Additional Subjects
Languages
Welcome to Modern Foreign Languages at Bede's Prep, where learning French or Spanish is your passport to becoming a confident global citizen! We believe discovering a new language is the ultimate adventure—an opening to vibrant cultures, fresh ways of thinking, and unforgettable experiences. Powered by specialist teachers (including native speakers!) and interactive digital tools, our classrooms bounce with games, songs, and lively conversations.
The Tech-Powered Tracks: Studio & Viva!
Using the interactive Studio (French) and Viva (Spanish) e-learning hubs, you will blend audio-visual tech with chatty discussions. You'll master past, present, and future tenses to unlock real-world communication:
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French Fun: In Year 7, you'll pack your virtual bags for Paris, talking holidays, sports, and city life. By Year 8, you'll be debating social media, health trends, and sharing your future dreams.
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Spanish Steps: Year 7 covers everything from ordering delicious food to detailing your daily routines. Year 8 turns up the excitement with summer plans, job hunting, and mastering tricky reflexive verbs.
Beyond the Book: Immersion and Culture
Languages at Bede’s aren't just for the classroom—they are meant to be lived! You will dive into authentic stories, poems, and music that spark your imagination.
The absolute highlight? Every two years, Year 7 and 8 pupils get the thrilling opportunity to pack their bags for a language immersion trip to France or Spain! There is nothing quite like ordering your own croissant or churro in perfect accents to boost your confidence.
By the end of Year 8, through friendly end-of-module check-ins across reading, writing, listening, and speaking, you’ll be fully equipped, resilient, and ready to fly through your GCSEs. Let’s start talking!
History
History at Bede’s is far from a dusty memory test - it is a thrilling, dynamic adventure! Here, the past comes alive through captivating storytelling that sparks imaginations and turns pupils into lifelong explorers of human history. Guided by passionate specialists, students don’t just memorize dates; they develop sharper analytical minds, master the art of debate and learn to write powerful essays.
The curriculum is designed as a joyful, two-year journey across Years 7 and 8, packed with flexibility for curious minds to dive into podcasts, library treasures, and even AI-assisted research.
Year 7:
In an exciting team-up with the English department, pupils travel back to World War One. They piece together the puzzle of alliances, investigate the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, and explore trench life alongside the groundbreaking arrival of tank warfare. It’s the perfect playground for learning how to grill historical sources for the truth.
Year 8:
The drama ramps up as students step into the tumultuous world of the Tudors! They untangle Henry VIII’s infamous "Great Matter" and the Reformation, before tracking the royal rollercoasters of Edward VI and Mary I. The year culminates in the golden era of Queen Elizabeth I, exploring everything from the Spanish Armada to the unique triumphs of a female monarch.
Throughout this journey, students become history detectives—weighing evidence, spotting biases, and learning to build beautifully balanced arguments. While Year 8s do sit an exam to confidently pave their way into senior school, the real magic is in the process. With senior teachers regularly dropping by and a vibrant community spirit, it’s no wonder so many pupils fall in love with the subject and happily choose History for their GCSEs!
Geography
Geography at Bede’s is a joyful, hands-on exploration of how people and our brilliant planet interact! Inspired by Michael Palin’s belief that geography "illuminates the present and prepares us for the future," the department turns pupils into real-world detectives. Through active, creative learning, students develop a deep sense of environmental stewardship and a lifelong fascination with the world.
The curriculum is packed with exciting adventures across Years 7 and 8:
Year 7:
The journey kicks off with Rivers, featuring edible geology like valley and waterfall cakes, play-dough modeling, and acting out erosion! Best of all, pupils take field trips to the nearby Cuckmere River and design their own project on its estuary management. Next up is Transport and Industry, where students debate massive projects like HS2 and trace the global journey of Apple iPhones. Summer brings a trip to the stunning cliffs of Birling Gap to study Coasts, exploring how caves, arches, and stacks form.
