Bede's
Bede's is a girls boarding and day school in East, Sussex, educating pupils aged 0 - 18 and founded in 1979. Boarding fees are £11,690 - £17,640 per term. Our advice on this school is independent and free.
- Type
- Girls boarding & day
- Boarders from
- 9 - 18
- Ethos
- Non-denominational
- Guardian required
- Yes
About Bede's
The story, ethos and character of Bede's.
- Setting
- Rural
- Ethos
- Non-denominational
- Head
- Mr Peter Goodyer
Bede's is a coeducational day and boarding school for 13-18 year olds based in rural Sussex in the South East of England. The Senior School has 820 pupils of which 345 live onsite in 5 stunning boarding houses, the School has a unique educational philosophy focused on educating the whole .
To do this, Bede's gives equal priority to academics, co-curricular activities and pastoral care, with its 100 acre campus including facilities such as a state-of-the-art sports complex and gym (including indoor swimming pool), dedicated cricket pavilion and oval, multi-award winning art school and modern science centre.
On the sporting front, the School runs year-round Academies in Cricket, Football, Hockey and Tennis and has coaching partnership arrangements with local sporting bodies including Sussex County Cricket Club and Brighton and Hove Football Club.
Unusually, Bede's offers a specialist strength and conditioning coach and is an attractive choice for elite players in these sports who can combine high level coaching in their chosen sport with academic studies. Bede's was recently recognised in The Week magazine as "best for sport" amongst UK independent schools, with the Good Schools Guide saying it had sporting facilities to "serve a small town".
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Academics at Bede's
What pupils study at Bede's — and where it takes them.
and then pupils study themed carrousels across different areas including creative subjects and humanities. We offer a one year Pre Sixth programme tailored for overseas pupils, with EAL at the heart. Pupils taking this course can study for 5 GCSEs during the year and then either return home or continue through to the Bede's Sixth Form.
GCSEs: We offer nearly 40 courses at GCSE and some BTECs in Years 10 and 11. Sixth Form Curriculum A levels Pre U BTEC option. Pupils can also study for the EPQ as part of the Bede's Diploma. Performing and creative arts Bede's has a vibrant performing arts scene attracting pupils from far and wide for the quality of its dance, music and drama.
Programmes offered
Subjects offered
Where our leavers go
View our destination of leavers: bedes. org/sixth-form/life-after-bedes/higher-education A University Snapshot and Russell Group Success One of the chief aims of any secondary school is to inspireeach and every Sixth Form student to move on to higher education with confidence. Bede's policy is for all students to take their time in choosing the most suitable undergraduate course for them.
Our committed team of Sixth Form tutors help, nurture, and guide their tutees every step of the way in this bespoke progression. We begin the application process in the Lower Sixth with a view to all students completing their UCASapplications by October half-term of the Upper Sixth.
There are, of course, slightly earlier deadlines for Oxbridge, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Dentistry. The Sixth Form enjoy a series of assemblies, talks and Futures Week during the Lower Sixth.
We take the entire Lower Sixth off-time tablefor a week in the summer term to prepare them for the rigorous university selection process. Bede's is a diverse and multi-talented school and this is reflected in the range of our applications and university outcomes.
There are a great many applications to Russell Group and Sutton Trust universities but, equally, there are applications to International universities, Art Foundation colleges, Dance, Drama and Music colleges and to conservatoires via UCAS. 92% of students gain places at their first choice university and they move on to study their favourite subjects at a wide range of interesting locations too.
Bede's celebrates every success on Results Day, from entry into an Oxbridge college, to gaining a at Exeter or Warwick, or gaining entry into the prestigious Rambert School of Dance. It is a pleasure to work with such talented and committed students, parents and staff and all of our Sixth Form leavers go on to be of great benefit to society.
Figures are indicative — contact us for the latest results.
Boarding at Bede's
Day-to-day boarding life and pastoral care at Bede's.
- Boarding houses
- Girls 2, Boys 3, Mixed 1
- Exeat weekends
- No
- Guardian required
- Yes
- Saturday lessons
- No
Boarding at our school Bede's has five boarding houses (three for boys and two for girls). Our two newest houses, built in 2012 were recognised by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors for Outstanding Design and Innovation and provide wondeful, modern environments in which to live and learn.
Work has begun on a new boys' boarding house. Across all our boarding houses, our aim is to provide nurturing environments, with an atmosphere which is homely and yet purposeful. Each house at Bede's is a physical space to work, relax and meet Personal Tutors.
A genuine home away from home
Bede's has five boarding houses (3 boys and 2 girls). Junior pupils share ground floor rooms between four or five. Senior pupils have either double or single rooms upstairs. See photos and videos on our website: https://www. bedes. org/senior/life-at-bedes/boarding Dorms House (Boys) Dorms House is our newest boarding house, having only opened in 2022 and is home to 70 boys.
All boys have either single or double rooms. Crossways House - 13-18 - Girls (Girls) Crossways House is our newest girls house and has won awards for design and architecture. It is next door to the boys house, Stud and is home to 65 girls. Juniors are in rooms of 3-5 downstairs and seniors are in single or double rooms upstairs.
We can arrange trusted UK guardianship for international families.
Bede's admissions
How children join Bede's, and how we make it simple.
Tell us about your child
Share their age, interests and what you're looking for. Our advice is completely free.
We shortlist & introduce
We match you to the right schools and make the introductions to their admissions teams.
Assessment, offer & enrolment
We guide you through entrance assessments and interviews, and handle visas and guardianship if needed.
What you'll typically need
- Recent school reports or transcript
- Passport copy
- English-language evidence (if applicable)
- Completed registration form
- A reference from the current school
At the Prep School (up to 13) we offer short stays for a minimum of one term. At the Senior School (13-18), the shortest stay duration is one year. Pupils at the Prep School can join throughout the year (subject to available places). At the Senior School, we would not usually accept pupils joining from Year 10 upwards after the first term.
Special notes to agents about entry to the school See our international pages on our website: https://www. bedes. org/admissions/overseas-admissions See our admissions pages with information about processes and documents: https://www. bedes.
As your advisors we manage the application end-to-end at no cost.
Bede's fees & funding
What Bede's costs, what's included, and how we help with funding.
What termly boarding fees include
- Tuition
- Boarding accommodation
- All meals
- Pastoral & house care
- Most academic materials
Funding & scholarships
Registration deposits, EAL tuition, uniform and trips are usually charged separately. Many schools offer academic, sport, music and art scholarships plus means-tested bursaries — ask us and we'll send a full, current breakdown for Bede's.
Fees change year to year and by entry point. As your independent advisors we hold up-to-date figures and can compare Bede's against similar schools so you know exactly what to budget.
Figures shown are the latest we hold — we'll confirm current fees on enquiry.
Bede's location & travel
Where Bede's is, and how to get there.
Travel details Address Upper Dicker, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 3QH, England Airport transfer Bede's has a travel co-ordinator who liaises with parents or agents to organise airport transfers. Wherever possible buses are arranged to transport pupils but if this is not possible due to unusual flight times then Bede's will organise an accredited taxi transfer.
Travel time to London by train Less than 2 hours Telephone + 44 (0)1323 843252 Website https://www. bedes. org/ Most convenient airports Airport Distance (miles) Drive time (minutes) 1. London Gatwick 44 53 2. London Heathrow 83 100 Most convenient train stations Station Distance (miles) Drive time (minutes) 1.
Inside Bede's
Bede's — frequently asked questions
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