Beachborough School A GSG School

What The Good Schools Guide says

Head

Since September 2023, Simone Mitchell. Previously head of Swanbourne House School. Trained as English teacher at Exeter University, followed by a master’s in educational leadership at University of Buckingham, where she has been an external tutor and lectured on their PGCE courses. Head says she was attracted by the family feel and warmth of Beachborough as well as its commitment to growth mindset and the fact that as a stand-alone prep it has autonomy. She sees her remit as being ‘evolutionary not revolutionary’ and the role of the school is to ’move forward or fall behind’. Her vision includes a sharper focus on STEM and the digital curriculum and she’s quick off the block – school will become a Microsoft Showcase school in September 2024 and all staff are getting skilled up.

Head is friendly, kind and well liked by parents, who see her as ‘a quiet force for good’ and not a showman but rather ‘a woman of integrity and action’. Another said, ‘I love the rapport she has with the children. She genuinely knows and cares about each child.’ Parents mentioned how well she works with the deputy head and that their contrasting, complementary personalities and skill sets make for fantastic teamwork.

In her free time she likes to travel – this year to Morocco – and is a keen reader (she was an English teacher, after all), currently Spies by Michael Frayn. She is learning the piano and sings in choirs. Lives with her husband on site and has two grown-up sons aged 18 and 20.

Entrance

Nursery from age 2 and kindergarten from 4. After registering, families visit and meet the head. No formal assessment but child comes in for a taster day. Nearly all go on to reception (another entry point but students also join in years 3, 4, 5 and 7). From reception up, there’s gentle testing including a writing task. At each entry point school assesses learning needs and decide if they’re able support these. Weekly boarding from year 3, Monday to Thursday, apart from occasional Friday night boarding parties called ‘specials’. In nursery to year 4 it’s two forms and three-form entry in years 4-8.

Exit

Two main feeds – 30 per cent to Stowe and 30 per cent to Bloxham. The rest scatter to a range of indies in about an hour and a half radius, including Rugby, Oundle, Headington, Oxford High, St Edwards, Uppingham, Millfield, Akeley Wood, Marlborough and Tudor Hall. A few to Bucks grammars most years. Consistently a good haul of scholarships; in 2024 there were 22 scholarships and exhibitions for sport, drama, dance, tech, art and academic.

Our view

Located in an idyllic country setting on the edge of Westbury village yet only 30 minutes or less from Bicester, Banbury, Oxford, Milton Keynes and Northampton, and families mostly come from within this radius. School was founded in 1910 in Surrey before a move to Beachborough Park in Kent where school got its name. In WWII, MOD requisitioned the building and school moved to Hampshire before settling in its fourth and current location.

The elegant Edwardian main building, Manor House, is the beating heart of the school. Spacious reception is currently on the shabbier side of chic, but we’re told it’s being decorated over the summer to match head’s adjoining study with stylish neutral furniture and sage green walls (although Farrow and Ball named it Vanilla). As well as school reception and head’s study, the prep students are housed in Manor House, which is also how they are referred to. Boarding facilities are on the top floor.

Manor House looks out to an impressive 35 acres of land and gosh they use it well – we found outdoor learning at its finest. As well as lawns and sports fields, there are woodlands and a wetlands area with the Great River Ouse as a natural resource to study. Year 7 were studying the ecosystems and assessing water quality as part of long-term field research (and it’s good news – water quality is improving). There’s forest school and outdoor classrooms, as well as a wooden adventure playground and separate garden for nursery, kindergarten and pre-prep. Nursery to pre-prep wear practical blue boiler suit which parents call ‘an absolute lifesaver’ for all outdoor activity although style-conscious older students can (and do) choose not to.

On our visit year 8 science students (off timetable after CE exams and living their best lives) were setting off water rockets on the front lawn with shrieks of delight. In the afternoon year 3 were sketching the school in the sunshine. Many parents pick the school for its outdoorsy ethos. One said, ‘I love the fact they’re outside exploring, learning differently and appreciating nature. Suited and booted, they’re ready for anything – it’s magical.’

Nursery, kindergarten and pre-prep are taught in surrounding purpose-built buildings, called the Boardman after a previous head (which is also how lower school is referred to). Modern classrooms have various learning zones, including cosy, quiet reading areas and central spaces for free flow, as well as year group teaching. ACE (active, creative and exploratory) is the play-based approach and we found hugely passionate and knowledgeable teachers. A parent said, ‘We visited the school, chatted to the phenomenal staff and knew we wouldn’t find better.’ Another said, ‘We loved how integrated lower school is. They see the older pupils, have some specialist teachers and use the amazing facilities which accelerates progress academically but also personally. Most of all, they have so much fun, they don’t realise they’re learning.’

Years 3 and 4 are housed separately next to the Boardman but take some of their lessons in Manor House and are streamed in English, maths and subtly in science to prepare for prep. Even so, we’re told the transition can be a big step. One parent said, ‘Things ramp up massively and it can feel a shock and be a challenge for the less confident, the less competitive.’ Another parent said, ‘Lower school is heavenly but in prep the opportunities are amazing. Their world opens.’

In September 2024 Beachborough was awarded Microsoft Showcase School status. Technology is used creatively in teaching from the word go and skills build in sophistication and access through the year groups. Years 7 and 8 now have their own personal devices.

Design, technology and science here are spectacular. The light-filled TED centre built in 2017 gives high-end modernist gallery vibes. Sleek architecture in glass and steel house a DT workshop, CAD suite and workspaces/stations. Students use laser cutters, 3D printers, a vacuum-former and other high-tech kit you might expect in senior school. CTI (creative, tech, innovation) days have a theme, recently bicycles, and local schools join in. This year a pro BMX biker tested a bike by jumping over teachers lying on the Astro – jeopardy adding to the fun, by all accounts. For a space themed day, they designed and built Mars Rover buggies.

