Considering boarding education in the UK? Look through our Bede's School Brochure and find out more about a leading school in East Sussex
Welcome to
A Leading Prep & Senior Boarding School Located in East Sussex, UK
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Education with a difference At Bede’s we offer education to boys and girls from 3 months through to 18 years old. We believe in discovering the talents of every pupil and enabling each individual to succeed in every aspect of their education both inside and outside the classroom. We place creativity, passion and individuality at the heart of school life. Bede's is an independent, co-educational school located across two stunning sites, one by the sea in Eastbourne at the foot of the South Downs Way and one in the heart of the stunning Sussex countryside. Both schools are situated within easy reach of London, with good train links and under 90 minutes journey time to the capital.
The School provides all its pupils the opportunity to discover their talents through a renowned co-curricular programme which runs alongside an outstanding academic programme. Bede’s has a proud tradition of excellence in sport, with elite academy programmes in cricket, hockey, tennis and football and international standard sports coaching and facilities. We are proud to provide some of the most impressive, award-winning boarding facilities in the country. House parents and staff put the wellbeing of every pupil first, and offer outstanding pastoral care. Bede’s is a place where every pupil is truly treated as an individual and where young people are enriched in a holistic way – not only for success in the material sense, but in ways which enable them to flourish meaningfully, as rounded human beings.
Bede’s is a school where every pupil is encouraged to aspire to be the best they can be, but most importantly, they are empowered to enjoy their learning and explore their passions. Bede’s School has a number of truly unique amenities including its own zoo, a multi-award winning art school and the UK’s oldest residential modern and ballet school, the Legat Dance Academy.
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Heads welcome's
Our Vision Where every child finds joy in their pursuit of brilliance
Our Mission
We continue to craft a more joyful education. Cultivating a vibrant learning experience, motivating us to pursue our individual best. Providing a festival of opportunity, enabling us to discover new passions and develop new talents. Building a kind-hearted community, inspiring us to enhance the lives of others.
Bede’s is a place ‘where every child feels a sense of belonging and finds joy in their pursuit of brilliance.’ Bede’s Prep is a vibrant, energetic and forward-thinking school, which focuses on promoting learning,
At Bede’s, we foster a community of curiosity which encourages every individual to find and develop their passions, seek new horizons, develop lasting friendships and achieve their potential.
personal growth and development. We provide pupils with a curriculum that is broad, stimulating and designed to facilitate the highest possible levels of attainment by those who follow it - programmes of study that imbue children with a wealth of skills, a depth of knowledge and an irrepressible curiosity. Every pupil will achieve personal excellence within a happy, safe and stimulating environment. By providing a festival of opportunities, we enable our pupils to discover new passions and develop new talents, motivating them to be the best versions of themselves. Our exceptional pastoral care is evidenced as happy pupils who are engaged in their learning and actively involved in the wider life of the school, embracing every opportunity provided to them. Pupils who are kind to themselves and each other and are gracious about success and failure.
Our Values
By presenting our pupils with the prospect of innovation, exploration
and experimentation, all the while championing choice at every turn, each Bedian is nurtured to find joy in their pursuit of brilliance, to develop a genuine love of learning. We are also firm believers that if children are able to find joy during their time in school then their joyful experiences will inform their successes – so much so that every teacher and pupil at Bede’s is united by the idea that if we support one another and work hard then we can all exceed every expectation. This philosophy is built on our belief in belonging, where pupils are able to be and in time become. This culture of compassion and conscientiousness enables Bede’s to nurture inquisitive minds and, in combination with the opportunities our campus provides, creates the conditions for unforgettable memories.
Be Compassionate Because a caring community fosters belonging. We expect our community to show kindness to people of all ages, genders and ethnicities, maintaining campuses where every person feels joyful and energised. Be Courageous Because fortune favours the brave. We challenge our community to stand up for what is right, providing them with a safe environment where they can take bold action in pursuit of brilliance. Be Curious Because wisdom can be found off the beaten track. We encourage our community to discover unlikely passions and hidden niches, releasing them into a wealth of opportunities inside and outside the classroom. Be Conscientious Because dedication is a spearhead of success. We ask our community to throw themselves wholeheartedly into every endeavour, taking responsibility for their journey and inspiring others to do the same.
