Founded in 1915, it is situated on the outskirts of Tunbridge Wells in 23 acres of beautiful grounds. Handsome buildings and very good modern facilities. A friendly, family school which has all the advantages of being small. Building on a co-educational junior department, the senior school began accepting boys in 2008; it is co-educational throughout the school from 2011. It is a Roman Catholic foundation which welcomes all denominations. A good, broad general education is provided and examination results are good. Drama is strong; music and art flourish. A good range of sport, games, societies and clubs. Strong commitment to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. Full use is made of the cultural amenities of the town and of London.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 431 pupils, 379 day (161 boys, 218 girls), 52 boarding girls. Senior department 11-18, 243 pupils (74 boys, 169 girls; co-educational since 2008). Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 5, 11, 13 and 16. Entrance by interview and school reports (own scholarship exam); non-selective sixth-form entry, each pupil considered individually (GCSE grade B recommended in sixth-form subjects). No special skills required. Roman Catholic foundation but any denomination welcome. 30% of main senior intakes from state schools (plus 10% to sixth form), many from own junior department and from a number of other local prep and primary schools.
11 pa scholarships, value 20%-50% fees: 2 academic, 1 all-rounder, 2 sport, 2 art, 2 drama, 2 music. 3 bursaries. Parents expected to buy some sixth-form textbooks only; other extras vary.
Headmaster: Nicholas Beesley, in post since 1999. Educated at Bablake School and Oxford University (physics). Previously Deputy Head at the school, Head of Physics at Bedales, and Housemaster and physics teacher at Millfield. Teaching staff: 35 full time, 18 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 37.
GCSE: 35 pupils in Year 11, 65% gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects, 25% in 5-7 subjects (80% of pupils included English, maths, a science, a humanity and a modern language). A-levels: 25 in Year 13: 30% pass in 4+ subjects; 60% in 3; 10% in 2 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 350.
100% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course. 40% take courses in maths, science, engineering & medicine, 10% in humanities & social sciences, 30% in finance, business & languages, 10% in music & drama, 10% in art & architecture.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 21 AS/A-level subjects (including law, psychology, home economics, applied ICT and business studies). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level. No examined general studies but sixth-form enrichment programme includes ethics & issues, life skills, preparation for higher education, music & art appreciation. 20% take science A-levels; 40% arts/humanities; 40% both. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: EAL classes for foreign students and learning support for mild specific learning difficulties. Languages: French, Spanish and German offered to GCSE and A-level; other languages by arrangement. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 20 computers for pupil use (13 hours a day), all with email and internet access. Most pupils take Edexcel Certificate of Competence in IT.
Music: 50+% of pupils learn a musical instrument (including voice); instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include choirs, Baroque recorder ensemble, chamber orchestra. Drama: Taught from Year 7; GCSE, AS and A-level drama may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school and house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 14 take GCSE, 10 AS-level, 7 A-level. Textiles also offered.
Sport: Football, cricket, swimming, tennis, netball, hockey, rounders, basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, gymnastics, dance. Optional: aerobics, ballet, Irish dancing, tap, yoga. County representatives in hockey, netball; regular winners of county basketball cup. Activities: Pupils take bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh's Award, occasionally gold. Community service optional. Up to 30 clubs, eg astronomy, chess, bridge, English Speaking Union, debating, drama, trampolining, art, Amnesty, sports and music, Young Enterprise, Model United Nations, subject revision clubs.
Uniform: School uniform worn, dress code in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head girl and boy, elected by the school; house captains and prefects nominated by academic staff. Religion: Roman Catholic school. Compulsory weekly worship; Sunday mass for Catholic boarders. Social: Dances, discos, annual ball for seniors. Exchanges with Sacred Heart schools in Australia, USA, Canada, Austria, France, Spain. Pupils allowed to bring own car or bike to school. Meals self-service. School shop. Wine allowed for sixth formers at supervised formal functions only.
Order marks and merit marks. Detention for more serious of persistent offences. Suspension or expulsion in extreme cases.
Boarding for girls only. 30 have own study bedroom, others share with 1-2 others. Qualified nurse on call. Central dining room. Exeats at parents'/guardians' discretion. Visits to local town allowed.
Beechwood Former Pupils Association, run by Patricia Findley, Marketing Manager (Marketing@beechwood.org.uk)
Libby Purves (journalist); Baroness Cumberlege (Cumberlege Comission on the Catholic Church response to the Nolan Report), Pauline Gower (war-time aviator).
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