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TradiTional Values | ConTemporary eduCaTion | World-Class experienCe<br />
A 10 Year Strategic Plan
TradiTional Values | ConTemporary eduCaTion | World-Class experienCe<br />
Introduction<br />
The Beacon is a busy boys’ Prep School and we are justly proud of our pupils’ achievements. We will continue to flourish as we<br />
step boldly into our future. I feel confident that pupils, Old Boys, parents (past and present), staff and our broader community will<br />
help us on our road to becoming a remarkable boys’ Prep School of national significance. This Vision is the opportunity to look<br />
forward and plan, without losing sight of what has gone before.<br />
This is based upon our understanding of The Beacon’s strengths and areas for development. Our aim is to create well-rounded<br />
young men, fluent in a range of skills and characteristics that will drive their future successes. The Vision has been informed by ‘The<br />
Big Beacon Conversation’, a detailed consultation with a broad range of Beacon stakeholders. This was conducted through online<br />
surveys, meetings and Headmaster’s round-table discussions, which helped us renew our mission and reinterpret our education<br />
for the benefit of all stakeholders.<br />
We believe The Beacon can grow as an exceptional school and a centre of excellence for boys, their parents and our staff through<br />
careful implementation of five key components: delivery of exceptional teaching and learning; development of Modern Fluencies;<br />
promotion of well-being for pupils, staff and parents; development of our site; and the creation of a Beacon ‘Network’. Success will<br />
be measured by our ability to encourage initiative, innovation, entrepreneurship and philanthropy in all.<br />
We trust you will join us on our exciting journey to create a truly world-class educational experience for our pupils, their families and<br />
our staff, both today and into the future.<br />
Will Phelps, Headmaster<br />
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TradiTional Values | ConTemporary eduCaTion | World-Class experienCe<br />
Governor Perspectives<br />
For The Beacon to become a world-class establishment, we must carefully consider our successes and create a strong pathway<br />
to our future as the independent preparatory school of choice for boys locally and further afield. This Vision is a milestone in our<br />
progress towards key future goals and I am delighted to commend it to our community.<br />
David Hollander, Chairman of Governors<br />
As a governor and past parent, I have watched the school grow over many years. I believe The Beacon has the potential to stand<br />
out not only as a fantastic local boys’ school, but as one of the greatest schools in the country. The opportunities articulated in our<br />
Vision will propel the school forward, benefitting all who have the pleasure of being part of our community.<br />
Justin Hardman, Governor<br />
The Beacon prepares all boys for a bright future, offering a broad range of educational opportunities and activities that enhance<br />
their learning. As a local resident of 20 years, I consider the school to be a local gem. Our objectives to strengthen ties within the<br />
local area are firmly set out in this Vision, demonstrating a worthy commitment to broadening our reach.<br />
Pippa Kirkbride, Governor<br />
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TradiTional Values | ConTemporary eduCaTion | World-Class experienCe<br />
Our Mission<br />
The Beacon’s mission is to inspire boys to achieve their best within a happy, secure and stimulating environment, providing education<br />
of the highest quality, delivered by an enthusiastic and committed team of teachers and staff. To achieve this aim the school will,<br />
with the support of parents:<br />
• Promote high standards of academic achievement through consistently high expectations and encouragement.<br />
• Nurture talent and provide opportunity for all across the curriculum.<br />
• Enable pupils to develop the social and emotional skills needed to believe in themselves, show consideration for others and<br />
value diversity.<br />
• Foster lifelong thinking, learning and communication skills to enable pupils to work independently and as part of a team.<br />
Our Values<br />
To achieve Our Mission, The Beacon espouses five core values and all those involved in the school are expected to act in<br />
accordance with these:<br />
Integrity:<br />
Respect:<br />
Behaving with honesty and strong moral principles.<br />
Valuing all individuals, having due consideration and empathy for their wishes, feelings and rights.<br />
Achievement: Valuing and aspiring to intellectual, sporting, creative and spiritual success via effort, skill and risk-taking and<br />
celebrating one another’s endeavours.<br />
Well-being:<br />
Courage:<br />
Developing fully as a person, both physically and emotionally, so that children are confident, healthy and happy.<br />
Striving to do one’s best and making an effort despite difficulties or fears, building resilience and self-confidence.<br />
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TradiTional Values | ConTemporary eduCaTion | World-Class experienCe<br />
The Five Key Components<br />
to Our Vision<br />
There are five components at the heart of our Vision. Together these provide a strong and lasting foundation for The Beacon’s future:<br />
• Delivery of exceptional Teaching and Learning<br />
