Some pomp and circumstance in the sunshine on Monday as I was invited to Harrow School to witness the presentation of their new Banners in front of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. HRH was there to represent the Royal Family, whereas I was there to represent The Beacon, invited as I was due to one of our old boys, Colville Wood (brother of Kaia in Reception Blue), who is current Head Boy and Head of Corps at Harrow and who led the ceremony. There was a lot of pressure on Colville; not least the audience of the entire school community and invited guests, but mainly the order of commands and following a tightly choreographed drill ceremony. But he did brilliantly, was word and instruction perfect and represented his school (present and past) and himself superbly – I was very proud of him.
As Colville completes his final year of schooling, we have welcomed all of our 3+ and 4+ candidates for assessment these past two days, prepared as they are to start their own educational journey with us in September 2027. We are not expecting our prospective boys and girls to be experts in the works of Tolkien or Rowling when they come to see us, as we simply assess age and stage development; can they respond to simple instruction, take turns, play collaboratively with others and understand age-appropriate vocabulary. And of course, if they come from nice Beacon families that helps enormously. With 21 Beacon brothers and sisters taking priority for our 30 Nursery and 20 Reception places for next year, being Team Beacon has never been more significant. It might be our decision to go co-ed, it might be a slight uptick in birth rate demographics this year, but whatever it is, the popularity of the school for current and new parents gives great assurance as we further our development plans and ambition for The Beacon into the future. We may not have any royal association but the tradition, consistency, identity and spirit of patronage in this school is clearly as relevant and desirable in 2026 as it always has been.
Have a good weekend,
Nick Baker