Bede's Senior School is an international school in Hailsham, United Kingdom. It serves 830 students for students aged 13–18.
Explore This School
Location & getting here
Quiet East Sussex semi-rural location near the market town of Hailsham, well removed from urban sprawl but within reasonable reach of London and transport links.
Nearest airports
Framed for international families — drive times are from the school, not the city centre.
| Airport | Distance | Drive from school | International note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gatwick | 42 km | ~65 min | LGW — good for SE Asia, Middle East via BA/EK/QR |
| London City | 72 km | ~104 min | — |
| Heathrow | 81 km | ~115 min | LHR — gateway for Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai |
NanaSays Scorecard
Key Details
Scholarships Available
Academic Performance
ISI Inspection Report
Bede's Senior School meets all relevant independent school standards across all areas assessed. Strengths include effective governance, a wide curriculum with strong teaching and detailed feedback, comprehensive support for pupils' development, and thorough safeguarding. The main recommendation is to take steps to reduce occasional inconsiderate behaviour by male pupils towards female pupils.
Key facts
Fees & the true cost of attendance
Published fees · inclusive of VAT
| Phase | Per term | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Day | £11,750 | £35,250 |
| Full Boarding | £18,400 | £55,200 |
Compulsory extras (on top of tuition)
| Item | Frequency | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Day Boarding Supplement | Per year | £975 |
| Pre-Sixth / Sixth Form Supplement | Per year | £360 |
| Legat (Dance Programme) | Per year | £1,260 |
| Weekly Boarding Supplement | Per year | £16,710 |
| Full Boarding Supplement | Per year | £19,950 |
Budget beyond the sticker price. Assume the real annual spend is 5–15% higher than the headline fee. Hidden costs typically include: registration fee, acceptance deposit (usually one term's fees, refundable at the end of schooling), uniform + sports kit, trips and expeditions, individual music tuition, exam entry fees, travel to/from home.
Ask the Bursar for a sample "all-in" first-year invoice before committing.
Merit-based scholarships (7 types)
ℹ️ This school has not published the exact % fee remission for each award. Ask the admissions team directly — typical independent school scholarships range from 5% to 50% of fees.
About
Bede's Senior School is an independent HMC day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 13-18, located in rural Sussex near the South Downs National Park. The school's holistic philosophy prioritizes the individual, giving equal weight to academic, co-curricular and pastoral excellence. Founded on four core values—Compassion, Courage, Curiosity and Conscientiousness—the school aims to discover every pupil's talents and place creativity and individuality at the heart of school life.
School data verified by NanaSays. Last updated: April 2026.
Academic Results
Admissions
| Entry point | Assessment | Assessment date | Registration deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 7 onwards | Experience day, taster sessions, sports training or dance classes with coaches | — | — |
How to apply
- Attend open day or experience normal school day
- Invited to Bede's Experience Day
- Sports enthusiasts offered personal training sessions; dancers invited to Legat classes
Open events
- Open days
Scholarships: Scholarships available across multiple disciplines; see Scholarship Guide for application process
Admissions contact: [email protected] or 01323 356609
Specific assessment criteria and entry point timelines not detailed in crawled content. Separate Pre-Sixth Programme available for international students focusing on English language development. Guardian Requirements for International Students apply.
Why Families Choose
- Holistic philosophy with equal priority to academic, co-curricular and pastoral aspects
- Individual-first approach that discovers the talents of every pupil
- Four core values: Compassion, Courage, Curiosity, Conscientiousness
- Modern school placing creativity, passion and individuality at the heart of school life
- Flexible boarding options: Full, Weekly (Monday-Friday), and Flexi Boarding
Boarding Life
Flexi Boarding, Full Boarding, Weekly Boarding (Monday to Friday)
Student Life
Five boarding houses
Student Demographics
School Background
Independent