Bede's Towards 2025

The aim of our strategic plan is to guide the direction of the school for the next five years. The plan provides the overarching goals in key areas and provides the framework for a continual process of improvement. We have a commitment to being better than we were and with a genuine accountability to have all members of our community striving to be the best versions of themselves. This process is broken into Annual Development plans which support the larger strategic goals. Our strategic ambitions, and associated operational goals are evidence based.

Over the period of the plan any new initiatives will be considered if they align with our strategic plan and our vision, mission and values.

This strategic plan tables a bold path for our future while telling an important story about our remarkable community; our pupils, families, colleagues and alumni. Just as this plan is shaped by our community, it is defined by changes in the world that present new challenges and the need for the skills to flourish in an ever changing society.

MEASURING AND COMMUNICATING OUR SUCCESS

We act on evidence and are motivated by an embedded culture of continuous improvement. We are regularly enhancing our approach to market analysis to guide our ambitions and augment impact. Our key performance indicators give us a framework to measure and evidence our success, underpinned by delivery across the Trust against a range of supporting strategies and additional metrics.

The Senior Management, Executive and Governing Board, monitor performance against our key performance indicators. We will regularly communicate with our key stakeholders regarding challenges being tackled, successful delivery and progress highlights.

THE BEDE’S PHILOSOPHY

Bede’s is a welcoming, forward-thinking and progressive IAPS & HMC school established in 1895 as a Preparatory School, giving birth to a Senior School in 1978. The Prep School enjoys a stunning location, nestled on the edge of the South Downs at the end of the Eastbourne beachfront, whilst the Senior School enjoys an enviable village location in the East Sussex countryside.

We have a strong belief in the importance of belonging, we celebrate our differences in a welcoming, diverse and inclusive community.

Bede’s is an independent, co-educational boarding and day school for boys and girls aged 6 months to 18 years old. We intend to be the Educational Trust of choice for parents seeking an outstanding all-round education for their children, maximising academic outcomes in relation to ability, becoming the market leader in adding value and building on our existing strengths of pastoral excellence, a strong artistic tradition and outstanding sporting provision, augmented by our warm and caring community.

Bede’s keeps pace with the constantly changing face of education to ensure that we provide an education which equips our young people with the necessary skills to achieve happiness and success beyond our bounds, in the twenty-first century.

We are determined to provide an education which is highlighted by individualised learning pathways and a creative and flexible core curriculum. Our focus is on placing the pupil and their choices first. We are an interactive environment where advances in technology are harnessed and teaching practice modified to ensure the learning of the pupils is most fruitful.

We are committed to ensuring that Bede’s is a school where every child can both find something that they enjoy and where anyone, no matter who they are, can succeed. Pupils are encouraged to aspire to the very highest academic standards and – most importantly –are empowered to enjoy their learning. We want them to develop a love of learning, in an environment in which they truly belong, and believe that this should be a source of pride.

Bede’s is a learning environment in which we celebrate diversity, and promote inclusivity and equality. We recognise and celebrate the unique talents that each pupil brings and we seek to provide opportunities which enable us to celebrate every individual and their achievements. In so doing we aspire to shape an institution that cultivates belonging, and values the infinite human chain upon which the Bede’s ethos and philosophy is founded.

Our philosophy is underpinned by the notion that being fulfilled and finding purpose outside of the classroom is not only compatible with academic success but that the two go hand in hand. Furthermore we have a commitment to all those who work at Bede’s, to be a first-class employer providing numerous opportunities for professional development. We pride ourselves on the care and empathy of our staff, ensuring that we appoint inspirational people who understand Bede’s education and are willing to contribute significantly to make it a success.

Bede’s carefully blends rigour, ritual and informality to create a School where the young and the not so young support each other in a positive, vibrant and happy atmosphere.

Bede’s has a delightful rhythm, it is an energetic, colourful and busy place; warm, kind and extremely ambitious.

VISION VALUES

Vision

Where every child finds joy in their pursuit of brilliance.

Mission

We continue to craft a more joyful education:-

» Cultivating a vibrant learning experience, motivating us to pursue our individual best.

» Providing a festival of opportunity, enabling us to discover new passions and develop new talents.

» Building a kind-hearted community, inspiring us to enhance the lives of others.

Be Compassionate

Because a caring community fosters belonging.

We expect our community to show kindness to people of all ages, genders and ethnicities, maintaining campuses where every person feels joyful and energised.

Be Curious

Because wisdom can be found off the beaten track.

