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 (formerly, until 1909, and still commonly 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 ...

Kent Kent is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England. It is bordered by Essex across the Thames Estuary to the north, the Strait of Dover to the south-east, East Sussex to the south-west, Surrey to the west, and Gr ...

. 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 The Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (; ), abbreviated RSCJ, is a Catholic centralized religious institute of consecrated life of pontifical right for women established in France by Madeleine Sophie Barat in 1800. History Madeleine Soph ...

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, MP and economist * Pauline Gower, 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 private schools in the United Kingdom. The organisation comprises seven independent school associations and promotes the business interests of its ...

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