Heritage
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John Haden Badley, aged 28, opened Bedales School in a rented house at Lindfield, near Haywards Heath. He was assisted by educationalist Oswald Powell.
The Bedales library bookplate of the bee and rose is created, and used on the 1897 prospectus.
The first girls are admitted to Bedales, realising the original plan for the school to welcome girls as well as boys.
Main block is built to the design of EP Warren - “An estate of 120 acres had been bought in the village of Steep, near Petersfield in Hampshire, with a house on it, big enough to accommodate fifty girls. Here were built, to our own plans, school buildings sufficient for the housing of 80 boys and the teaching of the whole school” (Bedales: A Pioneer School, J H Badley, p71).
The cricket pavilion was designed and built by three boys and the ‘spirit that built the Pav’ lived on as an inspiration for others.
Enlargement and extension of Steephurst and building of Steepcot for staff accommodation to designs by WF Unsworth.
New Hall (now Lupton Hall) designed by Ernest Gimson and built by Geoffrey Lupton.
285 Bedalians served in the armed forces (of many European countries) during the war; 30 received decorations; 66 students, two teaching staff and two domestic staff were killed; a further 19 men and 62 women were aiding the War Effort in civilian occupations
Montessori classroom at Bedales. The Junior School received a visit from Maria Montessori herself.
The Memorial Library, designed by Ernest Gimson, built by Geoffrey Lupton, supervised by Sidney Barnsley. Much of the furniture was made in the Froxfield workshop originally established by Geoffrey Lupton, and later taken over by Edward Barnsley.
Opening of Horsley Laboratories (built in memory of OBs, Siward and Oswald), constructed by the Bedales Estate staff. This was the first occasion when the school was put on show for parents; 120 came to this first Parents’ Day which ended with tea on Steephurst Lawn.
Much of Autumn term 1938 was spent in preparations in case of war. Trenches were dug just below the Church path, gas masks fitted for all and arrangements made to black out all the windows.
Dunannie "a large rambling house” was bought. Some of its land was sold off as building plots for private housing, and the money was used to finance the future development at Dunannie (now Bedales Pre-prep).
Dunannie (now Pre-prep) opens, with Sophy Tatchell (pictured left) as the first Head. The other teacher is Gill Wicksteed (waving).
Simon Lecture Theatre (SLT) opened. Two chemistry labs and the SLT, partly funded from the generosity of Winifred Simon (nee Levy, OB) in memory of her husband, Eric. Bedales Chronicle claimed science “is becoming the subject of the future at Bedales.”
John Badley celebrated his 100th birthday
New classroom blocks opened to accommodate increase in size of school from two to three sets per year, and the increased intake at 16+.
The Bonhams Barn, now more usually referred to as the Bakehouse, was reconstructed in the Barnyard in 1984-5. Students who had been involved in the reconstruction of the Sotherington Barn in their first year in the school, and were now in the Sixth Form, took charge of the project.
Opening ceremony of the Orchard Building as the new administration and teaching space. ’Bards of Passion and of Mirth’ was composed by Nicholas Gleed, (then) Director of Music, for the occasion and performed by the chamber choir and orchestra.
Bedales Assessed Courses (BACs) are introduced as a more interesting and challenging alternative to some of the GCSEs offered.
The first beneficiary of the John Badley Foundation (JBF) joins Bedales on a fully funded bursary. The JBF is founded to provide transformational opportunities for young people to attend Bedales who would not otherwise have been able to consider an independent school education.
The Sam Banks Pavilion, in memory of OB Sam Banks, opened. Students and Old Bedalians built the structure with support by specialists.
The new Art & Design Building opened. Then Head Keith Budge wrote: “Given that all our permanent buildings should be physical embodiments of the school’s ethos, I think it meets the test well. Of course, this new creative hub of the school just would not have been possible to build without philanthropic support from the Bedales community for which we are immensely grateful”
Fiona Read starts as Head of Bedales Pre-prep, formerly Head of the Primary School at the British School of Tokyo.
Having been Acting Head of Bedales since September 2021, Will Goldsmith is confirmed as the Head of Bedales.
Following in-depth collaboration across the Bedales community and informed by educationalists in the UK and abroad, the school publishes its 10-year strategy, ‘Cultivating a community of learners’, Bedales 2023-33. With thanks to Matthew Rice OB for the accompanying illustration.
On the site of the old gym (and retaining the façade), the new Assembly Hall was officially opened by the incoming Head Student team on Parents’ Day. Guests enjoyed a variety of performances by students involved in Dance in the new space.
Clare Kirkham is appointed as Head of Bedales Prep to succeed Colin Baty who took up a role as Head of Danes Hill School. Clare was previously Head of Junior School at Downsend.
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Explore the rich heritage of our school through digitised historical publications that chronicle more than 130 years of Bedales life. The archives contain the complete collection of The Bedales Record (1894-1935), the school's official magazine published throughout John Badley's tenure as founder and headmaster, alongside the student-led Bedales Chronicle from 1907 onwards. These invaluable records offer fascinating insights into school traditions, student life, and the evolution of our unique educational philosophy. With ongoing digitisation projects, we're constantly expanding this treasure trove of Bedales history for current and future generations to discover and enjoy.
Inspiring a generation of critical thinkers
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We aim to be true to the school's traditions while ensuring they remain pertinent for the next decade. Bedales is a school with a pioneering educational tradition. John Badley's ideals are as important to us today as they were when the school was set up in 1893, reminding us that Bedales is a school built on profoundly communitarian principles. This breadth of vision and willingness to buck convention continues undiminished, as we shape our work to meet the challenges of the day. Today we aim to have a similar courage to live by those ideals, pursuing innovations in teaching and learning and staying true to Badley's ideal of educating the whole person in 'head, hand and heart'.
We’d love to share what makes Bedales special for your child. Let us know their interests and stage of education - and we'll tailor information just for you.