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Bethany School ,伯瑟尼学校, Goudhurst, Cranbrook,
Kent TN17 1LB
Tel: 01580 211273 Fax: 01580 211151
Website: www.bethanyschool.org.uk
• CO-ED, 11–18, Day & Boarding (full & weekly)
• Pupils 340, Upper sixth 40
• Termly fees £3598 (Day), £5597 (Boarding) plus £380 dyslexia learning support supplement
• SHMIS, BSA
• Enquiries/application to the Registrar

What it’s like
Founded on its present site in 1866 by the Rev J J Kendon, a Baptist minister. Until 1948 it was run as a small school by members of the minister’s family. It remains a relatively small school with a family atmosphere and the chapel has an important role. Modern developments now provide good boarding and classroom facilities in an idyllic rural setting. A large staff allows a favourable staff:pupil ratio of about 1:9, so that there is a range of individual attention, both academic and pastoral, to be given. There is considerable commitment to drama, art and music. A wide variety of sports and games is provided and there are the usual extra-curricular activities. The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is popular and successful. The majority of pupils work on laptops across the curriculum, using computer-generated teaching materials and a wireless network.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Age range 11–18; 340 pupils, 200 day (150 boys, 50 girls) 140 boarding (110 boys, 30 girls).
Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 12, 13, 14 and 16. Common Entrance and own exam used; for sixth-form entry, 4 GCSEs at least grade C (including sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry 50% main intake (plus most new pupils in sixth form). Feeder schools include Bodiam, Dulwich College Prep, Marlborough House, The Mead, Yardley Court; local primary schools Brenchley, Goudhurst, Horsmonden Matfield.

Scholarships, bursaries & extras 14 pa scholarships, value 10% of day fee to 40% boarding fee (awarded at 11, 13 and 16): 6 academic, 2 sport, 2 art, 2 drama, 2 music. Variable number of bursaries, usually at 11, 13 and 16. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; maximum extras £250 (excluding trips abroad).

Parents 30+% live within 30 miles; up to 15% live overseas.

Head & staff
Headmaster: Nicholas Dorey, in post since 1997. Educated at Marlborough and Cambridge University (geography). Previously Deputy Headmaster at Birkdale, Housemaster at Giggleswick, Geography teacher at both King Henry VIII and Bradfield.
Teaching staff: 40 full time, 8 part time. Annual turnover 10%. Average age 41.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 50 pupils in Year 11; 84% gained at least grade C in 5+ subjects. Average GCSE score 46 (44 over 5 years).
A-levels: 40 in upper sixth. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 208.

University & college entrance 95% of 2003 sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course (30% after a gap year). 16% took courses in science, 25% in humanities & social sciences, 15% in art & design, 10% in drama, music and 33% in other vocational subjects (eg accountancy, business studies, marketing, agriculture etc). Others typically go on to non-degree courses or into family business.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels, vocational A-level (AVCE). 19 AS/A-level subjects, 1 AVCE (business).
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level (general studies not taken); or 1 AVCE plus 2–3 AS-level. 35% take science A-levels; 50% arts/humanities; 15% both. Key skills (ICT and communication) integrated into sixth-form courses.
Vocational: Work experience available; AVCE in business.
Special provision: Long-established dyslexia unit for pupils with good IQ.
Languages: French and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges to France.
ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (2 lessons/week) and right across the curriculum, eg computer projection enables interactive teaching. 40 computers for pupil use (12 hours a day), majority networked and with e-mail and internet access. All pupils from Year 8 and all staff have their own laptops. A wireless network with broadband internet connection covers the campus. All pupils take GCSE IT (short course).

The arts
Music: Up to 35% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups including orchestra, choir, steel band, brass, wind, string and rock school. Recording studio with digital equipment.
Drama: Drama offered to GCSE and A-level. Wide range of productions.
Art & design: On average, 65% take GCSE, 12% AS-level, 25% A-level. Design, pottery, textiles, photography also offered.

Sport & activities
Sport: Range of sports including rugby, cricket, cross-country, netball, hockey, swimming, rounders, badminton, basketball, football, dance, squash, volleyball, weight training. GCSE and A-level PE may be taken.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (some 12 pa gold); 80% of pupils are involved voluntarily. Community service optional (part of D of E). Up to 30 clubs, eg archery, art, chess, Christian Union, cookery, sailing, film, modern dance.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn, except in the sixth form where there are dress regulations.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head of school, head of house and house prefects appointed by Headmaster and housemasters/mistresses. School Council.
Religion: Compulsory religious worship.
Social: Discos, lectures, drama and choral events. Trips abroad for eg rugby, netball, history, art, skiing, Duke of Edinburgh, geography and geology. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school from Year 10. Meals self-service. School tuck shop. No tobacco allowed, some alcohol for sixth form only (in presence of staff).

Discipline Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect to be detained to complete it. Pupils involved with an illegal substance such as cannabis would face suspension as a minimum and return would be conditional on agreement to random testing. Pupils passing such substances on to other pupils would be expelled.

Boarding Upper sixth in single study bedrooms (en-suite) in separate house. Others in singles, doubles or some in dormitories of 4. Single-sex houses of 30–60, divided by age. Resident qualified nurses, doctor in village. Central dining room. Usually 2 exeats plus each Sunday, weekly boarding available. Weekend visits to town allowed. Sunday activities and outings for pupils who remain in school on Sunday,

Alumni association Old Bethanians Society, c/o the school.

Former pupil Lord Stamp.