Jack

I joined Bede’s when I was in Year 6 - at the Prep School. It was Mrs Byrne (Head of Tennis at Bede’s) who first introduced me to Bede’s. She was coaching me outside of school and told me about the opportunities both in tennis and academically at the school. I visited for a taster day and knew it was the place for me.

I am a Day pupil in Deis House. Deis provides a friendly environment of like minded people who support each other. When I first joined the Senior School, I missed the welcome event so I was worried that I didn’t even know how to get to my house! But I asked around and soon settled in. Everyone at Bede’s is welcoming and understanding.

Alongside the core subjects, I am currently studying GCSE PE, Business Studies, Spanish and Tennis Academy where I have an additional training session. Tennis is my main passion. The volume of tennis that I get to play within the curriculum, alongside a rigorous academic programme, is fantastic. Academically, I enjoy Maths and Business the most and wish to continue these subjects into A Level. All of my teachers and coaches are genuinely interested in supporting pupils to achieve their goals. This is helped by the small class sizes, which provides plenty of 1-1 focus on individual progress. 

I am incredibly proud of my own progress so far in my time at Bede’s. One of my greatest achievements has been our tennis team qualifying for the National Championships. We had such fun getting to that stage, and the competition itself was a brilliant opportunity. The teams we have here at Bede’s have bonded so well and we always encourage each other to achieve our very best. In general, Bede’s has helped me build my confidence and come out of my shell which has enabled me to strive even further in tennis.

I am currently injured and have not been able to compete or train as I usually would. However, I have found different things to do in the huge variety of options within the co-curricular programme at Bede’s. I have been focusing on swimming, athletics and more academic activities to make the most of my time and come back to tennis stronger than ever. Whether you want to try something new or invest more time in an existing passion, there really is an activity for everyone.

I am hoping to achieve my goals at GCSE and A Level and go on to study at an American University, where I can combine academic studies with tennis. There is a careers department at Bede’s who can help you with the process of applying to a university abroad. Beyond that, I would love to one day become a professional tennis player! But as long as I’m playing tennis, I’m sure I will be happy. I will keep training hard and see where it takes me.