Continuity of Education Allowance
Formerly known as the ‘Boarding School Allowance’, the Continuity of Education Allowance is available to H.M. Forces children, where parents are required to change locations on a regular basis and is designed to allow continuity of education. St. Bees School accepts this allowance as part of payment for the school fees and an additional bursary of up to 20% is also available through discussion with the School’s Bursar.
Academic scholarships may also be awarded in recognition of an outstanding performance in the 11+ entrance examination and interview. They are awarded to pupils entering School at age 11 and subject to good conduct and academic progress. Scholarships are tenable throughout the holder's career in the School. Entrance examinations normally take place at the end of February.
Boarding at St. Bees
We have five boarding houses; Bega and Abbots for the junior boys and girls aged 11-15. Lonsdale for the senior girls aged 16-18 and School House and Grindal for the senior boys aged 16-18. Mr. and Mrs Williams, our Junior Houseparents have three children of their own, two of whom attend St. Bees School. Mr. Williams comes from a military family and is, therefore, particularly sensitive to the needs of service children. All our Housestaff are very experienced, caring and dedicated individuals – well used to dealing with the particular needs of pupils living away from their families.
Each boarding house is welcoming, friendly and homely and pupils are encouraged to grow and develop both academically and socially, in a caring, family atmosphere. The House structure encourages pupils to become more independent as they grow up and to take responsibility both for themselves and others. In School, pupils are taught through a balanced programme of academic, physical and cultural opportunities. Our extended family creates an atmosphere of trust, tolerance and respect for others in comfortable accommodation.
The School believes that its boarding experience offers many valuable opportunities including:- Friendship.
- Independence.
- Tolerance.
- Self discipline.
- Teamwork.
- Stability.
- Academic support outside the classroom.
- Extra-curricular opportunities.
- Leadership opportunities.
- Preparation for life at university and onward into the adult world.
Successful boarding is a partnership of excellent co-operation between parents, pupils and Housestaff. Consequently, all our Housemasters and Housemistresses have regular and open contact with parents over the full range of educational, emotional and welfare issues.
Parent Contact
Parents are welcome to visit their children any time and just need to contact the Houseparents to confirm the details of their visit. There is plentiful accommodation for visiting parents in the village as St. Bees is the starting point of the famous Coast-to-Coast walk.
Pupils are able to telephone and e-mail parents during their free time and in-coming calls are welcomed on House.
Academic Life
Academic achievement is a focus for pupils at St. Bees. Each pupil is given every opportunity to exceed his or her expectations. Our curriculum has been developed to promote a breadth and depth of study, whilst encouraging independent learning and self-discipline. We seek to achieve the following:- A high level of staff support to promote, monitor and guide academic study.
- A personal Tutor for each individual pupil to discuss academic progress and related matters.
- To provide individual support for those with learning difficulties through our specialized Learning Support Unit.
- The opportunity for all pupils to access education beyond the classroom through lectures, visits, outside speakers and subject-specific events.
- To provide all pupils with clear, realistic advice and guidance on the options for Higher Education.
- To set a well structured, varied, workable and balanced timetable.
- To ensure that all pupils are computer literate
- To provide a challenging programme of extra curricular activities
- To offer a varied, well-organised sporting programme and an opportunity for taking part in our Outdoor Pursuits programme
- The opportunity to partake in the rich musical tradition of St. Bees School
Combined Cadet Force
All pupils in the Third and Fourth Forms (Years 9 & 10) are required to become members of the Combined Cadet Force. Thereafter, pupils may choose to remain in the Contingent or to undertake community service. Most choose to remain in the Contingent in order to complete their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and to train as NCO instructors. There are currently about 130 cadets, both boys and girls, in the CCF, divided between the two Army and RAF sections.
The Army section is proud to be badged to the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment. During the compulsory two years service all cadets gain the appropriate proficiency badges and, in addition, most become qualified to shoot in the School’s indoor 4 lane 25 yard firing range. Voluntary training and shooting weekends regularly take place, some in the School grounds and some on the military training area at Warcop.
The Contingent also participates in the annual Brigade Cadet Skills at Arms meeting on the ranges at Altcar. We also enter teams for the Brigade First Aid competition.
The RAF section regularly undertakes flying experience.
Our Officers are members of the teaching staff, assisted by volunteer helpers from outside, and we receive regular help from 40 Cadet Training Team who are based at Fulwood Barracks, Preston.
In the summer we host our own military skills competition ‘Bega Banga’, sponsored by the Brigade. Every CCF Contingent in the North West is invited to enter one or two teams of junior cadets and in 2010, we welcomed eighteen teams. A wide range of skills are tested, the teams camp overnight in the School grounds and the weekend concludes with a very popular tug o’ war competition. Prizes are supplied by the Cadets branch of 42 (NW) Brigade at Preston.
Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
The Contingent operates the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. All cadets are given the opportunity to achieve the Bronze level award by the end of the Fourth Form (Year 10), at the Contingent’s expense.
The Bronze expedition also forms part of the Army section proficiency syllabus. Most complete their Silver Award towards the beginning of their Lower Sixth year and many of those pursuing Gold Award complete it before they leave School. Expeditions take place in the beautiful Lake District National Park, which is, of course, on our doorstep and during the Fifth Form (Year 11) cadets are given the opportunity to complete the BTEC qualification in the Public Services and Music.
The Contingent is vibrant, we offer our cadets a wealth of opportunity and they seize it with both hands!