• Development of Modern Fluencies<br />
• Promoting Well-being for Pupils, Staff and Parents<br />
• Development of our Site<br />
• Creation of The Beacon Community Network<br />
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Teaching Fluencies Well-being Development Community<br />
Development of<br />
Modern Fluencies<br />
Promoting Well-being for<br />
Pupils, Staff & Parents<br />
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Teaching<br />
& Learning<br />
Development<br />
of our Site<br />
The Beacon<br />
Community Network<br />
Teaching Fluencies Well-being<br />
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Development Community
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TradiTional Values | ConTemporary eduCaTion | World-Class experienCe<br />
Delivery of exceptional<br />
Teaching and Learning<br />
our greatest asset is our teaching staff. They inspire our boys, and each other, to do well and succeed. our teachers<br />
bring subjects to life. The Beacon must attract the most dynamic, flexible and courageous teachers – those who can light<br />
the flame of life-long learning in each and every Beacon boy. our aim is to develop world-class educators who will lead<br />
future generations of pupils to outstanding achievements.<br />
Innovation<br />
Generating new ideas for boys’ education through a continuous programme of educational advancement. This will utilise a greater<br />
understanding of interpersonal skills and the nurturing of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) to develop an innovative curriculum, tailored<br />
to the particular skills and talents of boys.<br />
Community<br />
Establishing a Summer School for the wider community, focusing on literacy, sport and the performing arts, opening The Beacon<br />
to children who will benefit from additional support.<br />
Leadership<br />
Recognising the importance of leadership as an essential aspect of the teaching profession through the creation of new leadership<br />
opportunities at The Beacon. We will host Future Leader Conferences and provide Beacon Talks on Leadership, Creativity and<br />
Philanthropy.<br />
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TradiTional Values | ConTemporary eduCaTion | World-Class experienCe<br />
Development of<br />
Modern Fluencies<br />
in distilling the essence of our school, it is apparent that it is not the individual activities which set us apart but the way in<br />
which we weave them fluently together through our teaching and learning, the range of experiences on offer, and in the<br />
values we nurture in all Beacon community members. We will increase our attention to the development of these ‘fluencies’<br />
in every Beacon boy. our pupils will leave us with the strength and determination to translate their ideas into reality using<br />
a fluent range of technologies, skills, characteristics and tools.<br />
• Qualifications alone do not distinguish outstanding young men. The boys and teachers will be encouraged to show initiative,<br />
innovation, entrepreneurship and philanthropy. These will be embedded in our curriculum and extra-curricular opportunities. We<br />
will work closely with a federation of local charities with similar brand values, with huge benefits to the boys’ values and the whole<br />
community.<br />
• We will establish a greater role for Young Enterprise and entrepreneurial activities, as we prepare them for an evolving employment<br />
landscape.<br />
• Young employees of tomorrow need to adopt a growing range of quickly advancing technological aptitudes. We will embed<br />
these into our curriculum as they arrive whilst ensuring we educate our boys and their families about appropriate use of technology<br />
alongside the ‘traditional’ characteristics we continue to promote.<br />
• Our education will better incorporate an understanding of our individual responsibilities as ‘stewards’ of the planet. This will involve<br />
an appreciation of the fragility of our planet and the need for a sustainable lifestyle.<br />
• Young people will need a global perspective to find real success. This includes the ability to understand customs, cultures and<br />
languages around the world. We will expand our cross-curricular activities to ensure global perspectives feature strongly within<br />
our core academic structure.<br />
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TradiTional Values | ConTemporary eduCaTion | World-Class experienCe<br />
Providing Well-being<br />
for Pupils, Staff & Parents<br />
in an increasingly digital and connected world, the importance of the individual and the digital must be equally highlighted<br />
to maintain a healthy balance in all members of our community. Well-being is a key component in our pursuit of excellence<br />
and our aim is to ensure that it underpins all of our activities and decisions as a school.<br />
Strong Pastoral Care Systems<br />
The Beacon is a happy school and this is due largely to the strong pastoral systems in place, including a Counsellor as part of<br />
The Beacon team. We will continue to develop Pastoral Care by fostering a deeper multi-disciplinary team approach focusing on<br />
resilience and developing success.<br />
Mindfulness, Well-being and Lifestyle<br />
We will continue to encourage boys to reap the lifelong benefits of a balanced lifestyle by encouraging a sustainable, healthy<br />
routine which integrates nutrition, mindfulness, and stewardship of the planet. We will become a centre of excellence for the<br />
