Well done to all nine of our students who all undertook and passed the RLSS National Pool Lifeguarding Qualification.

The lifeguard training took place during February half-term, under the expert guidance of Head of Swimming, Mr Castro.

We are also delighted to report that the first two Sixth Form recipients (Ella Ponter and Gabriela Woodroffe-Gomez) of the Marion Waller Lifesaving Award, also took part. They are the first cohort to benefit from the legacy enabling the school to fund two lifeguard training places, each year for the next five years.

Ella Ponter (Lower Sixth) reflected on her experience: “Doing the Marion Waller Lifeguarding Award was a wonderful and very beneficial experience. Being able to have such an opportunity has taught me many important skills, as I now have a wider knowledge of first aid and more capabilities to be able to help others.”

During the application period for this Award we received many strong applications from students looking to benefit, and kindly the Fellowship Fund agreed to fund an additional three Sixth Form students to benefit from the week-long training course.

The Fellowship Fund was started in 1907 by a number of old girls of Bedford High School ‘to advance the education of girls of Bedford High School’. The fund is available 'to advance the education of past pupils of Bedford High School and present and past pupils of Bedford Girls’ School' to be used for educational purposes in the broadest sense. The Trustees are able to make awards to help with GAP year courses, elective studies, vocational and extra-curricular projects/courses and are happy to consider applications for amounts normally up to a maximum of £1000. For further information click here.  

Clea Grimshaw (Lower Sixth) said: “I loved taking part in the NPLQ course at school, as I felt it was a great way to gain another qualification, learn First Aid and work towards a part-time job. I am grateful for the Fellowship Fund that covered the course cost for me as I don’t think I would have been able to have this opportunity otherwise.”