Boarding In The Country

Boarding at Bedales is a great change from London; it’s enhancing and excellent fun.

I arrived aged eight and soon found out fears were unfounded. During my first day my newfound friends and I were getting changed after PE. We were suddenly interrupted by a small, bespectacled woman and, as we scrambled for cover, holding on to any clothing that came to hand, we wondered who on earth she could be. She said in a small voice: ‘Umm… this isn’t the reception is it? I got a bit lost.’ At this, the boys burst into uproarious laughter. I directed her to where she wanted to go and then we all ran to Geography.

Bedales is a Hogwarts with its own magic. My friend Luca said: ‘I came because my mum loved it when she was here twenty years ago.’

The junior school is extraordinary because of the liberties we get and the way we are taught to handle responsibilities. There is no uniform, giving everyone the individuality they will have in the outside world. Teachers are called by their first names, which some people I know would consider disrespectful, but in reality it inspires the sense of community. The old fashioned, ‘yes sir, no sir, three bags full sir’ stops children talking profoundly with adults!

When asked about boarding, my friend Peter said: ‘We were looking for a school that was strong in the arts but would also enable me to enjoy a wide range of sport. I didn’t want a school that was aggressively competitive, which some sporty schools can be.’ My friend Gabby added: ‘I was bullied at my London school and became very shy and withdrawn. Here you are accepted for who you are and we celebrate individuality. Since starting here I get so excited about coming to school, it’s like a second home.’

The ‘head, hand and heart’ ethos of learning means that we are challenging every part of ourselves: our head through academics; our hand through making and doing; our heart through our closeknit community. A variety of clubs run every night; you name it, we’ve got it.

Contact Registrar Janie Jarman on 01730 711733, jjarman@bedales.org.uk to arrange a visit. Or book a place on the special Science, History and the Big Outdoors taster day at Dunhurst on 24 February. www.bedales.org.uk.