Bedales School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bedales School |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Address | |
|
Church Road
Steep
,
,
GU32 2DG
England
|
|
| Information | |
| Type | Private boarding and day school Public school |
| Motto | Work of Each for Weal of All |
| Established | 1893 |
| Founder | John Haden Badley |
| Department for Education URN | 116527 Tables |
| Headmaster | Will Goldsmith |
| Gender | Co-educational |
| Age | 13 to 18 |
| Enrolment | 761 |
| Annual tuition | £43,000 |
Bedales School is a special kind of private school in England. It's located in a village called Steep, near Petersfield in Hampshire. Students can live at the school (boarding) or travel there each day (day school).
It was started in 1893 by Amy Badley and John Haden Badley. They wanted to create a different kind of school. They felt that the schools back in the Victorian times were too strict. Bedales School has welcomed both boys and girls since 1898.
History of Bedales School
Bedales School began in 1893. It was founded by Amy Garrett Badley and John Haden Badley. They wanted a school that was more open and modern. At first, the school was in a rented house. This house was near Lindfield.
In 1899, the founders bought a large piece of land. It was in Steep, where the school is now. They built a new school there. It even had new electric lights! This new school opened in 1900. Over the years, more buildings have been added. Some old farm buildings were even moved to the school.
Bedales also has schools for younger children. A school for younger kids, Dunhurst, started in 1902. It followed the ideas of Maria Montessori, a famous educator. She even visited the school in 1919! Later, a primary school called Dunannie was added in the 1950s.
The school was open to students from all backgrounds. It didn't have a church or chapel. This made it popular with families who had different beliefs. Many famous families sent their children there. These included the Darwins and Huxleys. The school also became known in other countries. Students from Europe came to study there in the 1920s.
Bedales was quite small at first. The buildings in 1900 were made for 150 students. In the 1960s and 1970s, the school grew. It went from 240 students to 465 students.
Exploring the Bedales Campus
Since 1900, Bedales School has been on a large estate. It is about 120 acres (0.49 km2) big. The campus is in Steep, near Petersfield. It has many different areas for students. There are sports fields, orchards, and woodlands. There is also a nature reserve.
The campus has some very old and special buildings. Two of them are called Grade I listed buildings. This means they are very important and protected. They were designed by Ernest Gimson. These buildings are Lupton Hall (built in 1911) and the Memorial Library (built in 1921).
Bedales also has some cool, modern buildings. These have won awards for their design:
- The Olivier Theatre, built in 1997.
- The Orchard Building, built in 2005.
- The Art and Design Building, built in 2017.
Famous People Who Went to Bedales
Many interesting people have studied at Bedales School. Here are just a few:
- Lily Allen (born 1985), a popular singer.
- Kirstie Allsopp (born 1971), a TV presenter.
- Jamie Campbell Bower (born 1988), an actor and singer.
- Gyles Brandreth (born 1948), a journalist and TV presenter.
- Daniel Day-Lewis (born 1957), an actor who has won many awards.
- Cara Delevingne (born 1992), a model and actress.
- Minnie Driver (born 1970), an actress.
- Johnny Flynn (born 1983), a musician and actor.
- Roger Lloyd-Pack (1944–2014), an actor known for Only Fools and Horses.
- Juno Temple (born 1989), an actress.
- Natalia Tena (born 1984), an actress and musician.
- John Wyndham (1903–1969), a famous novelist.
