Upper School

An exciting brand-new reading initiative has launched during the Autumn Term 2024 to enrich our pupils' learning through a passion for literature. The aim of the programme is to create a Buzz About Books by encouraging our boys and girls in Years 7 & 8 to broaden their repertoire of book choice and genres, to develop their literacy skills as well as a lifelong love for books. A minimum of six books are required to be read over the course of a year from a carefully crafted task list for each year group, to inspire and challenge pupils.

Our Shining Future Entrepreneurs project is a fun and engaging educational enterprise that is based around the topics of an adult MBA with an aim to foster business skills and entrepreneurship. It is a three week schedule of workshops across different business topics, culminating in a Dragons Den style new business presentation. It is designed to introduce our Upper School pupils to vital aspects of running a business, empowering them to develop real-world business skills at a young age.

In English, Year 8 participate in a BBC Young Reporters initiative, acting as News Reporters for the day. They begin by familiarising themselves with current affairs, researching newspapers and digital media sources. In pairs, they agree a news story angle using a current news topic as inspiration. With a tight deadline of going to press that day, the boys work as journalists, setting up interviews, planning and writing columns. They are tasked with submitting engaging news stories with catchy headlines, supported by imagery.

Our annual MasterCook Competition allows our budding chefs to step up to the plate to show off their outstanding culinary skills learnt in Cooking and Nutrition lessons. Each year, special guests are invited to support and judge the finals. In 2023-2024, we welcomed Laurie Gear (Chef Patron of the Michelin-starred restaurant, The Artichoke in Amersham), and Charlie Baxter (Co-Founder of Pluma restaurant in Amersham). The winners' recipes are collated within a MasterCook cookbook to share with our Beacon community.

In Years 7 and 8, our pupils are given greater responsibility and independence in making decisions. They are encouraged to mentor younger years and to continuously act as role models throughout their final two years at the school. They are also provided with opportunities to take on leadership roles, such as Head Boy or Girl, Head of House, IT Champions, Library Monitors and Head Chorister. All pupils are provided with multiple opportunities to build on their leadership skills across lessons and projects.

Each year, Upper School pupils audition to participate in The Beacon 'Young Musician of the Year' Competition, performing independently by singing or playing an instrument of their choice. A visiting Music-industry professional adjudicates the competition after finalists have been selected in the preliminary rounds by the Music Teachers. Our pupils perform their final piece in front of a live audience. The winner is accredited with a prestigious accolade and presented with a trophy.

The Beacon Bard is an annual event hosted at the school, where children in Years 6-8 perform excerpts selected from Shakespeare plays to compete against one another for the Bard Award. Following an audition, finalists are selected by the Performing Arts team to compete in the final heat of the event. The final takes place with a live evening performance. An independent industry professional is invited to adjudicate.

Each year, our Upper School pupils have the opportunity to participate within a large production performed to our Beacon Community at the school, such as The Lion King (2021) or Guys and Dolls (2022). The level of skill and enthusiasm has proudly enabled us to take such performances to Edinburgh Festival Fringe bi-annually over a number of years.

During the final six weeks of The Beacon journey in Year 8, our pupils are taken off timetable to enjoy a multitude of activities and challenges. These are carefully planned to strengthen the life skills developed and to provide a fun and memorable last few weeks with their peers. This includes a week's residential trip, a day trip to Thorpe Park and London museums, various Sports events and a first aid course.