Bede’s Senior School

Address: Upper Dicker, Hailsham, East Sussex BN27 3QH
Website: bedes.org
Founded: 1978
Number of Pupils: 832 (60% boys 40% girls)
Fees: Termly Tuition Fees 2024/25 (Day Fees): £9,310. In addition to the Tuition Fees (Day Fees) the following Termly supplements also apply:

Day Boarding Supplement: £260
Pre-Sixth / Sixth Form Supplement: £95
Legat: £320
Weekly Boarding Supplement: £4,410
Full Boarding Supplement: £5,270

The Curriculum

Forty subjects are offered at GCSE including Mathematics, Science and English (compulsary) as well as potential optional courses including: Art and Design, Business Studies, Dance, Design & Technology, Drama, Geography, History, Home Economics, Information Technology, Latin and Greek, Media Studies, Modern Languages (French, Spanish, German), Music, Performing Arts (Dance), Physical Education, Religious Studies, Science (Triple Award), Science (Double Award), Science (Single Award). Some IGCSEs are also offered along with some short-course GCSEs. A Pre-Sixth course is offered for those who need a year of intensive English before embarking on an A Level course. In the Sixth Form there are 25 different courses ranging from Cambridge Pre-Us and traditional A-levels to vocational courses such as Animal Management. BTECs are offered in a range of subjects.

Co-curricular Programme Including Games

The extensive programme includes the many sporting and games playing opportunities open to students, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, numerous outdoor pursuits and a daily programme of activities within the fields of Art, Drama, Music, Journalism, Science, Technology, Engineering and Social Service. There are currently over 14 Club Activities running each week and an average daily choice from 40 options. Games and Sports include Aerobics, Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Canoeing, Climbing, Cricket, Cross-Country, Fishing, Football, Golf (the School has its own practice course), Hockey, Dance, Netball, Orienteering, Photography, Riding, Rounders, Rugby, Squash, Swimming, Target Rifle Shooting, Tennis and Volleyball. Bede’s has a fine sporting reputation with students past and present representing their country at cricket, football, rugby, hockey, athletics and showjumping. The Emerging Talent Programme brings together pupils across different sports who have potential to become professional sports people and provides training in areas such as nutrition, sports psychology and media handling.

Pastoral Care

An appropriately selected tutor provides a mentor for each student during their time at the School. These tutors are responsible for ensuring that each student’s academic and social well-being is carefully looked after. Tutors act in liaison with Housemasters and Housemistresses and are readily available for discussions with parents. All parents have several formal opportunities each year to meet those who teach or otherwise look after their sons or daughters

University Places

Over three quarters of pupils achieve their first choice of university places. Other pupils go on to music, drama and dance colleges. A considerable number move on to art college.

Head Teacher’s Philosophy

‘We are ambitious for our pupils, inspiring a self-belief that empowers them and stimulates their natural curiosity. Their enriched learning experience increases their appetite to achieve more because they expect more.’

Outstanding Characteristics

Beautiful 100-acre Sussex campus. Exceptional coaching and sports facilities including swimming pool, squash courts, fitness centre, cricket pavilion and water-based astro. Outstanding art department. State-of-the-art boarding facilities. Over 40 drama and musical performances each year. Staff student ratio of 1:7. In the top four per cent of schools nationally for value added at A-level.