physical and mental well-being of our boys. We will continue to develop our excellent parenting sessions, to educate Beacon<br />
families about a positive school-home life balance.<br />
Our Staff<br />
Hiring, supporting, developing, and retaining the best staff are key to the continuing success of our school. The development<br />
of an enviable INSET programme will play an important part in this aim, by being designed to encourage a deeper understanding<br />
of individual learning styles, growth mind-sets and outdoor learning, to name but a few. We are committed to reviewing<br />
opportunities for all our staff, offering them greater feedback on their performance and the chance to share their development<br />
aspirations. We aim to create the time and space for all our staff to further build on their professional capabilities and acquire<br />
new skills to benefit both themselves and our boys.<br />
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TradiTional Values | ConTemporary eduCaTion | World-Class experienCe<br />
Development of our Site<br />
our site is truly the hive of all Beacon activities. it must be secure, fit for purpose and reflective of the inspiration within. it<br />
should offer space, flexibility, and house the developing range of activities we aim to offer, attract the best teachers and<br />
pupils, and improve our educational provision.<br />
Following significant investment in the theatre, science labs, classrooms and dining and kitchen facilities, we are actively looking at<br />
ways in which we can further develop our site. Our priorities are:<br />
Learning Suite – a Centre for Innovation and Learning<br />
We inspire our pupils to engage in the joy of lifelong learning. Our teachers must continually adapt to, learn from, and explore<br />
an ever-changing educational landscape. This modern, high-tech space will enable our teachers to develop new educational<br />
ideas that can be shared and implemented. Teachers will be able to observe best practices and trial innovative new teaching<br />
methods and concepts.<br />
Fitness Centre and Sports Classroom<br />
This will be an area where we can encourage team-work with the latest technological advancements in sports, such as a<br />
modern fitness suite and spin studio. We will monitor pupils’ health and well-being using the latest fitness tracking software, to<br />
develop tailored physical training programmes. The sports classroom will enable our boys to develop their knowledge and<br />
exposure to the latest sporting strategies and tactics.<br />
Music Hub<br />
The creation of a Music Hub providing an acoustic and digital space for our boys to express themselves creatively and enjoy<br />
making music with their friends. This open performance and learning space, stocked with equipment including instruments,<br />
synthesisers, and recording and playback technology, will encourage our boys to explore, experiment, and work together to<br />
create and perform exciting music to inspire future young musicians.<br />
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Well-being<br />
Creating a space of reflection and care for our pupils and staff, ensuring that there is always a quiet area for personal growth<br />
and mindfulness which can accommodate the needs of both larger groups and smaller gatherings.<br />
Existing Site Improvements<br />
We will investigate options available to offer swimming all year round in an indoor pool facility.<br />
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TradiTional Values | ConTemporary eduCaTion | World-Class experienCe<br />
The Beacon<br />
Community Network<br />
our community is our lifeblood. it brings together individuals and creates partnerships, friendships and a valuable, lasting<br />
sustenance which benefits all. We will aim to strengthen our community, growing our networks and encouraging<br />
participation.<br />
• We will develop The Beacon Community Network, establishing a portal for pupils, parents, alumni and staff who are supportive<br />
of The Beacon. We will improve our digital communication to all our Beacon friends and foster these relationships with regular<br />
reunions and events.<br />
• We will create a database of information that allows our Development and Marketing Office to form a clear pathway for our<br />
community to support The Beacon.<br />
• We will increase our fundraising activities to ensure that boys are not prevented from accessing a Beacon education because<br />
of financial barriers.<br />
• The Beacon will retain and foster strong links with leading senior schools. We will expand our existing links with top boys’ prep<br />
schools, sister schools and nurseries to continually monitor and extend best practices.<br />
• We will develop the Beacon Talks programme to include external and community speakers engaging with topics such as<br />
entrepreneurship, philanthropy and innovation. These will encourage our boys to pursue excellence and challenges as part of<br />
their broader education.<br />
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Telephone: 01494 433654 | email: office@beaconschool.co.uk | twitter: @beacon_school<br />
The Beacon educational Trust ltd<br />
registered in england no: 01067862<br />
registered office: The Beacon school, Chesham Bois, amersham, Buckinghamshire Hp6 5pF<br />
registered Charity no: 309911<br />
A 10 Year Strategic Plan<br />
TradiTional Values | ConTemporary eduCaTion | World-Class experienCe