Beechwood School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school for children aged 3 – 18, which comprises a Nursery, Preparatory School and Senior School, with boarding for children aged 11 – 18. Beechwood is situated on a 23-acre campus in

Tunbridge Wells Royal Tunbridge Wells is a town in Kent, England, southeast of central London. It lies close to the border with East Sussex on the northern edge of the High Weald, whose sandstone geology is exemplified by the rock formation High Rocks. T ...

Kent Kent is a county in South East England and one of the home counties. It borders Greater London to the north-west, Surrey to the west and East Sussex to the south-west, and Essex to the north across the estuary of the River Thames; it faces ...

. Admission to the Senior School is via assessment in mathematics, English, non-verbal reasoning, and creative writing. Ages of admission are at 11+, 13+ and 16+. The School serves the local area in West Kent and East Sussex, but welcomes boarders from many different nations.

History

The origins of Beechwood House date back to 1855, located on Calverley Mile Road (now Pembury Road) amid a number of other Italian style Victorian villas of the time. The School celebrated its centenary in 2015. This was marked by alumni events and the collation of artifacts for a time capsule to be opened in 2065. Founded by the

Society of the Sacred Heart , image = RSCJnuevo.jpg, , image_size = 150px , caption = , abbreviation = Post-nominal letters: RSCJ , formation = , founder = Saint Sr. Madeleine Sophie Barat, R.S.C.J. ...

in 1915, Beechwood retains its founders' traditions but today welcomes pupils of all faiths. Beechwood's Headmaster is Mr Justin Foster-Gandey.

Notable former pupils

* Fatima Akilu, Nigerian psychologist and author * Deirdre Clancy, costume designer * Julia Cumberlege, Baroness Cumberlege (nee Camm), politician * Miatta Fahnbulleh, economist *

Pauline Gower Pauline Mary de Peauly Gower Fahie (22 July 1910 – 2 March 1947) was a British pilot and writer who established the women's branch of the Air Transport Auxiliary during the Second World War. Early life and education Pauline Mary de Peauly ...

, aviator *

Louise Mensch Louise Daphne Mensch (''née'' Bagshawe; born 28 June 1971) is a British blogger, novelist, and former Conservative Member of Parliament. In the 1990s she became known as a writer of chick lit novels under her maiden name Louise Bagshawe. She ...

, author and former MP *

Libby Purves Elizabeth Mary Purves, (born 2 February 1950) is a British radio presenter, journalist and author. Early life and career Born in London, a diplomat's daughter, Purves was raised in her mother's Catholic faith and educated at convent school ...

, journalist

References

External links

Profile
on the

Independent Schools Council The Independent Schools Council (ISC) is a non-profit lobby group that represents over 1,300 schools in the United Kingdom's independent education sector. The organisation comprises seven independent school associations and promotes the busi ...

website Schools in Royal Tunbridge Wells Independent schools in Kent Educational institutions established in 1915 1915 establishments in England {{Kent-school-stub