Year 8:
Budding meteorologists start with Weather and climate, learning how to record elements and decode British weather patterns. The excitement ramps up in the spring with Plate Tectonics, diving into the fiery world of volcanoes and earthquakes while comparing how different countries respond to natural hazards. Finally, the year wraps up with Population, where students look at global crowding and dive into a fascinating case study on India’s growth.
By blending outdoor adventures with classroom creativity, Bede’s doesn't just teach geography; it gives pupils a new set of analytical eyes to appreciate the interconnectedness of our world. It’s a vibrant, challenge-filled journey that equips children with the skills to understand their place in the environment and confidently step into the future!
Music
Music at Bede’s Prep is all about turning up the volume on pupils’ own tastes! By diving into the contemporary tracks and video game soundtracks they already love, senior pupils embark on a joyful, tech-fueled journey into music composition, performance, and evaluation.
The Year 7 and 8 curriculum is a vibrant passport to global sounds:
Year 7:
Pupils kick off as pop music maestros, unpacking the magic of killer riffs, memorable melodies, and interactive music videos. They then get creative with acoustic cover versions, jazz chord sequences, and walking bass lines. The rhythm truly drops when they explore African drumming, polyrhythms, and minimalism, wrapping up the year by celebrating special occasions with the infectious call-and-response beats of the Nile Delta!
Year 8:
The cinematic adventure begins! Budding maestros decode film music—learning how character motifs and sound effects manipulate our emotions. Next, they paint with sound through impressionist music, experimenting with whole-tone scales and dreamy chord clusters. The year finishes with a celebration of stylish improvisation, global ragas, and a magical study of "nocturnes" to see how artists describe the night.
Beyond the classroom, the department is buzzing with energy. Whether pupils are jamming in ensembles, tackling music theory, or preparing for prestigious music scholarships, there is a stage for everyone. From the wildly popular inter-section music competition and festive carol services to rockin' year-group plays and community charity concerts, Bede's ensures that music is a shared, celebratory experience.
Ultimately, it’s a department where young musicians don't just learn notes - they find their unique voice, rock out with friends and develop a lifelong, joyful soundtrack for their futures!
Drama
Drama at Bede’s is an absolute celebration of creativity under the banner of "Drama for All!" Here, the stage is a magical, safe space where every single child can build massive confidence, laugh with friends, and learn the beautiful art of empathy. Led by passionate theatre specialists, the department is all about scaling up the fun and complexity as pupils grow, ensuring everyone gets a true taste of the theatrical spotlight.
The Year 7 and 8 curriculum is packed with exciting, collaborative storytelling:
For those dreaming of centre stage at senior school, the Drama Masterclass is the ultimate playground. Swapping between prep and senior theatres, pupils prepare for scholarships, collaborate with senior GCSE students and tackle thrilling performance challenges.
Year 7:
Pupils jump into an explosion of performance styles! They master the art of freeze-framing, physical theatre, and voice control. The real magic happens when they pop on Trestle Theatre masks to explore non-verbal storytelling, dive into performance poetry, and analyze live theatre shows that connect with their English lessons.
Year 8:
The drama steps up as students take the director's chair or act as stage managers! They research legendary theatre practitioners, dive into diverse scripts, and work toward a spectacular, large-cast final play or musical. For the tech-loving kids, there are awesome opportunities to run the sound, lighting, and set design.
Add in vibrant co-curricular drama clubs and popular LAMDA lessons, and you have a department buzzing with energy. Whether a pupil takes a small step in speaking up or leaps into a starring role, Bede's makes sure every child leaves Year 8 knowing how to project their voice, share their brilliant ideas, and shine bright!