Leigh-Anne Morris Head, Bede’s Prep School
Peter Goodyer Headmaster, Bede’s Senior School
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Location, location, location Bede’s Prep was founded in 1895 and is located on the idyllic coastline of Eastbourne at the foot of the South Downs Way and just 13 miles from the Senior School, welcoming our youngest pupils from 3 months into our Nursery, to 13 years in our Prep School. Bede’s Prep and Nursery has approximately 300 pupils and provides an all-round education where academic pursuits are supported by wonderful co-curricular opportunities.
“When I was told I was coming to Bede’s, I was very excited. But I would have never imagined all the experiences I’m living. Boarding is not just about meeting lots of new people and, for overseas students, learning English. It is also about getting used to a routine, both on school days and at weekends and learning to be independent. I’m so busy, I don’t even have time to feel homesick. This is definitely an amazing experience that I will never forget and I would recommend it to anyone.” (Maria, Year 7) “Bede’s Prep has such a big heart with a joyful, happy environment. Pupils here are valued for who they are and are inspired to be curious and passionate about the world, and compassionate and kind to others. It’s
Welcome to Bede’s Prep
certainly a special place.” (Talk Education, Feb 2024)
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Boarding at Bede’s Prep Currently undergoing an extensive renovation and refurbishment programme, Meads End is a cosy and comfortable home from home overlooking the sea and directly across the road from the Prep School. It has a large common
room with a kitchen room and dining room attached. This is the heart of the house where most of our boarders from all over the world relax in the evening. The smaller common room, the ‘Snug’ is where boarders can do their homework, play computer games and read and share stories. We have a lovely, mature garden at Meads End, where pupils can play and enjoy time outside. Pupils can board from Year 5 but the majority are in Years 6 to 8, offering weekly and full boarding and preparing children for the next steps to senior school. Our boarding team includes our Head of Boarding, Housemaster, Deputy Housemistress, Matrons, House Tutors and a Boarding Assistant. Teaching staff also run the Sunday trip, and activity Programme and each boarder is allocated a key worker when they join the School. With taster days and our buddy system alongside our exceptional pastoral care, your child will settle into life at Bede’s Prep quickly. English support Our EAL (English as an Additional Language) team takes a holistic interest in our overseas pupils’ experience at Bede’s which goes far beyond just their academic and linguistic progress.
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Academically ambitious
The curriculum for each year group at Bede’s Prep School focuses on promoting learning, personal growth and development.
As the children move through the year groups, each curriculum also includes an ever-evolving and increasingly rigorous ‘hidden curriculum’ - a set of skills the children develop from the ways they are treated and the expectations set by their teachers, informed by communication between teachers, tutors and Heads of Year. This hidden curriculum is, like everything else at Bede’s, tweaked and personalised to suit the needs, talents and propensities of each individual. Every pupil will finish their time at Bede’s Prep with a uniquely distinguished academic record, a set of high personal ideals, and a clear set of aspirations particular to them. Bede’s is academically ambitious for its pupils, and our outstanding teachers work extremely hard to inspire them. Nestled in an exceptionally picturesque location, with the breathtaking Downs nearby and the serene sea within reach, we recognise the paramount importance of engaging with our local environment. Outdoor learning is not just encouraged but celebrated across all year groups, fostering a deep connection to nature. Our thriving Forest School and Beach School sessions bear testament to this commitment, consistently captivating our pupils.
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Beyond the classroom With a large sports hall, astro, swimming pool there are also four pitches on the headland. Sport falls into three categories at both the Prep and Senior Schools: Core (cricket, hockey, football and tennis), Competitive (netball, swimming) and support sports. Support sport is offered through the activities programme and ranges from basketball, sailing, paddle boarding, climbing, kayaking to riding, strength and conditioning, volleyball, badminton.
