Age range. Co-educational 4–13 years.
Number of pupils. 176: 32 Full Boarding, 30 Flexi, 144 Day Pupils; 83 Boys, 93 Girls.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Boarding: £9,276 (Year 3), £12,269 (Years 4–8); Day Pupils: £4,602 (Pre-Prep), £6,308 (Year 3), £9,193 (Years 4–8). Fees include VAT.
Beeston Hall was established in 1948 in a Regency house set in 30 acres in North Norfolk, close to the sea and surrounded by 700 acres of National Trust land. The Beeston Brief outlines the core values of purpose, resilience and empathy which underpin a small school with a family atmosphere, which is true to its motto of floreat fiducia – let confidence flourish.
The scale, and strength, of the pastoral care system ensures that every child is closely watched over and cared for. Beeston has a boarding ethos, the majority full, with weekly or flexi for younger ones, or those progressing towards boarding; most children experience boarding before they leave. Relatively non-selective, Beeston is very proud of the value-added in children’s development. Recent destinations have been: Ampleforth, Eton, Downe House, Framlingham, Gresham’s, Harrow, The Leys Cambridge, Oakham, Oundle, Queen Margaret’s York, Norwich School, Norwich High School for Girls, Radley, Repton, Rugby, Shrewsbury, Stowe, Tudor Hall, Uppingham and Wycombe Abbey. The school enjoys great success at scholarship level, with an average of over 60% of leavers winning awards in the last 6 years.
In addition to the usual examinable subjects, art, music, DT, computing, PHSEE, reasoning and theatre studies are all timetabled, providing children with a wealth of opportunities to find activities in which they can excel. Qualified EAL staff support overseas pupils with a minimum of 90 minutes per week and the Learning Support department is holistic in approach, responding to academic, social and emotional needs which are swiftly identified and acted upon.
Every child takes part in at least one production each year, with an emphasis on developing confidence through participation and presentation. Four choirs and twelve music groups meet each week and 88% of the school learn a musical instrument. The school is equally proud of its record on the sports field where all children are coached, regardless of ability, by a dedicated team of staff, and are given the opportunity to represent the school. In 2016, cricket was introduced for girls, several of whom are county players. The 2023 cohort of boys were county champions for 3 years running and national finalists in the 2021 ESCA competition. Hockey is strong, with both boys’ and girls’ teams regularly reaching IAPS regional and national stages. In addition to the usual major sports, children compete in cross country, athletics, swimming, tennis, surfing and sailing (IAPS champions in 2019), while a comprehensive activities programme provides opportunities to suit all tastes: shooting, roller-skating, skiing, metal-detecting, chess, cooking or scuba, to name a few. Forest School is a timetabled part of the week for Year 5 and below.
The 2024 ISI Inspection Report comments: “Pupils live out the school’s values, such as to aim high and to be adventurous. These values contribute well to their success. Trustees and the LAG collaborate with school leaders in development plans, offering support and strategic guidance. Robust academic assessments and effective teaching support pupils’ good progress, including for pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).The plentiful open spaces in the school grounds, and the nearby coastline, offer pupils a chance to be spiritually reflective and to find quiet and peacefulness in their busy, everyday educational experiences. Pupils accept responsibility. This guides them in their behaviour around school and in their interactions with each other. Pupils are happy and feel safe at school. They build self-confidence in an atmosphere of mutual support and collaboration.”
Religious denomination. Mainly Church of England; 15% Roman Catholic.
Charitable status. Beeston Hall School is part of the Prep Schools Trust, which is a Registered Charity, number 309639. It exists to provide preparatory education for boarding and day boys and girls.