Partnerships

The Wealden Partnership (WSP) is constituted as a partnership of equals amongst 10 primary and secondary schools in the Wealden area. The shared aim is the educational benefit of children based on a core belief that children in the Wealden area will be better served through cooperation and a recognition of the similarities of our objectives. In the past year, we have organised all sorts of activities and events from inter house debating competitions, quizzes, sport and coaching sessions, school council get togethers as well as SHAPE, STEM and language days across the schools.

Facilities across both schools continue to be used extensively by local organisations, schools and communities. All drama performances offer free places for local school children whether at the Devonshire Park and Congress theatres or in house productions. This is an opportunity which sparks children’s own creativity and their interest in the performing arts. 

Various schools have been able to use our recording studios whilst other schools have forged links with our chapel and concert choirs. Free places have been awarded to the Legat programme, as well as the summer school dance programme and national let’s dance competition. The summer school offers free places to refugees and under privileged children. 

Numerous schools visit the school zoo offering a hands-on experience as well as looking at care and conservation. 

Building upon last year's connection with Gladesmore, this year we joined forces again alongside Elmgreen school. STEM pupils and teachers are able to offer 2 hour online teaching every Monday after school to gifted Year 10 pupils from both schools. They were delighted that they were able to make a visit to Bede’s in April, taking part in bespoke science and maths lessons including practical sessions as well as a much enjoyed trip to the zoo. 

"I enjoyed my trip to Bede’s. I like that they have a lot of different subjects and activities they can do in and out of school. I like the way the school promotes inclusivity and how they were welcoming”

“The trip to Bede’s was a very nice experience. We got to do experiments like titrations and finding the rate of reactions with good equipment. It was also fun to talk with students attending the school as it added to the insightful experience”

Andrine Allen from AA Educates said “On behalf of the students and staff, I would like to say a HUGE thank you for ALL your hospitality and your warm welcome. As usual, the staff and students at Bede's were friendly, warm and very helpful. 

The pupils reported how much they enjoyed their experience and got so much from the day. Thank you for hosting the STEM workshops and amazing practical experiments as well as the online tuition. Thank you for your continued generosity and support and keeping this partnership flourishing” 

In January, we hold the Senior Inter Schools debating competition. Five different schools in the area joined together for a debating experience led by Head of Languages, Matthew Oliver. MP Nusrat Ghani introduced the morning via a zoom call, where she highlighted how events like this help to develop critical thinking skills, showing respect to others, gaining understanding as well as providing challenge and persuasion for the different points of view. The format of the morning was explained, before the motions were discussed. The two motions were “should foreign aid be dissolved?” and “should the consumption of meat be banned?” Feedback was given to all students with books given out to those that gave a particularly impressive performance. A huge thank you to our pupils that participated but also to all schools involved for their commitment and support. 

A member of staff at Bede’s continues his long-standing commitment and support of Looked After Children (LAC) by acting as the Designated Teacher for LACs. Bede’s works closely with the RNCSF and our Designated Teacher is a member of their Expert Advisory Group, providing advice about boarding,  in order to help develop their national programme. During the past year, there were five LAC from East Sussex who were educated in the Trust, all of whom were weekly boarding at Bede’s. The School also supported one child from Eastside Young Leaders’ Academy (EYLA), through the Royal National Children’s SpringBoard Foundation (RNCSF). The School provides 50% bursaries for the LAC and also covers many of the extra costs, with the Local Authority and the Royal National Children’s SpringBoard Foundation providing the remainder of fees. Bede’s also provides a 70% bursary for the child from EYLA, with the RNCSF covering the rest including extras. 

Our Designated Teacher for LAC has also continued to fulfil his role as a Governor of the East Sussex Virtual School for Children in Care, with the school hosting two of the Governor meetings this year.  In this role, he also works closely with the Head of the Virtual School to identify children in care who would benefit from a place at Bede’s and to explore ways in which Bede’s can support and provide opportunities to other children in care in East Sussex.  

The Head of LAC has also developed a partnership with Magdalen College School in Oxford offering interview and mock Oxbridge Maths support for a variety of students in state schools. 

As part of its work to support the Foster Placement Support Service, which provides respite for foster carers, Bede’s hosts children several times a year at weekends and during holidays. Every term we hosted groups of up to 15 children on a Saturday morning, providing activities in both the Art and Animal Management Unit and providing lunch.  On two occasions we hosted two groups of LAC for holiday sports activities, led by staff in the Sports Centre, during which they tried out a number of different sports.  

We hosted two Children in Care Awards ceremonies this year.  In October, we hosted over 50 children in care along with their carers/ social workers to celebrate their educational success.  Holroyd Howe provided the catering and the awards ceremony took place in the Recital room.  This event was for children in Year 7 and above.  In March, we held an event to celebrate the educational success of such children in Year 6 and below.  20 children along with their carers, were invited in for a session in art and animal management, followed by lunch and the award ceremony in the Old Dining Room.  

Last year Bede’s was recognised for its work with LAC over the course of the last decade, by the Boarding Schools Association, winning the Working with Vulnerable Children Award. The award submission detailed research carried out by Bede’s Head of Boarding into the experience of and outcomes for LAC who have attended Bede’s. The evidence provided explained that to date 22 LAC have attended Bede’s and that, whilst some are still currently studying at Bede’s, 14 children have left with the equivalent of 3 A levels or more and a university offer, the vast majority having achieved considerable academic success at university.

We continue to have links with Sibs, a national charity supporting children who have disabled siblings or parents.  As a result, we work with Downs Junior School in Brighton, which is the only primary school in the South East to have a Sibs group.  Across two Saturdays, groups of up to 12 children came in for sessions in Art and Animal Management followed by lunch. Transport to and from Brighton was provided on both occasions.