Welcome

Welcome to the boarding pages of the Beechwood website. Beechwood was formerly a girls' school; it became a co-educational school in 2008 and, at present, boarding accommodation is offered for girls only.

From September 2014 we will also provide for boarding for boys in specially designed accommodation in a separate wing of the main school building, supervised by experienced house staff.

 

Boarding Newsletter

To view the current newsletter from boarding, please click below

• Click to download the attached file(s):
• april_newsletter.pdf
• december_newsletter.pdf

Boarding Inspection Report

• Click to download the attached file(s):
• Boarding_Inspection_Report_1.pdf

School Inspection Report

The recent report from the Independent Schools" Inspectorate (ISI) gave a glowing endorsement of the school's work, with every aspect of the school judged to be either good or outstanding.

To read the latest report from the Independent Schools' Inspectorate, please click the link below 

[read more]

Pastoral care in boarding

Beechwood is a friendly school and new girls quickly settle in and get to know each other, helped by Sixth Formers who act as "big sisters".

Experienced boarding staff undertake the care of the girls, under the guidance of the Head of Boarding.

 

 

Common Rooms

Each age-group has its own Common Room with television, music and a kitchen area, where drinks or snacks can be made.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medical care
Medical care is supplied by our own School Nurse and the School Doctor. Together they provide an excellent medical service, closely monitoring the health of all pupils.

Accommodation

Beechwood was originally built as a family house and today our boarders live comfortably, upstairs in the main school building. Younger pupils share bedrooms in small numbers, enjoying each other's company. Bedrooms are re-allocated regularly, to encourage mixing and integration.

In Summer 2011 a major refurbishment and restructuring took place, which provides new 2-bedded rooms for girls in Years 7 - 11. Single study bedrooms are provided for Years 12 and 13 students. To see photos of the new boarding area go to the photogallery.

All Sixth Formers have their own single study bedrooms.

Each age-group has its own Common Room for relaxing and watching television. Sixthformers have a kitchen where they can prepare drinks and cook and eat snack meals.

Studying

Each evening there is a supervised study session for junior and middle division, and girls can also use the library and ICT rooms at any time. Younger pupils are encouraged to develop good work habits.

Sixth Formers work in their study bedrooms for a session each evening. They can use their own lap top computers or take advantage of the ICT facilities in the Computer Room.

Free Time

After school and at weekends, there is a rich and varied programme of activities and outings to places of interest and for shopping.

The girls can also socialise in their common rooms and in the school grounds, or use the school's sports, library and ICT facilities.

Junior boarders are taken on a weekly supermarket shopping trip so that they can stock up on essentials. There is also a School Fair Trade Tuck Shop which opens daily during the week. 

Middle division boarders can visit the town in groups after school on certain days, with the approval of their housemistress.

Sixth Formers may visit the town on any day between the end of school and supper.

ACTIVITIES PROGRAMME
There is a comprehensive programme of activities and outings for boarders at the weekends, in addition to after school clubs which are organised from 4 - 6pm every weekday.

Location

Boarders at Beechwood live in the main school building, an elegant Victorian house built in 1855. The house was originally built as a home and still feels like a home for our boarders whose rooms are on the top floors.

The school sits in beautiful, landscaped grounds of over 20 acres which overlook open countryside. A short walk or taxi ride takes you into the centre of the town of Tunbridge Wells, where you will find coffee shops, good shopping facilities and other entertainment.

Tunbridge Wells is an historical town and destination for tourists who come to admire the impressive Pantiles and the Chalybeate Spring. You can find out more about Tunbridge Wells by clicking here

What pupils say

"Two words describe how I settled in at Beechwood -  fast and easy!

Experiencing my first separation from my family and moving to England to further my education was definitely a huge step for me.

I was very nervous at first but, thanks to the friendliness of the new faces that I met during my first week at school, I soon settled in. The ice-breaking activities helped us all to know one another more."

Janet Year 12 (from Hong Kong)

 

Boarders enjoying a day out

"You grow up with your friends here, and go through so much with them by your side. Beechwood boarding prepares you for so many things and makes you ready.

It gives you the chance to be free, in a way, and makes you independent - that's what I love about boarding - independence."

Danielle Year 9 (from UK)

 

 

 

A Theme Night

"A lot of things are good in the life of a boarder. The time is really well-organised, with study periods in the evening during the week, and in the morning at weekends. At weekends you have some free time during the afternoons to arrange as you wish.

Boarders have a lot of opportunities to make friends from England or overseas. Girls from overseas are welcomed and given help to overcome language difficulties and problems with their work."

Suzy Year 10 (from France)

 

 

You make friends for life at Beechwood

"Boarding has been good for me as it has made me become more independent and not rely on others as I used to - but there is always someone there to help or guide you if you need them. People really do pull together to help one another with their problems and support them.

The thing I really like about boarding though is the chance to make new friends"

Francesca Year 10  (from UK)