Welcome to Bethany School, where UK and international pupils can find a home away from home.
Welcome from the Headmaster
Our diverse community brings together pupils from the UK and a variety of countries overseas, for girls and boys from the age of 11 through to 18, creating a rich and inclusive learning environment.
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At Bethany our philosophy is simple, we keep the child at the centre of every decision we make in order to ensure they become the best version of themselves. In this ever changing world, we ensure this by maximising their academic potential, and develop their interpersonal skills, in a supportive and caring way.
Beyond the classroom we offer a huge array of extra curricular activities to engage, excite and stretch all of our pupils. We value the happiness and emotional wellbeing of our pupils above all else so that their full potential can be realised.
Bethany is known for achieving in a great variety of fields. We not only have pupils achieving outstanding academic results but we also have pupils producing award winning creative art and textiles and spectacular theatrical performances.
You are very welcome to come and visit us and I will be delighted to show you around.
I look forward to meeting you.
Francie Healy BSc, HDipEd, NPGH
Headmaster
Our Location
The Bethany campus is a beautiful 60 acre rural site in the heart of the Kent countryside.
Bethany is situated in Goudhurst, nestled within the rolling hills and lush countryside of Kent, England. Dating back to medieval times, Goudhurst is a hidden gem surrounded by breath taking landscapes and steeped in history with a 15th Century Church and cobblestone streets.
Travel Links
- London Gatwick Airport is 1 hour by road.
- London Heathrow and Stansted Airports are 1.5 hours away.
- London is one hour by train from Marden station (three miles away), from where there is a half-hourly service to London Charing Cross.
- Ebbsfleet and Ashford International Stations are 50 minutes by road.
- The Eurotunnel Terminal is one hour away.
Bethany School Facts and Figures
- Religion: Christian
- Setting: Rural
- Year founded: 1866
- Campus size: 60 acres
- Girl to boy ratio: 2:3
- Age range: 11 – 18
- Boarder age range: 11 – 18
- Total boarders: 51
- International boarders: 28
- Boarding capacity: 100
- Pupil nationalities: Representation of over 14 countries
- Boarding room (Year 7 to 10): Share with at most 2 others
- Boarding room (Year 11 to 13): Single ensuite rooms
- Boarding exeats: Voluntary
Subjects at Bethany
We teach a variety of subjects throughout the first three years at Bethany, to allow pupils to recognise which areas are most suited to their interests, skills and abilities. Our broad range of GCSE and A Level options, including vocational qualifications, provide the perfect continuations for pupils to fully explore and stretch the limits of their capabilities.
GCSE
Pupils succeed at GCSE because they make the best choices for themselves, have excellent teaching, and receive individual support to identify specific areas for development. As a results, the majority of pupils remain at Bethany into the Sixth Form.
A Level
Small class sizes, tailored teaching, passionate staff, flexible choices – this is Bethany’s winning combination to help our Sixth Formers achieve the best grades they can.
Personalised Support
At Bethany we create an inclusive and supportive learning environment that caters to all gifted and talented pupils and those needing a smaller more supportive environment to flourish.
The school places a strong emphasis on individualised learning and pastoral care, this is recognised by achieving the Wellbeing Award for Schools.
Bethany is also an accredited member of CReSTeD (Council for the Registration of Schools Teaching Dyslexic Pupils).
“My parents wanted me to come to Bethany in Year 7 as they knew I had potential. My dyslexia had knocked my confidence at primary school and they knew that with the specialist dyslexia support at Bethany, I could reach my full potential. My favourite subjects are now biology, chemistry and maths, The passion teachers have for their subjects really inspires me. Now I am planning on studying bio chemistry at St Andrews in September 2024.”
Alex, Year 12
Outstanding Boarding Houses
Our boarding houses are unique and welcoming, each with its own character. Our younger pupils mainly share a bedroom with two others. Our older pupils will have their own bedroom with ensuite facilities.
