Interview: Beudesert school

EXPERT INTERVIEW

Interview with Cirencester’s Beaudesert School

Can you sum up Beaudesert in one sentence? Beaudesert is an enchanting country prep nestled in the Cotswolds where the warmest of relationships between staff and children underpin an ambitious and aspirational learning environment for all, and children are taught to think for themselves, be kind to one another and enjoy their childhood for as long as they can.

Tell us a little of the history of your school? The School was founded in 1908 in Henley-in-Arden in Warwickshire, and moved to its current location in the Cotswolds ten years later. Originally an all-boys boarding school for 30 pupils, it has grown into a thriving co-educational weekly & flexi-boarding school for 400 children aged three to thirteen.

What would you say is special about a school life at Beaudesert Park? Probably our approach to childhood. These Prep school years are so precious, and they fly by so fast! We develop children with the highest academic expectations to ready them for senior school life and beyond. At Beaudesert we think we strike the right balance so that the children’s learning also incorporates space for them to relish the freedom and joy and sheer fun of childhood for as long as possible. Our parents tell us this is very much a shared ethos. Throughout the school, we continually share two key messages: be kind and try your best! A close-run second is the fact that parents very often comment on how their children’s confidence has grown since they came to Beaudesert. Children benefit enormously in confidence from having endless opportunities and challenges to express themselves through the arts, sport, and particularly to perform before an audience. Here at Beaudesert, children of all ages are given lots of chances and encouragement to enjoy performing right from the start in Nursery.

What facilities do you have? Beaudesert is fortunate enough to host a plethora of high-class facilities for children to enjoy including our state-of-the-art Performance Arts Centre built in 2015, specialist Art, Design Technology and Pottery studios, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, two Forest Schools for our Pre-prep children to explore as well as tennis courts and an Astro for all-weather sport. Our truly glorious Cotswold location means we enjoy big sky views to the front that stretch across wooded valleys and villages, while the grassy expanse of Minchinhampton Common sits behind us. Children cross the National Trust site to access the School’s playing fields, dodging cows and ponies that roam in the fields during the summer months.

Does Beaudesert have any quirky traditions? From Year 4 our children can gain their ‘tree climbing licence’ which allows them to climb the trees on site freely during break and lunchtimes. Muddy knees are a common occurrence during afternoon lessons, and very much welcomed!