Bede's Senior School case studies (25)

Impact of partnership work done in 2023 (ISC annual Census 2024)

• 6 state schools involved
• 201-500 state school pupils involved
• 400 staff hours given

Academies or free schools sponsored

• bede's senior school

Impact Statement

In addition to its bursarial contributions, the trust is involved in a range of activities in support of its charitable objectives including providing support for and partnership with local schools as well as fund raising and volunteering support of charities in the local and wider community.

We provide specialist teaching in Spanish, Cooking, Ceramics, Science, Maths and Literacy to a number of state primary and secondary schools in the area. The impact of this is that students gain a greater knowledge and understanding of subjects in the curriculum. They build up confidence, motivation and the support raises aspirations. Reading and help with maths in primary schools increases reading and numeracy levels. 

Curriculum support for teachers helps enrich professional practice, expanding subject knowledge, shared training and CPD saving costs and time and is of mutual benefit to all. This is particularly important for small departments. 

Specialist sport teaching and coaching helps to hone pupil skills and drives ambition and motivation. Organised sporting events increases participation in outdoor activity and a greater understanding of a healthy lifestyle. 

Specialist equipment helps to capture student imagination and focus on what is possible. Skills are strengthened and broadened. Lending of equipment ensures that teachers can replicate the same lessons when back at school. 

The use of school transport enables various schools to go on trips that would not otherwise be possible. This year we have provided transport for 13 different schools at a total saving of £5,467 out of their school budgets. 

Our staff offer at least 6 schools the benefit of their expertise on leadership and governance. The benefit to staff is the knowledge and understanding of challenge within the state system. 

The trust are heavily involved with East Sussex Virtual school, the foster placement service, Lansdowne children's home and Homefield cottage. We have seven LAC children boarding at the school  Bede's works closely with the Royal National Springboard Bursary Foundation and all seven children are on full bursaries. 

Once a term we provide support on a Saturday morning for LAC students and their carers partaking in activities such as animal management, ceramics, film and media, Photography and Science. In the holidays we also invite groups of children to use our sports facilities. This option is also used by Landsdowne Children's home and Homefield Cottage. 

Bede's animal management unit supports the People's Trust for Endangered species and The Sussex Wildlife Trust. The zoo has hosted up to 12 different school groups in the past year, teaching students about the care needed for such animals. The unit has provided work experience for 3 different schools in the area. 

Pupils at Bede's develop a strong sense of civic duty and a clear understanding of the values of charitable fund raising and volunteering. Pupils and staff devote considerable energies in raising money for various charities. The senior school raised £37,467 for both local and national charities as well as every lower sixth students partaking in 20 hours of community service. 

Last year every pupil went out into the community for Make a different day, helping out at over 40 different placements including charities, schools and local community projects.

We run a number of charitable events during the year including the Matthew Hobden Trust game, The Lions 'its a knockout' competition, Comic Relief sports day for local primary schools. Sports staff use their coaching qualifications for the benefit of local junior clubs including football and netball. 

The school has strong links with the local community of Upper Dicker and its environs. We maintain services to the church and village. We jointly run Dicker Day for the local residents as well as Carols on the green with many children volunteering to face paint, sing and perform, wrap presents and give out food.

We also contribute to the local environment, having launched our environmental committee who organise beach cleans, local gardening and combat ways to make our school a greener place. 

Student Teachers

We host many student teachers for placement and observation. They benefit from experienced teachers and subject experts. 

Overall impact to our school

Our pupils are taught that with privilege comes responsibility and this is their opportunity to give something to others. By teaching and helping others whether in the classroom or on the sports field, they are building their social, teaching and communication skills. They are increasing subject knowledge ethical values and altruism. 

Our teachers

The impact of teaching across different phases, demographics and cohorts, provides a local network of subject related specialisms, resources, training and engagement.