce Middle School.