We encourage our community to discover unlikely passions and hidden niches, releasing them into a wealth of opportunities inside and outside the classroom.

Be Courageous

Because fortune favours the brave.

We challenge our community to stand up for what is right, providing them with a safe environment where they can take bold action in pursuit of brilliance.

Be Conscientious

Because dedication is a spearhead of success.

We ask our community to throw themselves wholeheartedly into every endeavour, taking responsibility for their journey and inspiring others to do the same.

Bede’s for the future

We acknowledge that a Strategic Plan is a living document that must be viewed in the context of Bede’s Trust’s desire to realise educational and financial goals amid the realities of the market in which we operate as an independent school. With this in mind, the Board of Governors has developed this Strategic Plan, Towards 2025, to focus on the following five essential tenets.

A joyful, pupilcentered and innovative education

Where every child finds joy in their pursuit of brilliance.

STRATEGIC AMBITION:

A JOYFUL, PUPIL-CENTRED AND INNOVATIVE EDUCATION

Rationale:

Bede’s celebrates the success of all its pupils in equal measure, it is our ambition to develop curious, courageous, conscientious and compassionate individuals who will go out and make a difference; therefore we know that to achieve this goal we need to have a community which supports all our pupils in reaching this place through enjoying their learning experience here at Bede’s. This is a commitment which spans the educational life of a Bedian, from the nursery through to the sixth form. We are devoted to designing an ever-evolving curriculum which supports the academic needs of the pupils, but also develops key competencies which will enable them to succeed beyond the gates of Bede’s. The foundation of this is the relationships that exist between pupils and their teachers, that these are warm and genuine, that they support positive learning outcomes.

We will:

• Listen to the voice of the pupils ensuring that it is at the heart of what we do

• Embed a culture of innovation in teaching and learning that meets the challenges of an ever changing society

• Develop all elements of the learning experience to reflect the needs of pupils in a changing world

• Design an overarching educational curriculum which has at its core twenty first century competencies and pupil well-being

• Provide an unequalled programme for the co-curricular, enabling pupils to find their purpose

• Develop effective pedagogies and technologies that fit the educational values and character of Bede’s

• Enhance our pastoral care to enable pupils to reach their potential in a safe and secure community

STRATEGIC AMBITION:

CELEBRATE AND STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY

Rationale:

The fundamental strength of Bede’s is the relationships that exist within our community. Bede’s is a human organisation in which all members have a sense of belonging, through our commitment to recognising and celebrating the differences of all our colleagues, pupils and families. Bede’s is a diverse and international learning environment, which values the contribution made by each and every person. Our ambition is to continue cultivating this ethos across the Trust through the curriculum, beyond the bounds of the classroom. This intention is underpinned by our core values and our determination to aspire to our vision by being a kind hearted community.

We will:

• Ensure Bede’s is shaped by its commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity

• Provide an environment where everyone’s differences are celebrated.

• Embed character education, underpinned by our values, as a core element of our learning experience

• Enhance pupil engagement and commitment to personal excellence and self-worth

• Develop opportunities for pupil leadership and develop further our approach to pupil voice

• Inspire pupils by providing experiences, skills and knowledge that enable them to develop the habits of a flourishing life.

• Continue to develop systems and opportunities for understanding and responding to our parents

STRATEGIC AMBITION:

FURTHER PROMOTE, APPRECIATE AND DEVELOP OUR EMPLOYEE COMMUNITY

Rationale:

Ongoing learning, improvement, and growth are essential to continued excellence in any organisation. This is particularly true in education and Bede’s is a community devoted to learning itself.

The fundamental strength of Bede’s is its people, and their caring and encouraging approach. Our People strategy aims to concentrate on our commitment to recruiting, developing and retaining the very best colleagues to support us in our vision. We will genuinely seek those individuals who represent our core values and the communities we work alongside.

At Bede’s we aspire to create the conditions and structures that enable our colleagues to be exceptional and accomplish their career goals in a community that supports their personal and professional development. We will also work to support staff wellbeing as we embrace new ways of working and strive to be an employer of choice.

We will:

• Recruit and retain, inspirational colleagues and develop their talents

• Create a working environment which has at its centre the well-being of all our colleagues

• Review the remuneration structures and benefit packages to assist recruitment and retention of colleagues

• Fashion professional development opportunities that are informed by appraisal and the individual’s developmental needs

• Review more closely our family friendly policies, along with working patterns to broaden our recruitment pool.