Pupils can make their own snacks and drinks in the newly refurbished kitchens within the boarding houses, and they can relax and bond in their house’s common rooms, equipped with TVs, games consoles, and a pool table.
Additionally, our boarding houses boast their own gardens, providing a serene and safe space for relaxation and recreation. The outstanding catering team ensures that pupils receive delicious and nutritious meals, in our newly refurbished dining room to further enhance their boarding experience.
Evening and Weekend Boarding Activities
A wide range of activities is organised for our boarders each weekend. On Saturday’s pupils enjoy trips to tourist attractions such as theme parks, towns and cities, cultural attractions, sporting fixtures and shopping trips to Bluewater or Tunbridge Wells. They are also able to use the full school facilities for activities such as table tennis, working out in the gym or team sports such as basketball.
On Sunday, the emphasis is on House-based activities and rest and relaxation. However, small groups may choose to go to the cinema or shopping locally.
One weekend in each half term is designated as a ‘Home’ weekend and these are published in advance in the school calendar. Full boarders and those from overseas may either stay with their guardian or remain in school for the weekend. This facility is not offered by many schools.
State-of-the-art Facilities
We have a range of exciting and modern on-site facilities at Bethany School, including:
- A modern, spacious dining hall
- A bespoke food and nutrition teaching room and kitchen
- A fully stocked design and technology teaching room, with all modern and traditional tools and machinery
- Performing Arts Centre – Ready for September 2024
- An award-winning 25 metre, six-lane swimming pool
- A state-of-the-art fitness suite
- Floodlit all weather hockey pitch and tennis courts
- A hugely popular high ropes course and climbing wall
- Squash and netball courts
- Football, rugby and cricket pitches
- Modern sports hall with basketball, badminton and cricket nets
Delicious Award Winning Food
At Bethany, we source ingredients that are in season from a range of growers. Our Holroyd Howe chefs choose their own suppliers so they can have the pick of the produce that is seasonal and local to them, ensuring that our food is fresher, tastier and more nutritious.
A selection of delicious hot and cold food is available at lunch with dishes ranging from slow cooked pulled shoulder of cajun pork to tofu paneer with crispy poppadoms and saffron rice, catering for all dietary requirements. Boarding pupils are also provided with breakfast and tea, all served in our purpose-built Dining Hall complex.
Enrichment Activities at Bethany
Two afternoons a week, all pupils have the opportunity to take part in an unparalleled range of supervised activities both on and off-campus, while a further two afternoons are dedicated to PSHCE and sports. We help each child achieve their best by getting to know them, their interests and how they learn most effectively. Extensive additional facilities develop pupils’ independent thinking, interpersonal skills, and confidence, giving them everything they need to succeed in our rapidly changing world.
With over 50 activities to choose from, the Bethany enrichment programme is the envy of many. We have our own high ropes course and climbing wall; there is horse riding at our local stables; sailing; bushcraft; swimming; archery; theatrical productions; skiing; visits to the Big Cat Sanctuary; conservation; adventurous trips to places like Tanzania and the Himalayas; chess club; colour runs; karate… the list goes on and on.
Bethany’s enrichment programme also perfectly supports the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, widely recognised as the best personal development programme for young people. We are one of the few schools in the region licensed to operate the award independently, with a 100% completion rate for the highest level of achievement, the Gold Award.
Sport at Bethany
With a whole-school games afternoon each week, along with two games lessons, team practices and various sports sessions on a further three afternoons, there are plenty of opportunities to be involved in sport on a regular basis at Bethany School.
Our core sports for boys are swimming, football, hockey and cricket and for girls, swimming, netball, hockey and cricket. With opportunities to train in our weekly clubs and compete in athletics, rugby, girls football, squash, tennis, basketball, climbing, high ropes and martial arts.
