Bedales > New Buildings > New Buildings

Developing our buildings

A history of improvement

Bedales has successfully improved its facilities over the years.

We have transformed the science laboratories and our sports facilities, including the swimming pool, and we have also created roomy and attractive social common rooms close to the Quad (the main assembly hall).

The Quad, as its name suggests, was originally an outdoor courtyard at the heart of the 1900 building. The arcaded covered way, leading round the Quad to the dining hall, has now been insulated from the assembly hall with elegant glazing, thanks to the generosity of Old Bedalians.

Planning for the future

 Plans for future development have emerged from a three-year process of consultation with staff and students (1999-2002).

Once a medium-term strategy had been agreed, we began the search for an architect who would share our vision. The competition for such an architect in itself proved fascinating with eight short-listed practices competing.

The winners, Walters & Cohen, impressed us all with their intuitive grasp of Bedalian values, idiosyncrasies and ways of life, latching on also to such fundamentals as sustainability, truth to materials and a desire for a strong sense of interconnectedness in the design of the new buildings.

Central to our building plans is the replacement of all the flat-roofed buildings at the north side of the Orchard – the ‘village green’ that lies at the heart of the school – with three-triple storey buildings that will complement our magnificent Library and Theatre.

A steering group of teachers ensured that the building programme does not disrupt teaching and learning.

For a description of the new Orchard Building, click here.

The timetable

 A phased programme of development has been planned. The first phase of the Orchard Building (Teaching and Administration) was completed in August 2005; the second, adjoining, part of that development will contain Art & Design; and an ambitious development of the Music School, among other projects, is in our sights.

The phasing depends, of course, on funding. Bedales has no endowment, but our balance sheet is robust enough to carry a level of commercial debt, and we have been very grateful for support from Old Bedalians and others. Since the time of our founder, J H Badley, far-sighted individuals have helped to fund the unique educational vision of Bedales. If you would like to be remembered as one of them, please contact us.

To read about our future plans, click here.

Bedales Schools are a Founding Member of the British Council for School Environments, a new membership organisation made up of local authorities, schools, construction companies, architects and others involved in, and concerned about, the design and build process in the education sector.