Nestling between glorious coastline and the beautiful Norfolk countryside, Beeston Hall School occupies a unique place amongst independent schools in Norfolk and a national reputation in the pantheon of stand-alone boarding prep schools. It one of the most distinguished private schools in Norfolk, steeped in history – it has been going since 1948 and became a co-educational school in 1971 – but firmly placed in the 21st century with an innovative and forwarding-thinking approach to education. With a clear policy of inclusion, Beeston serves a diverse range of children, near and far, with a determination to be fully engaged in the local community. Partnerships and schemes, such as with the Scouts and Brownies, or cluster group sports festivals, enable many to make use of Beeston’s resources.
From our picturesque North Norfolk location near Cromer, Beeston Hall School provides an exceptional learning environment. The educational opportunities that our children have on offer, and are encouraged towards, enrich them in many ways and mean that there are outstanding outcomes in terms of each child’s personal development. The aims and ethos of the school form a foundation of supportive pastoral care, in an energetic and dynamic community.
At Beeston, teamwork and collaborative activities, in a range of environments, foster resilience, humour and determination in equal measure. As well as this, we promote leadership and competition in an atmosphere where routines and structures are balanced with the informality of an over-grown family. The key principle of Beeston is to ensure children are happy; enjoyment of school leads to greater confidence and, through this, greater achievement.
Ties to the school amongst the alumni (Old Beestonians) and the local community are close, with with Beeston being the school of choice for second or thirs generations. A modest fund supports means-tested bursaries, which allows for greater accessibility. Our overseas students come from across the globe, as far as Japan, China and Kazakhstan. We remain the first choice in East Anglia for the major county locations such as; Aylsham, West Runton, Sheringham, East Runton, Fakenham, Dereham, East Rudham, Brancaster, Hunstanton, Wells-next-the-Sea, Holkham, Burnham Market, Downham, Reepham, North Walsham, Norwich, Dersingham and Holt to name but a few.
The majority of children who leave Beeston at the end of Year 8 do so as successful all-rounders, with an excellent balance of humility and confidence. All possess a natural thirst for learning which helps towards the outstanding scholarship record, with over 65% in the last two years achieved by leavers. Beeston children go on to a wider range of notable UK independent (or public) schools such as: Ampleforth, Downe House, Eton, Framlingham, Gresham’s, Harrow, Norwich School and Norwich High School, Oakham, Oundle, Stowe, Shrewsbury, Tudor Hall, Uppingham and Wymondham College.
A further principle of Beeston is to extend childhood and ensure that there is no headlong rush to adulthood. There is a focus on outdoor education, with many lessons making use of the 35 acres of green space, including several acres of woodland and the local seashore. Children are supported but also encouraged to be trusting and trusted, with freedom to take risks and fail – on the principle that it is through trying and failing that the best learning takes place, providing there are sturdy support systems in place. There are countless opportunities to develop individual talents in music, art, sports, languages, design and technology. Children are encouraged to attend events and regional competitions and travel widely for these. Recently completed overseas school trips have been to Barcelona and Normandy.
An educational quality and focused compliance inspection in March 2017 judged the school ‘excellent in all categories’. The following are direct quotations from it:
- ‘pupils’ attitude to work are outstanding’;
- ‘results in Common Entrance exams are consistently high and a large majority of pupils gain awards and scholarships because staff have a secure understanding of the preparation required’;
- ‘many awards reflect pupils’ exceptional achievements in areas such as sport, music, art and drama’:
- ‘pupils show outstanding social skills and are highly respectful of other people’
- ‘pupils can apply their outstanding numeracy skills effectively across a range of subjects’
- ‘standards of behaviours are extremely high and pupils are notably polite and well-mannered’
If you are looking for flexible learning in a co-educational independent school, with full and weekly boarding options (including some flexi), then Beeston Hall could be the right choice. There is a broad base of entry and we are very proud of the way we add value.
Why not join us for an Open Morning and see how proud our teachers, parents and pupils are of their school? Alternatively, you could arrange an individual visit and tour the school as well as meeting the Headmaster and his wife.
