School Development

Major building works were carried out throughout 2009. A fantastic new kitchen and dining hall was created on the site of the old Pre Prep building. This facility has fantastic sliding doors opening onto the school field which makes it a superb space for match teas, especially in the summer months. The first floor of this building hosts four new state-of-the-art classrooms, linking through to two more fully refurbished classrooms. This area holds many of the Year 6-8 lessons. The hall is also used as a venue for musical concerts and other events. The building is linked to the main building by a level bridge on the first floor.

Holywell Mount, the big house previously used for Year 8 classrooms, has been refurbished and has become the new home of the St Bede’s Pre-Prep and Nursery. This has created a wonderful home for our younger pupils, providing light airy classrooms with fabulous views, many of which open out onto the new outdoor classroom and play areas. This project created a wonderful self-contained home for our younger children within the grounds of the School. Plans are being drawn up to transform the space at the bottom of the main school vacated by the kitchen, Pre Prep and Nursery into new homes for the library, the medical room, the school shop, home economics, improved changing and toilet facilities and a fantastic new suite of music rooms alongside the dance studio and underneath the chapel. The project will also result in a great new home for learning support in cosy attic rooms and will also open access to the main building from the playground.

Security is a major concern for any school and a new electronic wireless security system was introduced in 2008, enabling our children to freely access all buildings whilst preventing access by any unauthorised persons.
The Boarding House at Meads End has undergone a huge transformation. The boys’ bedrooms have now been relocated on the first floor and the girls are located on the ground floor. Most of the rooms have fantastic views over the sea and some have their own balcony. The toilet and shower facilities have been given a major overhaul and the interior has been decorated throughout. This has created a wonderfully spacious and yet homely environment for our thriving boarding population. The swimming pool has also been transformed with newly rendered and painted walls, new tiles around the edge, much improved heating and fantastic new lighting.