Pupils have the opportunity to compete for the School in regular fixtures; not only in the major team games but also in individual or small team sports. We run a full and high-quality fixture list and regularly achieve success against much larger schools.
Football Excellence Pathway
We are delighted to introduce the Bethany Football Excellence Pathway. With our partners at Maidstone United Football Club, this pathway has been set up to target both UK and International pupils who aspire to become elite footballers whilst, at the same time, pursue a strong academic education. We recognise the significance of providing a comprehensive child centred education that nurtures both intellectual and physical aptitudes, and this pathway is tailored to achieve this.
Our Football Excellence Pathway is designed to build an exceptionally strong foundation for aspiring football talents. Initially open to UK and overseas boys aged 13 – 15 years old, it will also be expanded to include all ages and both sexes in the coming years.
Elite Swimming Programme
Bethany run an elite swimming coaching programme for pupils who are competition swimmers and those who show potential in the pool.
Under the coaching regime of ex-Olympian, Lisa Chapman, who competed for Great Britain at the Athens Olympics, pupils attend up to two hours coaching a week to improve their stroke technique, water fitness and race performance.
Pupils have the option to swim before school and during lunchtimes too.
Creative Arts at Bethany
Creativity is an essential part of a Bethany education. Creative activities are enjoyable, develop important skills for life and are the key to success in many areas of employment.
Bethany has a thriving Art department, which prides itself on the wide diversity of work pupils are able to produce, be it traditional drawing and painting, digital art, ceramics, textiles, printmaking or photography. We have well equipped studios including a dedicated photography studio and darkroom. Our Textiles department produces excellent work in both constructed art textiles and fashion outcomes.
Our Design & Technology curriculum allows our pupils to understand the impact of design and technology on daily life and society. Through creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking, Bethany pupils are capable and innovative individuals. By nurturing their creativity, practical skills and problem-solving abilities, we are preparing them for various career paths and enhancing their overall personal development.
Performing Arts at Bethany
Performing is an essential part of a Bethany education. Drama is an integral part of Bethany and its creative ethos, giving a range of opportunities for involvement, irrespective of age or experience, to a large number of pupils each year.
We challenge preconceptions of what dance can be and aim to ignite pupils’ own creativity in composition work. The confidence gained through achievements in dance helps to build social skills, increase self-esteem, problem solve and communicate within a group, all of which are transferable skills.
Music at Bethany is a place where all pupils can achieve, regardless of ability. Pupils are given the opportunity to take ownership of their learning and are immersed in an extremely practical and differentiated environment. Pupils can also take part in a range of live music events hosted in and out of Bethany throughout the course of an academic year.
New Performing Arts Centre
We are delighted to be building a new state-of-the-art Performing Arts Centre, which will open in September 2024.
Key features for our new Performing Arts Centre:
- 214-seat theatre with full lighting rig and backstage area
- Dance Studio
- Drama classroom
- Music centre with 7 practice rooms
- Mac suite – for composition and music tech
- Recording studio
- Commanding views across the campus and over the Weald
Meet some of our boarding pupils
Click on each photo to read more
Holly
Year 8
Javier
Year 9
Aure
Year 10
Jimena
Year 11
Hanseo
Year 11
Alvin
Year 11
Bethany School Rated ‘Excellent’ in all areas
Bethany was last inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (equivalent to The Department of Education) in April 2023.
The Educational Quality Inspection makes judgements on the quality of the pupils’ academic and other achievements and the quality of the pupils’ personal development.
In each of these areas there are four possible judgements; Unsatisfactory, Sound, Good or Excellent.
Bethany was judged to be excellent in both of these key outcomes.
“The Bethany community is full of great people, and we are also very fortunate to have such an excellent board of governors. As these are the highest judgements that can be obtained, Bethany is rightly delighted and proud of these terrific accolades. Of course, Bethany is a team composed of governors, staff, pupils and parents and without all of us working together in harmony this would not have been possible.”
Francie Healy, Headmaster