Dance
Dance at Bede’s Prep is a joyful, high-energy celebration of movement where every child can find their groove! From Nursery all the way to Year 8, the school bursts with rhythm, offering everything from Ballet, Contemporary, and Street dance to Tap, Musical Theatre and Jazz. Whether pupils are dancing purely for the sheer fun of it or dreaming of a dazzling career in the performing arts, Bede’s provides the ultimate launchpad.:
The absolute highlights of the year are the exhilarating performance opportunities. The annual Dance Showcase is a spectacular, professionally run event where dancers leap onto the stage to perform custom choreography for cheering friends and family - building massive teamwork skills and stage confidence.**
Top-tier training
Dancers receive top-tier training in Ballet (building classical strength), Modern/Jazz (fostering versatility), and Tap (mastering rhythm and timing), with the chance to earn prestigious RAD and ISTD qualifications.
The Legat Connection:
Aspiring stars can even audition to train weekly with the renowned Bede’s Legat Dance Academy at the Senior School, diving into advanced Contemporary and pointe work. It's the perfect stepping stone for future dance scholarships!
The Choreography Competition
This lets pupils take the reins! They get to choose their own music, design costumes, and mix up styles in solos or group numbers, letting their imaginations run completely free. Add in the Saturday Legat Associates program - where dancers can rehearse in gorgeous senior studios and perform alongside a full dance company - and it’s clear that Bede's is a place where dance dreams truly come alive!
PE
PE at Bede’s is an absolute celebration of what our amazing bodies can do! Designed as a vibrant, two-year journey across Years 7 and 8, the curriculum swaps unrealistic visual pressures for pure physical joy, holistic wellbeing, and fitness for life. Whether sprinting up hills or diving for a volleyball, every pupil learns to take proud ownership of their physical and mental health.
Ultimately, Bede's PE department shapes wonderfully gracious winners and resilient triers. By embedding a deep understanding of diet, nutrition, and body systems into active play, pupils head off to senior school with healthy minds, happy bodies, and a lifelong love for staying active!
Cross Country:
Making the most of our gorgeous location, pupils open their eyes and their lungs on the South Downs and local beaches! Every fitness level is celebrated as a "squad," turning Fartlek and interval runs into a supportive team adventure.
Basketball:
This fast-paced module is total fun, packing in lay-ups, dribbling drills, and reaction balls. It’s the ultimate way to boost hand-eye-feet coordination and build rock-solid camaraderie.
Gymnastics:
Students leap into strength, agility, and balance! Catering to all abilities on the floor, vault, and trampoline, gymnastics serves as a wonderful outlet for creative choreography, boosting self-esteem along the way.
Volleyball:
Stepping up as the senior racquet-sport twist, volleyball is the ultimate, self-consciousness-free leveller. Pupils use any part of their bodies to keep the ball flying, laughing and communicating as a team.
Athletics:
Summer brings the joy of running faster, throwing further, and jumping higher. The focus is all about personal bests and competing against yourself.
Computing
Computing at Bede’s Prep is an absolute tech-adventure! Years 7 and 8 step into the shoes of inventors, coders and system thinkers, using cutting-edge technology to design human-centred solutions for the real world.
The digital world is a playground, but safety comes first. Students become cyber-savvy heroes by mastering proactive cybersecurity practices, spotting phishing scams, and managing their digital footprints to stay safe and collaborative online.
AI & Content Creation:
Creativity takes center stage as students utilize progressive AI software like Canva to design dazzling graphics, multimedia presentations, and animations, alongside exploring the ethics of Machine Learning.
Coding & Python Mastery:
Pupils discover the joy of logical thinking, building complex algorithms, and mastering rigorous debugging strategies. Year 8s take the lead by diving deep into Python, learning to manipulate variables and handle data like pro programmers.
Robotics & Drones in Action:
Using Design Thinking, students solve thrilling real-world challenges, like engineering a drone search-and-rescue operation! Pupils program flight paths using online simulators, experiment with motors, and code Micro:bit-enabled robots (including Lego Spike and Bitbots) to navigate using ultrasonic and temperature sensors. They even use Tinkercad 3D printing software to manufacture their own custom robot parts!