Bede’s is also home to the prestigious Legat Dance Academy. From Year 6, dancers can audition for the Legat Dance Programme, where they attend weekly classes – trained by world class professionals in ballet, contemporary and creative. In Drama there are frequent opportunities for performing on stage and behind the scenes, including professional opportunities at major theatres. Music too is inclusive and collaborative with orchestra, jazz ensembles, swing band, drums, and singing, as well as a huge number of visiting teachers for individual music lessons. The fantastic activities programme has more than 60 options – changing every six weeks and where children are encouraged to choose something that they haven’t tried before. Activities include games, film club, art and ceramics, photography, cookery, swimming and sports, debating, musical theatre, graphic design, forest school and advanced maths. Our renowned Weekend Programme ensures that boarders enjoy a phelora of fun and active pursuits, such as trampolining and go-karting as well as visits to Brighton and a range of local attractions. To find out more about Bede’s Prep School visit bedes.org/discover
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Escape to the country Founded in 1978, Bede’s Senior School is located in the pretty Sussex village of Upper Dicker surrounded by over 100 beautiful acres of Sussex Downs National Park, a site of Special Scientific Interest. A former private country residence, the school is a blend of old buildings, newer Sussex-clapperboard style, modern brick and cutting-edge design – an eclectic mix but with a natural flow and a comfortable feel. Welcoming pupils from age 13 - 18 years, Bede’s Senior School accommodates approximately 800 pupils and has a renowned reputation as one of the leading Senior Schools in the UK with enviable facilities, teaching and outstanding academic and co-curricular programmes.
“Bede’s is unlike any other school that I know of. There is more of an equal balance between academic lessons and co-curricular activities. You spend lots of time outside, discovering your passions, which leaves you energised and inspired during academic lessons. There is so much opportunity for you to figure out your interests and talents and work on these.” (Amelia, Year 9) ‘This school lets you be yourself,’ says one pupil at this exceptional co-ed day and boarding school in Sussex where pupils thrive and shine in all areas, from the classroom to the playing field, the art studio to the stage…Proudly non-selective, the school is interested in the child not league tables. It’s a holistic approach that pays dividends, with happy and engaged pupils living in the moment and embracing everything that comes their way.” (Talk Education, Feb 2024)
Welcome to Bede’s Senior School
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Boarding life Boarding offers a unique environment for children to grow and thrive, providing them with a strong sense of community, belonging, and independence. Boarding at Bede’s is a rich and immersive educational experience that goes beyond academics. We cultivate a sense of belonging through our boarding houses which offers pupils the opportunity to mix with other children from all over the world with diverse cultural backgrounds, helping them to learn from each other’s perspectives and experiences. Boarding teaches them valuable social skills and how to navigate diverse social environments so that every boarder has the chance to find somebody that they connect with and somewhere that they belong. Socially, it allows them to form lasting friendships. Emotionally, boarding teaches resilience as children learn to navigate challenges away from home, building confidence and self- reliance. Academically, boarders have access to teachers and resources in the evenings and on weekends providing additional help and academic enrichment. Living on campus also allows pupils to fully participate in evening and weekend activities programmes. Activities include sports and active pursuits like windsurfing, paddle boarding and mountain biking, as well as cultural trips to London theatres or on-site creative and academic workshops and social activities. Boarding instils crucial life skills such as time management, organisation, and teamwork, preparing them for future academic and professional endeavours. With approximately 320 boarders, pupils are accommodated across five boarding houses with about 80 in each, split into family-style mixed age groups of about 10. Pupils can full or weekly board or be attached to a house as day boarders. Our boarding provision has evolved in recent years with the development of award-winning boarding houses equipped with superb modern facilities in architecturally bespoke buildings. Our boarding accommodation has been built to ensure the highest standards in welfare and comfort with breakout study spaces, social areas with games equipment, quiet corners, bright and cosy bedrooms and even fully equipped kitchens so boarders can hone their cookery skills! In 2022 we extended our boarding accommodation portfolio building a brand new boys eco boarding house set in the heart of the campus overlooking the lake with stunning atrium and state of the art facilities.
Additional support Individual, small group and in-class support is available for children with additional needs. Bede’s also has one of the country’s leading EAL (English as an Additional Language) departments. Wellbeing and academics are given equal footing, with emotional and subject support in place. The diversity of pupils (international boarders and mix of backgrounds) breeds a culture of inclusion and tolerance.
