SCHOOL NOTES

From the Headmaster

Dear OSB,

As we approach the end of a very busy and successful term, it is appropriate to look back on some of the achievements of the past ten weeks and look forward to some highlights already in view for the New Year.

A huge amount has happened during the term, on the academic, cultural, pastoral, musical and sporting fronts. We have 125 students enrolled and hope to increase this next September. A consequence of our increasing numbers is that our boarding house is currently full! We have increased our boarding staff and refurbished many of the rooms and facilities. Moreover, we are exploring options for expansion, including the potential purchase of property in the village to create a dedicated sixth-form boarding house. This initiative is not just about increasing capacity, it is about fostering a nurturing and happy family atmosphere, things which are at the heart of our school community.

The academic momentum continues to gain pace, and classrooms have been a buzz of learning activity. I have reviewed a lot of the students’ work and sat in on many lessons, and it is clear that the focus is very much one of success and advancement, but in a controlled and empathetic way. A first check of year-group examination results in Years 7 to 10 shows some outstanding performances from a number of talented students as well as excellent progress in general. The public examination results in the summer were very pleasing and all our leavers achieved their choice of university. This academic year we already have two aspiring Oxbridge candidates.

Activity outside of the classroom has been significant as well, and this adds to a student’s ability to balance their time at school and experience so much of what we have to offer. The Duke of Edinburgh group is advancing through the programme well and we soon hope to have our first Gold Award winners. The outdoor education programme is developing a culture of outdoor awareness that promotes a healthy and sustainable view to the alternative of the classroom. The varied experiences achieved here are significant and life-enhancing as well.

In the sporting arena, we continue to develop and improve, and inter-school matches in badminton, volleyball, Eton fives and basketball have all taken place in leagues against sides not only from much larger schools, containing many older players, but also players who have representational honours. Such fixtures not only highlight our students’ talents but also spread the name of St Bees School far and wide. In addition, we recently welcomed onto the staff a female England rugby international player, whom we hope will inspire our students and help to elevate our rugby programme.

We have continued with our school trip programme and have seen the successful return of the group who went to Iceland and we have said Bon Voyage to the China trip students, who departed on the 5 December. They should have had a very happy and enriching experience. Plans for further visits both at home and overseas next year are in progress.

As many OSBs will be aware, the new government has decided to impose VAT on independent schools’ fees. We have developed a strategy to address this, and though there will inevitably be a slight increase in our fees to cover the VAT requirements, we shall not pass all the burden on to our parents. We are confident that we can sustain our growth and the quality of education we provide. Parental response to our intentions has so far been generally supportive.

Around the school there have been many improvements and we have now completed the first phase of the school security programme, ensuring that all on site can be safe and contained should the requirements for this arise. New showers and additional improvements have been made in School House and the heating systems in the main building have been overhauled, as has the swimming pool and the Sixth Form Centre. We have installed new projection and sound equipment in the Memorial Hall, and this now greatly adds to the facility as a place of multi-purpose usage.
 
As many OSBs may be aware, the school featured in an episode of Villages by the Sea, broadcast by the BBC on 16 December 2024. This gave invaluable publicity both to the school and the village.

I look forward to next year with great confidence and would like to extend a warm invitation to Old St Beghians to visit the school, through arrangement with Pam Rumney. We cherish these connections and look forward to building stronger ties with our alumni. Please do contact me if you would like to know more about the school’s progress. Your support is greatly appreciated.

I wish you all a healthy and happy 2025.

Andrew Keep, Interim Headmaster.

 

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The St Beghian Society    
St Bees School,    St Bees,    Cumbria,    CA27 0DS.

         Tel: (01946) 828093      Email: osb@stbeesschool.co.uk      Web: www.st-beghian-society.co.uk