The Good SchoolS Guide

Bede’S PreParaTory School

Good Schools Guide reviewThe Good Schools Guide is the recognised ‘go to’ guide for families in search of the right school for their children.

The Guide is an important reference for parents because it is the only publication that researches and publishes impartial and independent reports on schools, consulting with parents, pupils and staff.

The following is the review published by the Good Schools Guide resulting from their visit to Bede’s in June 2015:

SnapshotSpace is a key asset and to anyone used to, for example, an urban prep or primary, Bede's is a revelation... Sports are exceptional – and not just because of facilities – at both ends of the spectrum... "My parents wish they could have come here."

What the school saysThe purpose of a school is to prepare its pupils for a rich, rewarding life. At Bede’s this is our privilege and our specialism. Our philosophy means that whether a child is a drama scholar, maths prodigy or aspiring computer programmer they will have the specialist facilities and dedicated staff they need to surpass all expectations – including their own.

We support and enrich every individual, guiding them through lessons, supporting them on the sports field and connecting them with their passions through our expansive, flexible activities programme. Our pupils are with us for their crucial, formative years, and we enable them to embrace the challenges and opportunities they will meet in their life beyond.

We expect a lot of each other at Bede’s and we will inspire our pupils to expect a lot of themselves. You will not find the same personalised, holistic, wholly educational experience anywhere else, and this helps us to ensure that every individual at Bede’s has the chance to become extraordinary.

headmasterSince 2013, Mr Giles Entwisle BA (French, politics and economics at Loughborough) PGCE (late forties). He came from a deputy headship at Highfield (qv), prior to which he was head of year, housemaster and head of MFL at Holmewood House (qv), near Tunbridge Wells. An enthusiastic, ambitious and engaging, career prep school man, he and Dr Maloney are a mutually appreciative team, sharing a vision of Bede's and its shining potential. Mr Entwisle, a keen skier – so, clear-sighted, focussed and energetic – has a palpable commitment to getting the best out of everyone – pupils and staff alike. Married to a Spaniard and school fosters many links with Spain.

Parents are delighted: "He's lovely with the children – he knows everyone by name and is getting an excellent new team around him." "His door is always open."

entranceNot yet oversubscribed by much but this is likely to change so get in early. Around twice as many boys as girls – as elsewhere.

exitVast majority to the senior school (you need to see it and feel it to understand why) though a few to other local and less local senior schools.

‘He knows everyone by name and is getting an excellent new team around him.’

remarksYou can't beat it for location. At the upmarket end of the grassy Eastbourne seafront where the land curves and rises to the great cliff of Beachy Head, perches an attractive five storey, mock-Tudorbethan pile, its long windows facing the sea. Surrounded by fields on all but its southern aspect, with a cluster of smaller buildings round about, it sits like a benign hen comfortably supervising its offspring, assured that all can run about safely in a healthy, beautiful, open space.

Space is a key asset and to anyone used to, for example, an urban prep or primary, Bede's is a revelation. There are more fields five minutes up the hill and another five minutes inland - all facilitates the range of sports available to these lucky children who have the look of relaxed freedom that inhabiting such openness gives. Space also in eg the dining hall, one wall of which is just large windows fully open on warm, sunny days so that the outside and the inside blend.

Two main buildings. Holywell Mount – a large Edwardian house to the right of the main building if you face the sea – houses the pre-prep and nursery. We visited at the end of a long day and were astonished by the bright-eyed vitality of the teachers. They told us of the new topic with which each term is launched in each classroom – "It's so exciting – they can't wait to come in and see what we're going to do!"

And on offer in just some rooms were: Under the Sea World, Ice World, Out of the Egg (and you should have seen the egg!) and Knock Knock - imaginative stuff, inviting exploration and discovery of all kinds.

Sports are exceptional – and not just because of facilities – at both ends of the spectrum. Says Mr Entwisle – "we're the best cricketing prep in the country" and, as parents told us, "even the non-sporty get enthused – and they have elite schemes for the really talented". "They do wonderful trips, especially for sports and languages." Children concur: "We went to Portugal and got trained by Benfica." Senior school fields etc also used. Several teams in most sports for all years so that all but the child with thumbs glued to his ipad get a look-in, though some sense that more could be done for the less than athletic. Dance is serious – remember that Bede's is home to The Legat Dance School – so all do dance up to year 5 and many continue. Teachers seen as "brill!" Music has a new director and is set to sparkle; art and drama well on the way.

‘They do wonderful trips, especially for sports and languages.’

Parents enthuse: "The teachers are wonderful – so imaginative and approachable!" – and especially about individual needs and pastoral care – "superb – any problems or hint of bullying are dealt with at speed" and, "they answer emails practically before you've sent them". Weekly staff meeting to discuss and act on academic or pastoral concerns with head of learning support on hand if needed. Pupil praise too – "they push you to your potential and we are only ten in some groups so they can really help you". Small group specialist work in eg fine motor skills, writing, reading, phonics for tots who seem to be falling behind. All lower classes have a TA to support individuals but some feel this should continue into upper years, "where they need it just as much if they are struggling with a subject". As a pupil told us, "When I'm stuck, if they take time to explain it to me, I really get it!" Individual support – and around 25 per cent on the SEND register here – described as "good but pricey".

"Health and safety are taken very seriously," parents tell us, as are efforts to integrate newcomers, especially into year 7 when there is a fairly substantial intake. And there is masses to do. "My daughter was very shy but there are so many performances and so on – her confidence has grown

unbelievably!" No shortage of facilities, inside and out – big sports hall, 18m pool, climbing walls, decent library – "they'll get books you want if you ask" – good theatre and lovely, light rooms with the downside that, "if I'm facing the sea I just go into a daydream," as one youngster confessed!

Most are local though word is spreading and pupils now bus or car in from a wider range of villages. School runs its own bus service on eight routes. Boarding – small but growing here, unlike elsewhere – currently starts at year 5 and is found in two attractive houses over the road from the main buildings, staffed by warm and cheery houseparents with their own children onsite and lively Aussie gappies. Plans afoot to develop this provision and school set to become a significant player in prep boarding on the south coast.

A happy school – "it's good at turning out all-rounders," said several. "It's pretty unsophisticated and relaxed – you don't get awful pushy parents there – they trust the school to know what it's doing." And, in the words of a pupil, "My parents wish they could have come here."

‘they push you to your potential and we are only ten in some groups so they can really help you’

Please visit our website bedes.org where you will find a wealth of news and information about the school or alternatively to book a tour and meeting with the Headmaster or a taster day for your child, please call our Admissions Office on 01323 746443 or email us at prep.admissions@bedes.org

Bede’s Preparatory SchoolDuke’s Drive, EastbourneEast Sussex BN20 7XL

T 01323 734222F 01323 746438bedes.org