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More than a school The facilities are superb and spacious, with multiple tennis courts, a floodlit, Olympic-standard hockey Astro, a competition-standard pool, a phenomenal sports complex, grass pitches, cricket ovals and traditional cricket pavilion. Pupils are logistically and emotionally supported in their sporting endeavours, and staff ensure that they are able to keep up with their mainstream academic work. Bede’s is considered to be one of the top schools for each of the core sports it offers - cricket, football, hockey and tennis. Our academies run all year round and offer not only world class facilities, but professional level coaching and a structured individualised programme of training. Our links to regional and national squads drives progression and ensures success. Performing Arts is popular at Bede’s with professional productions, specialist courses in backstage tech and specialist lessons from industry experts. Bede’s is also home to the prestigious Legat Dance Academy.
Dancers are trained by world class professionals in ballet, contemporary and jazz, with supplementary training in creative, strength and conditioning, tap and musical theatre. Our acclaimed Art School includes dark rooms, ceramics studios, a Mac graphics studio and Victorian printing press. Year 9 pupils can study Fine Art, Ceramics, Photography and Graphics. A third of our pupils go on to study art-related degrees.
Our renowned co-curricular programme offers more than 100 activities, including Model United Nations, debating,
Nestled beside the playing fields, the zoo is home to 70 species, including marmosets, polecats, lemurs, African birds and kinkajous. It’s a cornerstone of the BTEC in Animal Management which has spring- boarded pupils to careers in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing zoology and conservation.
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60% A/A* GRADES AT A-LEVEL 86% A*-B AT A-LEVEL MATHEMATICS
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Powerful academics Although the core subjects of English, maths, science and languages remain central, pupils in the First Year are given a huge amount of scope to invest time in the arts, dance and other passions – or to benefit from ‘The World’ carousel, which delivers learning in humanities, philosophy and more. GCSE choices are broad (pupils take on an appropriate number of subjects) and there are 33 A-level and BTEC options, including media studies, photography, animal management and dance. Some international students take A-level in their native language in Year 12 and the Lower Sixths also do the Bede’s Diploma, a one- year programme divided into four parts: Extend, an additional qualification such as further maths, an EPQ or arts, sports or financial qualification; Engage, 20 hours of community service;
97%
ACADEMIC 2024 HIGHLIGHTS 100% PASS RATE IN 47 COURSES 45% 9-7 AT GCSE
MERIT & ABOVE AT BTEC
A-LEVEL CANDIDATES 80% A*-B GRADES AT A-LEVEL 58 GCSE PUPILS WITH
87%
Enlighten, compulsory lectures and optional workshops by visiting experts; and Enhance, life skills beyond school.
A-LEVEL PUPILSACHIEVED AT LEAST 1 A/A* 94%
Pupils fly confidently from Bede’s to Russell Group universities, the Royal Academy of Music, dance and drama colleges, including Elmhurst and Laine Theatre Arts, and many win hockey and football scholarships to the US or contracts with professional clubs, which in recent years has included Premiership football teams. Although Bede's is not an academically selective school, we deliver impressive academic results which we believe are achieved through our outstanding teaching provision, but also our ‘finding joy’ philosophy, whereby children can explore their passions alongside their studies. In 2024 some 80% of pupils achieved A*-B in their A levels.
36 SUBJECTS OFFERED AT GCSE
GCSE PASS RATE
AT LEAST FIVE 9-7’s GRADES 39 SUBJECTS OFFERED AT A-LEVEL/BTEC
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25% A-LEVEL GRADES AWARDED AN A*
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Book a virtual appointment with our friendly admissions team today. Email admissions@bedes.org.uk or call +(44) 01322 356609
PUPILS WITH PLACES AT RUSSELL GROUP (or equivalent)
GCSE CANDIDATES
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Bede’s Preparatory School Duke’s Drive, Eastbourne East Sussex BN20 7XL
Bede’s Senior School Upper Dicker East Sussex BN27 3QH
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