WHAT? WHERE?

Bede's Prep Eastbourne Sussex aerial view

An urban school with glorious sea views, Bede’s Prep School is a co-ed day and boarding Prep and Nursery for ages 3mth to 13yrs. It occupies a prime location, perched on a hill, at the posh end of Eastbourne – the seafront location is its super power, offering unique beachy activities, alongside the more familiar sporty, arty and academic.

Bede's Prep School Eastbourne Sussex PUPILS ON BEACH

It’s an unusual and deceptively large site. Dating back to 1902, the Prep’s attractive five-storey mock Tudor building presides over a cluster of newer additions, an enormous Astro/playground, sports hall and playing fields (just five minutes’ away). Staring out of the window is turned into an art form, with lots of enormous sea-gazing windows for staff, pupils and visitors to enjoy a Bede’s dose of vitamin sea.

Bede’s Prep School is part of St Bede’s School Trust which includes the Nursery, Pre-Prep, Prep and Senior Schools, as well as the Legat School of Dance and Summer School.

FACILITIES

Sport

Bede's Prep School Eastbourne Sussex astro football pitch

Plenty to rave about. A large sports hall, enormous Astro, swimming pool and there are four fab pitches on the headland. Wednesday afternoon matches take place on the Senior School playing fields which certainly have the wow factor. Sport falls into three categories at both the Prep and Senior Schools: Core (cricket, hockey, football), Competitive (netball, swimming, tennis) and Support. 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 Prep School Eastbourne Sussex swimming pool

The list is endless. The goal here is not to bring home the silver (although there’s plenty to polish). Win or lose, Bede’s wants its pupils to learn teamwork, respect, enjoyment, humility, discipline and leadership. Fair play (literally). Teams can be girls, boys or mixed.

Creative arts

ST BEDES PREP SCHOOL drama performance of hoodwinked

Dance and drama are both very impressive and there’s a lovely theatre/ performance space. Year groups pair up to put on an annual show and the leavers’ extravaganza is legendary. You don’t need to be an aspiring Eddie Redmayne or Florence Pugh, stage lighting, music, props and makeup give everyone the chance to shine.

Have an aspiring dancer? Pirouette this way because Dance is big business here. Bede’s is home to the prestigious Legat Dance Academy, based at Bede’s Senior School. All pupils do dance up to Y4 in the Prep’s lovely studio (loved the tap class I witnessed) and many continue. From Y6, dancers can audition for the Legat Dance Programme, where they attend weekly classes – trained by world class professionals in ballet, contemporary and creative. From Y3, dancers can audition for the Associates Programme and attend Saturday classes.

Bede's Prep School Eastbourne Sussex PUPIL PLAYING DRUMS

Music has a relatively new director who is hitting the high notes. Plenty for kids to sink their teeth into: orchestra, jazz ensembles, swing band, drums, chapel choir and singing. In fact, half the school sings in the choir, which is pretty impressive.

LITTLIES

A new Pre-Prep pirate ship adventure playgrounds opened the day I visited, and judging by the squeals of joy emanating over the fence, it has gone down a storm. Early Years is a gentle space with lots of play and topic-based learning, but Beach School and Forest School are the highlights.

Bede’s also boasts an on-site nursery, taking children from 3 months old and it’s open 51 weeks of the year. The Bede’s youngest cohort have their own dedicated space but can make use of the Prep facilities, beach and green spaces. It’s a lovely setting and a game changing for working parents. Pop them in at 3 months and before you know they’ll pop out the other side, aged 18.

ACADEMICS

As a non-selective school, the emphasis here is on producing happy all-rounders, but it’s no slouch academically. The SEND department is excellent, supporting children with specific and ad hoc needs. Bear in mind, there’s an additional charge, but the difference it makes will justify the spend.

The vast majority of pupils (90%) head up to Upper Dicker to the Senior School avoiding the stress of 13+ exams. Anyone seeking places elsewhere are supported and prepared fully for exams and interviews.

Lessons are anything but dull. They can be loud, fun and creative. Whether the kids are re-enacting battles or imagining life on Mars and designing a spaceship, the teachers’ lessons are creative and engaging. Lots of plans for STEM with VR, coding and robotics workshops on offer, using Lego Education and Lego WeDo.

Entry is through a taster day, with informal assessments in maths, reading, writing and non-verbal reasoning – to determine if and what learning support a child needs and identify pupils with high academic potential. Bede’s wears its non-selective status as a badge of honour – proud of its reputation for eking out the best in every child.

PASTORAL CARE

Pastoral care is Bede’s strong suit. It’s known locally for being a caring and nurturing school – striking the right balance between academic rigour and wellbeing. It’s a happy school, kids love the choice, opportunities and that they get to be themselves… without judgement.

It’s worth noting, all staff are being trained in Mental Health First Aid – a necessity these days with many children coming from hot house schools suffering from anxiety. The school counsellor is a superb asset, running ‘chill and chat’ drop-in sessions at break times.