All projects are designed to be sustainable, beautiful and useful, using discarded wood and biodegradable plastics. Boardman children have made bird feeders, board games and electric lights with recycled wood bases, while Manor House had made pizza cutters, clocks, and table-tennis bats (used to compete on various tables gifted from parents). They even made an amplifying system from a Pringles can (a hardship eating them first). A teacher told us, ‘We want to teach students to respect the environment and be globally aware but also treasure, appreciate and use the things they make so they don’t become landfill.’ Galvanised students glow when demonstrating their work.

It doesn’t end there. There’s a robotics team and co-curricular racing team club which build and race a champion Goblins racing car. Connections with industry, including local Silverstone, are prized and school are hoping to join the F1 in Schools programme. In Goblin Car Club pupils in years 5 and 6 design, build, wire and rewire, market and race the electric car and there’s e-sports for keen gamers. Beachborough won four tech scholarships in 2023 and a tech exhibition in 2024. Little wonder it’s a favourite subject for many pupils.

Academically broad church, though still above national average. One parent said, ’It’s not a hothouse but there are lots of ways to excel and find passions – literally everybody tries everything.’ A scholarship group in year 7 stretches clever clogs. There are 75 pupils on the SEN register and two have an EHCP. School is innovative in how it caters for a range of learning challenges which they call ‘waves of provision’. Parents tell us support has improved over the last few years and is now brilliant. One said, ‘There’s tailored plans, up-to-date training with staff and great coms. The lead teacher is superb.’ Three full-time and three part-time learning support assistants provide small-group sessions (students drop a language) or provide individual support in class at no extra cost. Teacher assessments and CAT testing from year 1 help monitor, and data is shared with parents. A full-time counsellor is available, and Arnie is the wellbeing dog. Wheelchair access to most of site.

Flamboyant art is displayed throughout school, especially in Manor House where the teacher said, ‘Every wall is a gallery opportunity. Children love to see their work.’ Two art studios showcase work inspired by artists such as Matisse and Van Gogh. Movements like Arts and Crafts are explored in a broad range of materials as well as digital media.

A dedicated theatre/rehearsal space for drama where productions are put on in year groups – a musical for year 6, Shakespeare for year 7 and a leavers’ showcase for year 8. One parent thought it a shame there are not bigger whole-school productions, saying, ‘It could really bring the school together.’

In music, as well as private tuition, there’s a range of choirs, bands and ensembles plus a music technology suite. Two big school concerts a year and an international choir tour – this year Belgium.

The shields and swords displayed in history were used for an enactment of the Battle of Hastings on the lawn which a pupil told us was the ‘best day ever. So memorable!’ We also enjoyed the large and vibrant Japan display – the theme of an enrichment week where it’s cross-curricular, off timetable and full immersion in creative, collaborative projects.

In sport, rugby and hockey top the board. School has a partnership with Northampton Saints rugby club who coach students and the best players try out for the Saints’ junior academy. Netball is popular and courts have been newly resurfaced, and it’s mixed teams for cricket. There’s a large AstroTurf and a senior school size sports hall for badminton, PE, gymnastics, basketball, indoor football and hockey (also a wet-weather hangout and used for co-curricular clubs such as judo and karate). A parent said, ‘The A team is competitive but other teams are rotated so everyone has a go.’ Beachborough hosts two annual cross-country runs, including one for local primary schools. No swimming pool but all year groups swim at Brackley pool and there’s a competitive elite swim squad, Sharks.

Prep pupils are put into one of the four ‘clubs’ (aka houses) but siblings are not allocated the same house, which parents tell us ensures banter goes home. There are a lot of fun in-house competitions and everybody waves banners, chants and gets involved.

Food is good – locally sourced and healthy (except for Beachborough special Mars bar mousse, perhaps?). One parent said her ‘bottomless pit’ child would like more. NB: snacks are called ghabs. School day doesn’t finish until 5.05pm for year 5 and above but there’s free wraparound care until 6pm – a good time to join a club, run around the grounds or get some extra help. The year 8 hangout space on the top floor is interactive – school has a no mobile phone policy.

Boarders

Kites (after the birds that swoop past dorm windows) is the universally praised and popular top-floor weekly boarding house which accommodates some 50-60 children (from year 3 up) a night. Pupils are keen to stay over at least one night and most do two or three. Unique that the large dorms are decorated (and about to be redecorated) by a range of senior schools, such as Bloxham, Stowe and Tudor Hall. After dinner, lucky pupils can choose from activities like zorbing, glow in the dark dodgeball, goggle football, and riding buggies and scooters across the grounds. There’s a library, games room, chill-out sofas and it’s toasties before bed. No international boarders as boarding is Monday to Thursday only (apart from a few ‘insanely fun’ Friday specials).

Money matters

Means-tested bursaries of up to 100 percent available from year 3.

The last word

Schools don’t always live up to their slick marketing but you can’t say that about Beachborough. A co-ed, mixed-ability prep school with fantastic weekly boarding, it delivers a quality education and much besides. With its 35 acres of land, access to wetland and woodland, passionate staff make the most of learning in and about the great outdoors. Early years learn through nurturing exploration and play while confident, friendly older pupils jump at the many opportunities in academia, sport and the arts. Future Steve Jobs or Terence Conrans take note: Beachborough is striding ahead in tech and product design.

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