Bethany School
An Independent Co-educational Day and Boarding School for ages 11 to 18, 420+ pupils, County of Kent
About the School
Bethany School was founded by The Reverend Joseph Kendon in 1866. He was a man of great vision and faith who intended Bethany to be a community where each student would be treated as an individual and encouraged to reach their true potential in all areas of life. Today, the School is still true to its roots and gives a high standard of personal care and encouragement to all students within the setting of a Christian community. Bethany is a strong, thriving school set in a beautiful 60 acre site in the heart of the Weald of Kent. Recent years have seen an enviable building programme and boarding and day numbers are flourishing. However, the Governors are committed to maintaining the benefits which stem from being a relatively small independent school.
Admissions
Most students join Bethany in September but entry in January or April is possible subject to availability of places. Main years of entry are Years 7, 9 and Lower Sixth. Entry into Years 8 and 10 is possible, again subject to availability of places. Bethany School do not admit students into Year 11 or Upper Sixth.
Boarding
Bethany offers both full and weekly boarding. Each House has around 25 boarders who sleep in four-bedded to individual rooms depending on age. All the Houses are furnished in a homely style and have common rooms and kitchens as well as satellite television and a wide variety of recreational facilities. Meals are taken in our modern cafeteria-style dining hall and the weekly menu is published in the News & Events section of this website. Food is also provided for snacks to be prepared in the House kitchens. Boarders have a supervised Prep time after which they may visit friends in other Houses, join in with activities on offer or simply relax in the common room. For full boarders there is an exciting programme of activities and outings on Saturdays. On Sunday, the emphasis is on House-based activities and rest and relaxation. However, small groups may choose to go to the cinema or shopping locally. One weekend in each half-term is designated as a 'Home' weekend and these are published in advance in the school calendar. Full boarders and those from overseas may either stay with their guardian or remain in school for the weekend. Medical Centre provides twenty-four hour qualified medical cover with a resident Nursing Sister. School Doctor holds a regular surgery at the School. Where necessary, House Matrons accompany boarders on routine appointments, such as to the Dentist or Optician. A member of House or Teaching staff will accompany a student to Casualty if they require urgent medical attention.
English as a Second Language
The community at Bethany is enriched socially, culturally and academically by the presence of approximately 40 students from other countries in the world. Many of these students have high levels of English and can access the full curriculum without additional support. For those who require it, though, a specialist ESL teacher gives intensive language support and tuition. All overseas students in the School, below the Sixth Form, are expected to sit the full English GCSE and in addition, they are tutored for the Cambridge PET exam. Sixth Form students study for IELTS qualifications. The aims of the department are threefold: *To improve the performance of students in four skill areas: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.*To provide support right through the School to enable overseas students to achieve their maximum potential in all subject areas. In particular, assistance is given with unfamiliar specialised vocabulary.*To ensure that everyone passes an examination in English that will enable them to attend University within the English speaking world. In Years 7 to 11 ESL lessons are timetabled against French. In the Sixth Form the lessons are fitted around their classes. *As well as helping the students with their English, the Department will also help them with any problems or difficulties they may have while they are so far from home.
Sport
Bethany is justifiably proud of its sporting reputation. Although a small school, we run a full and high-quality fixture list and regularly achieve success against much larger schools. With a whole-school Games afternoon each week, at least two Games lessons a week for all students, team practices and sports sessions in activities times, there is plenty of opportunity to be involved in Sport on a regular basis. Students have the opportunity to compete for the School, not only in the major team games, Rugby, Football, Hockey, Netball, Cricket and Rounders, but also in individual or small team sports. Overseas sports tours and skiing trips are also very popular events. The sports facilities at Bethany are extensive and ever- growing. In addition to many pitches and indoor areas they include: flood-lit all weather surfaces, a fully equipped fitness room, an indoor climbing wall, large, heated outdoor swimming pool , purpose built P.E. classrooms and excellent changing facilities.
Creativity and Performing Arts
Creativity is an essential part of a Bethany education. Creative activities are enjoyable, develop important skills for life and are also the key to success in many areas of employment. Each year a significant number of our sixth form leavers move on to careers in artistic areas, musical fields or in drama. There is an abundance of opportunity both within the formal curriculum and in extra-curricular time for all students to develop their creative talents.
Art | Bethany has a thriving Art Department which prides itself on the wide diversity of work pupils are able to produce. Four members of staff teach in large, purpose built rooms which, in addition to traditional drawing and painting, offer pupils the opportunity to work in ceramics, textiles, printing and photography. The importance of drawing underpins everything that goes on in the Department and all year groups keep sketchbooks to research, record and experiment with their ideas.
Drama | The Drama Department at Bethany has been going from strength to strength. The Drama Studio can be found in the heart of the School, but far enough away from other classrooms to allow students to express themselves as boldly and loudly as they like! The Drama Studio is well equipped with its own lighting rig, sound system and staging system. This means that during lesson time students can experiment with all kinds of theatre tools. Drama is taught to all year groups.
Music | The Music School is housed in what was formerly the village school of Curtisden Green. It stands in its own garden a short walk away from the main school site and next to the girls’ boarding house. There is a large main hall capable of holding small informal concerts. This is where rehearsals take place, and also where larger class based activities are held. In addition to this are two teaching rooms and a further five practice rooms, all with pianos. The Music Department runs a full programme of academic courses.
Location
By air – Gatwick and Stansted is under 1 hour drive, London Heathrow, London City airport and Stansted all within 1 hour 30 minutes drive. By rail – Marden station (3 miles) to London under 1 hour. Eurostar International Stations at Ashford and Ebbsfleet are even closer.
Visit the Bethany School website.