BOARDING

Boarding is currently unavailable while its boarding house Meads End is renovated. The work should be completed by September 2024.

Pupils can board from Y5 but the majority are in Y7 and Y8, offering weekly and full boarding. It’s popular for London families and international students. It’s homely, as a prep boarding facility should be, and prepares them well for senior boarding school, if that’s the route they’re taking.

Weekends are fun and there’s plenty of opportunities to call home.

THE HEAD

ST BEDES PREP SCHOOL HEAD LEIGH ANN MORRIS

Leigh-Anne Morris is new to the head hotseat, having taken up her post in January 2023, but a familiar face to the staff, pupils and existing parents. She joined Bede’s Prep in 2016 as Director of Studies, then Deputy Head Academic in 2019. Her knowledge of the school, its values and ethos is second to none, giving her the confidence to hit the ground running in her new role.

Don’t expect revolution from Morris, but definitely evolution. She has been working closely with Senior School head Peter Goodyer to create a cast iron link between the two schools. Different key stages, different sites but on the same educational pathway with shared visions. It makes sense when you consider 30% of the Y9 intake come from the Bede’s Prep.

Morris talks enthusiastically about the ‘festival of opportunities’. She plans to improve STEAM, is big on character-based learning and is very open to adopting new teaching methods. More focussed on happy kids, league tables don’t occupy her every waking moment. You’ll find her dishing out awards for the four Cs – compassion, courage, curiosity and conscientiousness, than acing a maths test on repeat. She’s warm, charming and wants the best for every single pupil – including her own.

QUIRKS

It’s 700m from the sea! Unsurprisingly Bede’s makes the most of this gift with Beach School. Younger pupils explore the pebbly coastline, older pupils and boarders kayak and paddle board. It’s a unique and lovely asset to have.

Need some showbiz alumni to seal the deal? How about comedian Eddie Izzard and actor Nicky Henson (he was in Fawlty Towers), as well as a number of professional cricketers including one of England’s most successful female players.

It played a crucial role in the WW2, when the pupils were evacuated and the building used for the training of over 2,000 code-breakers.

WRAP-AROUND CARE

The school day starts at 8.25am, but if you need to be at your desk (or yoga class) early, a Breakfast Club runs from 7.45am. From Reception to Y2, the day ends at 3.50pm, with Y3-Y8 finishing a little later at either 5.20pm or 4.20pm (Wednesdays and Friday).

The co-curricular programme is extensive with more than 60 activities to choose from. From Y3 most kids stay at least three afternoons a week, plus matches on Wednesdays. Every six weeks the children are encouraged to change things up and try something new.

ISI REPORT

Inspectors last had a nose in 2018 and 2019, the word outstanding is used often, noting how happy, confident and curious the children are. Read the latest ISI reports here.

MOBILE PHONE POLICY

Mobile phones are not permitted during the school day. Boarders may use their mobile phone when they’re free (primarily to call home) and there’s a landline in the house to use at any time. All phones are collected before bedtime to make sure boarders all get a good night’s sleep.

TRANSPORT

Your school run prayers have been answered. Bede’s fleet of 35 buses is one of the largest in the UK. Routes are regularly reviewed to ensure everyone is accommodated. London weekly boarders are shuttled to and from Eastbourne train station and escorted to London Victoria.

FEES

Average for the area. Reception-Y2 £3,835 per term; Y3-Y4 £5,550; Y5-Y6 £6,500; Y7-Y8: £6,790. Boarding is available from Y5 which adds an additional £3,230 per term. Nursery fees vary depend on the number of sessions.

WORD ON THE GROUND

Often described as an unusual school that’s child focussed but walks the walk and talk the talk when it comes to individuality. Pupils are encouraged to pursue their strengths and talents. No cookie cutter kids to be found here. Sport is excellent. One mum said she felt the Prep School was more homely than the slicker Senior School, but for many that is its appeal for children at this age. Links between the Prep and Senior School have improved a lot, so things are a bit more joined up.

The pupils I spoke to raved about the sport, love the amount of choice, opportunities and described it as a ‘wonderful school’.

ST BEDES PREP SCHOOL GIRL AT BEACH SCHOOL

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: Kids who want to throw themselves into every aspect of school life, embracing the academic and extra-curricular opportunities on offer. Every child matters at Bede’s and it has a warm, family-feel where each child is recognised, nurtured and celebrated.

Not for: Parents who want a quiet country setting with colonnaded courtyards and grand halls, or those looking for purely an academic hothouse.

See for yourself: The next Prep School and Nursery Open Mornings are on Sat 7 Oct 2023.The Senior School Open Day is on Sat 30 Sep 2023

You can read Bede’s Senior School review here.

Bede’s Prep School, Dukes Dr, Eastbourne BN20 7XL. Tel 1323 734222.

Bede’s Prep School, Eastbourne

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