Address: Bede’s Prep School, Duke’s Drive, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN20 7XL
Website: bedes.org
Founded: 1895
Number of Pupils: 336: Prep 218, Pre-Prep 36, Nursery 82, Boarders: 18
Fees per term (2022-2023): Boarding £2,990 (in addition to Tuition); Tuition: Prep £5,130–£6,390, Pre-Prep £3,660 (Reception, Years 1 & 2). Nursery prices per session.
Ages: 3 months–13 years
Head Teacher: Mrs Leigh-Anne Morris
Religious Affiliation: Non-denominational
Entrance Procedure: Non-selective, interview with headmaster.
Contact: 01323 734222
Email: [email protected]
School Visits: Open Days: 4 March 2023

The Curriculum

Bede’s bespoke and enhanced curriculum focuses upon skills as much as content and encourages curiosity, self-reliance, self-belief and the confidence to ‘have a go’. We see our job as helping our children to discover their talents and to build upon them. Bede’s offers academic, sport, music, dance, art and drama scholarships and bursaries for children from the ages of 7 to 12 years.

Games & The Arts

Bede’s operates a comprehensive programme of co-curricular activities. Drama forms an integral part of the school. The Pre-Prep produces a Christmas play and there are frequent productions throughout the year for older children to take part in. Sport at Bede’s is taken seriously. Boys play soccer, rugby, hockey, cricket, tennis and athletics and the major sports for girls are netball, hockey, rounders, athletics, cricket and tennis. All the pupils use the indoor 20-metre swimming pool. The fixture list is very comprehensive and, whilst the top teams enjoy a high standard of coaching and performance, special emphasis is placed on ensuring that the other teams also have the opportunity to play matches against other schools. The Sports Hall covers two indoor tennis courts and is used to house a huge variety of sports. Wet weather activities include badminton, basketball, climbing and table tennis. Children also regularly use facilities at the Senior School nearby. Cricket and team sports are also played at the ‘Hollow’ playing fields next to the school at the foot of the South Downs National Park and with stunning views of the coastline and Eastbourne beyond. The Prep School also has a new astro court for hockey, cricket and other sports.

Pastoral Care

For boarders, home is a beautiful Victorian villa overlooking the sea. Matron and her team look after the needs of the children, and teachers and tutors are always there to help with any problems.

Head Teacher’s Philosophy

‘I am very proud that Bede’s is a school that encourages children of all talents to pursue their goals. We believe that education begins with the individual and that all children are unique.’

Outstanding Characteristics

Bede’s is one of the largest prep schools in Sussex and is blessed with a stunning location on the seafront at Eastbourne. The site has outstanding
facilities including sports centre, swimming pool, outstanding sports coaching and purpose built nursery and pre-prep. At 13 most children move on to Bede’s Senior School, eight miles away and set in 100 acres of rolling Sussex countryside.