• Become an Investor in People accredited organisation

STRATEGIC AMBITION:

BE MORE SOCIALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE

Rationale:

We have a responsibility to play our part in sustaining human well-being and the natural environment. Sustainability is fundamental to all aspects of this strategic plan both in terms of the environment and wider society. Our commitment to the environment has caused us to assess and reduce our carbon footprint and ensure sustainable approaches in all of our operations. Our holistic approach to sustainability is deeply rooted in social justice and also takes into account economic, cultural, social, and personal wellbeing. The purpose of this ambition is to provide a framework to enable us to take greater responsibility for our impact on the environment and for us to consider how to better the world beyond our gates. Bede’s appreciates the importance of inculcating a philosophy of service amongst our pupils, to enable them to truly appreciate their place within society. In so doing, pupils understand the importance of making a difference to those around them and the community in which they live.

Socially, we will:

• Grow our commitment to be consumed in service and our belief in serving others.

• Further enhance the opportunities we provide for pupils and colleagues to serve the global community

• Become an educational resource which contributes to the wider community through publications, speaking engagements, board membership, and professional networks

• Strengthen our partnerships with local schools, to further develop our role in support of these organisations and their pupils.

• Grow the employability links we have, to further support our pupils in their understanding of the workplace

• Create a culture of volunteerism and service amongst parents and alumni to provide more opportunities for our pupils

Environmentally, we will:

• Nurture a mindset to support environmental sustainability and responsibility

• Cultivate a bespoke and unique Eco-literacy curriculum in the Prep School

• Continue to evaluate our energy consumption and implement means by which we can become more environmentally friendly, including plastic use

• Reduce carbon footprint, a commitment to the Let’s Go Zero campaign, especially in terms of transport; assess means by which we can be more efficient while still providing an exceptional service.

• Achieve kitemarks for eco-awareness e.g. Eco Schools Green Flag

STRATEGIC AMBITION:

BEDE’S FOR THE FUTURE

Rationale:

We have an obligation to ensure that our colleagues have the tools, training, and facilities needed to be successful. Bede’s is forward-looking and aspirational and as we plan for the future of the St Bede’s School Trust, we must ensure that the decisions we make today position us for success well into the future. We must continue our tradition of fiscal prudence in the management and spending of our revenue. We must continue to seek opportunities to develop and enhance our campuses and our educational provision, while at the same time controlling costs in an effort to remain affordable. The site masterplan underpins the Trust’s approach to development and prioritisation for capital project development.

Bede’s is committed to develop and enhance networking and mentoring opportunities for all Bedians within and beyond the gates, to increase the number of Bedians with a lifelong association to the Trust. We will continue to promote the Bede’s ethos and further cultivate a culture of philanthropy to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the Trust.

We will:

• Strengthen our Financial foundations, embed financial structures across the Trust, to support effective budgetary management

• Refine our marketing strategy to maximise the reach of the Bede’s brand within the market

• Establish a transparent approach to financial planning across all sectors to enable a Trustwide understanding of financial health

• Ensure fees are competitive and appropriate for both the day and boarding markets

• Seek additional revenue opportunities that are strategically aligned

• Continue to nurture and develop lifelong associations amongst our alumni, parents, colleagues and the wider Bede’s community

• Build on our commitment to broadening access through transformational bursaries, strategically partnering with carefully chosen organisations

• Deepen our relationship with alumni by engaging them and communicating with them about vision-driven initiatives

• Inspire a willingness to give generously over a lifetime

• Enrich spaces and facilities needed to promote our flexible, innovative, mulit-faceted educational experience

• Regularly review our comprehensive five-year masterplan for enhancement of the Bede’s campuses

• Ensure we provide an educational setting which is fit for purpose and fulfils the operational needs of the Trust.

• Embed a culture of collaboration across all constituencies with regards to capital development

• Continue to invest in a robust and innovative IT infrastructure which underpins all that we do.

ANNUAL PLANS

Each department, house or section of the school has its own objectives and these ambitions flow into the overarching Bede’s Operational Development Plan. A core part of the strategic development of the school are the annual development plans which inform the intentions of each department, house or section. These plans are overseen by the Heads of those areas (e.g. Housemasters/mistress, Heads of Department, Director of Sport, Facilities Manager), as well as other Senior leaders who create the plans for their area of responsibility e.g Marketing, Admissions and Communications, Finance etc

These plans are created through a collaborative process that includes the staff associated with the particular area of the school.

The annual development plans link directly to this strategic plan and therefore are shaped by the input of all stakeholders. However, we continue to seek opportunities for colleagues, parents and pupils to collaborate on the annual development plans as we strive towards our vision.