Welcome to The Beacon curriculum pages. Here you will find a brief curriculum outline or philosophy for each department and also, for many departments, web pages of their own featuring pupils’ work, current goings-on and ideas for the future.

The school prides itself on the breadth of education which it offers its pupils. The enthusiasm and commitment of the staff ensures that an enormous number of opportunities are made available to the boys.

The curriculum is organised so that it more than satisfies the requirements of the National Curriculum in all subjects. It is also designed to equip our boys with skills and experiences which will prepare them for their future lives.

In the Foundation Stage (Nursery and Reception) the boys participate in activities that encompass the six areas of learning; Communication, Language & Literacy, Mathematical Development, Creative Development, Knowledge & Understanding of the World, Personal & Social Emotional and Physical Development. From year 1 all boys take Mathematics, English, Science, Geography, History, RS, Music, Art, CDT, ICT and PSHE. French is taught to all boys from year 2 and Latin to all boys from year 6.

In Reception there are two specialist taught sessions of PE and games and in years 1 and 2 there are three. In years 3 and up there are three sessions each week for Games and one session for PE.

During years 7 and 8 boys are prepared for entry to public school through the Beacon Certificate of Achievement (BCA), Senior School scholarships and Common Entrance (CE). With so few boys now required to take CE we have introduced the BCA. This scheme follows the CE syllabus for academic subjects, but it also encompasses all non-academic subjects, including a leadership aspect. All boys will be prepared for their chosen Senior School.  (See link on right for full details.)

Moira Laffey
Director of Studies