Bede’s blends computational logic with pure creative imagination. By the time they graduate from Year 8, these young tech enthusiasts aren't just prepared for future STEAM careers - they are confident, innovative, and ready to shape the digital landscape of tomorrow.
Philosophy & Religion
Theology, Philosophy, and Religion (TPR) at Bede’s is the ultimate playground for curious minds! Far from just memorizing facts, this vibrant subject invites pupils to jump headfirst into life’s biggest, most thrilling questions. Where did we come from? What is the meaning of existence? Led by a team of deeply passionate teachers, TPR doesn't tell students what to think, but instead empowers them with the awesome tools to think for themselves.
TPR at Bede’s is all about celebrating self-expression and building critical thinking skills. By the time students move on, they are empathetic, thoughtful individuals who know how to navigate the complex, interconnected world around them with a sense of wonder and deep respect for others!
Philosophy:
Budding thinkers get to tackle fascinating real-world puzzles, exploring morality, societal rules, and ethical judgments. From debating stereotypes and the rule of law to exploring arguments for and against religion, students learn how to construct rock-solid, evidence-based arguments. Along the way, they master the rules of respectful debate, turning the classroom into a lively space where open-mindedness rules the day.
Religion:
Alongside philosophical big ideas, pupils explore a gorgeous tapestry of world views. By diving into diverse religious beliefs, teachings, and global practices, students discover how faith continues to shape cultures and societies today. It’s a joyful journey of comparing and contrasting different perspectives that supercharges their empathy.
Art & Design
Welcome to Years 7 and 8 Art and Design. At Bede's, we believe every student is an artist! Forget the myth that you’re either "born creative" or you’re not. Here, creativity isn't a rare superpower reserved for a chosen few - it’s a spark inside everyone, waiting to be unleashed.
In our vibrant art studio, the focus is on "intelligent making" and critical thinking, turning pupils into confident visual explorers who are confident creating and evaluating visual ideas.
But what does being creative actually mean? It’s not just about what you can do with a paintbrush; it’s a way of thinking. We want you to see yourself as a creative problem-solver and decision-maker, a mindset that will help you shine across all your subjects.
We offer a range of techniques, including:
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The Classics: Painting, collage, sculpture, and drawing.
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The Crafts: Ceramics, printmaking, and textiles.
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The Modern: Digital media, illustration, and ICT.
We’ll hunt for inspiration everywhere - looking at original masterpieces and reproductions, browsing the internet, and going on exciting adventures to local museums and galleries.
PSHE
The Bede’s Prep curriculum is designed to foster both academic excellence and personal development, ensuring pupils grow into resilient, confident and responsible individuals.
Central to this approach is the Jigsaw Curriculum, a whole-school programme that integrates Personal, Social, Health, and Economic (PSHE) education with compulsory Relationships, Sex, and Health Education (RSHE). This framework combines emotional literacy, mindfulness, social skills, and spiritual development. Throughout the academic year, all year groups simultaneously explore six core themes at an age-appropriate level:
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Being in the World – Understanding one's role within the wider community.
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Celebrating Difference – Embracing diversity and mutual respect.
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Dreams and Goals – Cultivating ambition and perseverance.
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Health and Well-being – Maintaining physical and mental wellness.
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Relationships – Building positive, safe, and respectful connections, both offline and online.
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Growth and Change – Navigating the natural transitions of growing up with confidence.
To complement this, the school partners with 'Votes for Schools', an initiative that provides pupils with a platform to engage with current affairs. This programme encourages democratic participation, deepens understanding of British values, and teaches the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in a diverse society.
Bede’s Prep aims to cultivate a lifelong love of learning infused with curiosity and purpose, operating on the principle that active engagement yields the greatest rewards. The curriculum equips pupils with the practical skills needed to navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing world, including managing internet safety, resisting bullying, and understanding social justice. Ultimately, the school provides a secure, supportive environment where pupils develop the independence, empathy, and resilience necessary to thrive as active members of the global community.