Bede's Prep School

[toffeemom]

Hello, we are looking to relocate to Eastbourne and wondered if anyone could share their experience of Bede's Prep School? My son has ADHD. The school looks amazing and I would love to hear what parents think of the pastoral care, curriculum, happiness of the children etc. Thanks!

Our two (boy and girl) went there for quite a few years until 2019; no direct experience of learning support, but frankly, in our opinion, we would have sent ours elsewhere if circumstances were different and there was more choice at the time. Don't fall for the marketing gloss and the location. I'm sure you'll get your money's worth in time and additional support anywhere else, but on the whole, from what we and others saw, the school seems only interested in deciding who it wants to support and then promotes the few for its over-zealous marketing campaign - which masks a lot. In our experience, the quality of teaching and equity came under question in our opinion (both my wife and I are teachers). There were aspects of bullying, favouritism and crafty marketing which we challenged but fell on deaf ears or hit a wall of silence. The individualised, child-centred nature of its claims don't work out in practice. All this belies the lovely prep school by the sea image. So don't be wooed by the spiel or anything at face value with Bede's Prep.

@Pip49 That’s really interesting. I am looking for a good sixth form with strong pastoral care. We are looking at Bedes. Is there any you could recommend pls?

Bede's Senior - not a place I'd heartily recommend. In our circle alone, we've had four leavers. They just couldn't stomach the bullying and the lack of support.

To us the place just feels like it's got a behaviour problem. They parade their star athletes around like they're saving the school single-handedly. I mean, kudos to those sporting gods, they're like gladiators in an arena where the lion is the school's reputation.

But then, as the universe seems to have a sense of humour, some parents sent theirs to Steiner Waldorf in Forest Row and another to BHASVIC in Brighton. Lo and behold, much better. I suppose it all comes down to what sort of education you're looking for.

My two cents on Brighton College and Eastbourne College. Brighton College, they're obsessive about academic results, and the culture is about as friendly as a pack of hungry wolves (I saw it myself on match days). Eastbourne College, on the other hand, is so self-regarding, they make Narcissus look modest. In my humble opinion, these colleges are pretty much arm in arm with Bede's on the walk of shame.

But best of luck to you! Don't let the smell of Pimms on a sunlit lawn or the sweet talk of marketing schmooze turn your head.

(Now, I should probably add a disclaimer here - all these opinions are just that - opinions. But they're our opinions, and we act on them).

I have two kids currently at Bede's (one prep, one senior) and do not recognise Pip49's description. @Londoncatshed, if you PM me I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have about the school.

@Pip49 wow, that is pretty damning. I have experience of sport being put above all
else with my older DS, so this is something that strikes a cord.
I am looking for a friendly, understanding sixth form maybe with the focus more on the arts than sports.
Academic success less important than DC’s happiness. I thought Bedes would be good for this.
Do you know of any sixth forms or colleges that you would recommend?

@Bleepbloopbluurp will do, thank you

@Londoncatshed - I completely understand others may not share the same perspective as ours. It's always beneficial to ask other parents but trust your own judgement and instinct when it comes to your child's education. As parents, we should be navigating clear, open waters, not dodging smoke and mirrors or burying experiences.

Thankfully our experience in education gives us the advantage of knowing what questions to ask. It's an advantage for any parent.

You certainly won't get a true picture on an open day or day visit. You might consider asking the school to provide concrete data, such as suspension rates, numbers of students leaving, and comprehensive exam statistics. Pay close attention to how they handle your request, it can be quite revealing.

Remember, you are the primary advocate for your child and your informed involvement is key to their success. Trust in your judgement and your instinct and keep asking the right questions. Best wishes.

St Andrew's Prep is also in Eastbourne and has a very good rep, good sporting facilities too, although I think Bede's used to have a better rep for supporting additional needs (but that was some time ago)

We have a child a Bede's Prep, about to move to the senior school and we're really happy. Their learning enhancement is excellent and I certainly haven't heard of any instances of bullying. In fact, they seem to come down hard on anything like that. I've found it to be a really happy school with an emphasis on wellbeing unlike Brighton College. I've also had a child at BHASVIC and it's excellent with great pastoral care even for such a big cohort.

We have recent experience of Bede's Senior and all I can say is that it is an odd school. I wouldn't put it in the same league as Brighton College. I think you're on the money in what you say about "marketing" @Pip49 and the public image being a far cry from the reality. We were shocked at hearing some of the behaviour and the widespread vaping (and other habits!!). I think they do try to control it, but overall it failed for us.

Our daughter went to Bede's Prep and is currently at the senior school in Upper Dicker. She loves it. It's been amazing for her re growing her confidence and supporting her. We looked at Eastbourne College but she didn't like it and refused to go, despite getting a place there. Bede's is a "kind" place - I've not heard of any bullying allowed - it's always stamped out immediately. The Senior School have been very supportive to us as a family when we had a troubled personal patch last year. Daily contact, calls, meetings and they got our daughter back on track. I can't fault them, although I have tried! In my experience, it's a community. I work with teens from many schools across the UK and when I hear some of the things that happen at their schools, I'm very happy to be at Bede's! If you want your child to be pushed academically to an inch of their life, regardless of the personal cost to the child, Bede's isn't for you. However, if you want them to flourish under a kinder, encouraging atmosphere, where expectations to do well academically are high but not at the cost of the child, then Bede's may be the choice you're looking for.

Glad to hear it worked out well for you all, truly. But a story of two very different schools then. One where there is so much support and kindness and solves everyone's problems, and another, of very different behaviour, bias and appearences, which leads to pupils having to leave or being taken out. I know which reality we (and others up to very, very recently) had to deal with. And regarding the prep - I'm curious why it's on a third headteacher in as many years. I know schools vary, and we all know that no school is perfect; young lives, teaching and learning are complex and messy. But the glossy claims coupled with the bias and oversights need to be accounted for, especially when young people are being played as pieces in what feels a big business campaign.

This is really worrying as we are looking at the sixth form for our DC.

@Pip49 I don't think Bede's solves everyone's problems at all. I can still find faul with Bede's but not major. My experience of schools (and I work with many teenagers up and down the country who are at secondary schools, although I don't work for any school nor employed by them) is that all schools lack something. Really sorry that you didn't find what you were looking for there. I know of 3 pupils who left for 6th form to go to BHASVIC school in Brighton after Bede's who made a rapid return to Bede's. That's nothing against BHASVIC but more that not every school is suitable for every child.

All I can say is my son attended this school please please listen marketing hype hides the horrors
no pastoral care abuse by teachers and a mental health nightmare do not listen or believe the brochure it’s not a good school

I honestly couldn't tell you about the school but I do know the mini bus drivers drive like arseholes cutting up other vehicles on roundabouts to push into the front of the queue daily as I watch them do it