Surrey Homes | SH101 | June 2023 | Education Supplement inside

Education Supplement
Meet theHead
We’ve been getting to know The New Beacon
Prep School’s new Head, Sarah Brownsdon
Sarah Brownsdon is the newly appointed
Head of The New Beacon Prep School,
whose alumni stretch from Siegfried Sassoon
to England sportsmen Zac Crawley, Sam
Billings, and Ben Earl. She knows Sevenoaks
well, having grown up in the town and
been educated at Walthamstow Hall.
What are you most looking forward
to at The New Beacon?
Getting to know everybody, the welcome I
have received has been incredible. The New
Beacon really does feel like a very special
place. I’ve particularly enjoyed my break
times with Year 8, we’ve discussed what
they have loved about their time here (over
KitKats and apple juice!) and also reflected
on anything they think could be even better…
it has been wonderful to hear how little they
would change and to gain an insight into life
at The New Beacon from their perspective.
What sets the school apart?
We are proud to be an all-boys prep school
because we can tailor our education to get
the very best from our pupils. We provide
pastoral care that supports each individual
whilst teaching the boys how to build positive,
healthy relationships with each other and in the
wider community. There’s a palpable sense of
family and community, where everyone looks
out for each other, a sense of brotherhood
that runs throughout the school with our Year
8 pupils supporting and mentoring children
as they start out in Nursery and Reception.
Boys are encouraged to embrace every
opportunity that school has to offer and don’t
consider anything to be off limits. Being in
the Chapel Choir is so popular that the Year
8s don’t want to leave even when their voices
break, but they are equally comfortable in
rugby boots. Large numbers enjoy chess and
gardening clubs, cookery or Judo and the
excitement is building for our forthcoming
Year 4 production of The Jungle Book. Our
Chapel Choir recently sang at Evensong in St
Paul’s Cathedral, an incredible experience, and
we were fortunate to have Joanna L’Estrange
(who was commissioned to write one of the
Coronation Anthems) here for our Coronation
celebrations. She taught the anthem to our
Chapel Choir and then the remainder of
the school, which culminated in a wonderful
performance. The New Beacon Centre, as well
as being a great sports facility, has the Mac
Suite, where boys can compose using Garage
Band and Sibellius software and record their
own podcasts. It also houses video-making
and stopstart animation facilities. These are the
kind of incredible opportunities we offer here.
What do you see as the main challenges?
Perhaps not a challenge but it is our
commitment to each boy that he progresses to
the school that will best suit him at the end of
his time with us, ensuring that he is confident
and well-prepared for that transition. The
New Beacon is full of wonderful boys, each
with his own unique character and personality,
it’s what makes it such a brilliant place to be
because we celebrate our pupils’ individuality.
We are merged with Tonbridge, and for many
boys that will be a great fit, but there will be
boys who will thrive in other schools – for a
variety of different reasons – and we believe in
happy, engaged children, not one size fits all.
What do you enjoy most about school life?
I love the variety. On any day I’ll be reading a
story in nursery, watching fixtures, discussing
lunch menus, meeting staff to look at teaching
and learning or attending a play rehearsal.
Children are the most inspiring people to work
with. Their honesty is humbling and they come
at things with fresh eyes which is why the
world of education is so rewarding. When you
go into teaching, you are working with other
people who are motivated by wanting to make
the world a better place and help and inspire
young people – it doesn’t get much better!
Did you have a favourite subject
during your own school days?
I loved studying languages, English and music.
My school had a really supportive music
department, who always looked to give us
opportunities to perform on a wider stage,
which I loved. I was also lucky to have a piano
teacher who knew when she needed to be
tough on me but would also give me all the
praise in the world when it was deserved.
How do you like to unwind outside work?
Spending time with my family is so important
but I love to bake and cook too – it’s a
win-win as you get to enjoy eating what
you’ve made! I still really enjoy music, both
playing and listening. I also love walking,
so it’s a joy to be back in Sevenoaks
with all the wonderful places to walk.
Fave podcast or book?
I really enjoy anything uplifting and inspiring,
so have been listening to some great
podcasts by Pooky Knightsmith, who spoke
at our recent mental health conference. I
absolutely love reading. Our bookshelves
are groaning but I believe you can never
have too many words in your house.
Has Sevenoaks changed much since you lived
here and do you have a favourite place to visit?
It’s busier but plenty is just the same, like
the Vine and the Stag Theatre. My husband
is Dulwich born and bred, so he’s stunned
by Knole Park, it’s such a beautiful space.
And my children are pleased because
there’s a Wagamama, Nando’s and Pizza
Express! I always thought I’d come home
at some point in spite of so many happy
years in Dulwich but The New Beacon
was the one school I was waiting for.
Find out more about The New Beacon Prep
School and all the exciting developments
going on there at newbeacon.org.uk
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