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Bethany enjoys a reputation as a particularly friendly and happy community. It is a strong, thriving school and recent years have seen an enviable building programme. The Head firmly believes that school should be enjoyed rather than endured and it is the atmosphere of positive nurturing and encouragement which makes Bethany ‘refreshingly different’.




Location
Located in Kent’s ‘Garden of England’, Bethany combines an idyllic rural location with easy accessibility. London is less than an hour by train, Gatwick Airport one hour by taxi (Heathrow an hour and a half) and the Eurostar terminals at Ashford and Ebbsfleet 45 minutes.

Boarding life and overseas students
Every student becomes part of their own boarding house family which is home to around 25 boarders. There is a full and varied programme of weekend activities and visits for all boarders. In the upper sixth, students board in the purpose-built sixth-form centre and have individual study-bedrooms with en-suite facilities. The community at Bethany is also enriched by the presence of 30–40 students from around the world; many have high levels of English, but, for those who require it, a specialist EAL teacher gives intensive language support and tuition.

The curriculum and information technology
Bethany offers a broad range of subjects taught in modern classrooms with specialist facilities, the latest addition to which is our stunning new Science Centre. Our small classes ensure that students receive plenty of support and guidance. The entire campus is served by a wireless network, and from
Year 8 all students are encouraged to have their own laptop and much of the curriculum is delivered through IT. Over 94% of our sixth-form leavers progress on to university courses, leaving Bethany with a mature self-confidence and clear direction. Our learning support department enjoys an international reputation for its success in giving specialist help to dyslexic students within our mainstream school.

Beyond the curriculum
We believe that activities outside the classroom are very important in developing students’ personalities. Everyone takes part in sport at least three times a week, as well as in activities sessions three afternoons a week. There is a choice of around 25 activities each day including horse riding, chef school, archery, symphony orchestra, country pursuits, to name just a few. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme is hugely popular and very successful at Bethany. Throughout the School, there are opportunities to perform in drama, music and dance. Our art department is particularly strong and many students join us to take advantage of our ‘mini art college’, choosing to study art, textiles and photography at A-level.

'There seems to be a unique, caring and supportive environment where pupils learn to believe in themselves and to respect and support others, bringing out the best in each individual.'
A Bethany parent

Bethany School Poverty day

The pupils at Bethany School near Goudhurst are keen to raise awareness and learn more about the effects of poverty, so with this in mind they have meticulously planned and organised an innovative ‘poverty day’.

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Bethany School pupils probe poverty

The pupils at Bethany School near Goudhurst are keen to raise awareness and learn more about the effects of poverty, so with this in mind they have meticulously planned and organised an innovative ‘poverty day’.

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Bethany School Rock the House!

Students from Bethany School, Curtisden Green near Goudhurst took to the stage this week for three sell-out performances of the School’s musical production “We Will Rock You”, which features songs from the band Queen. 

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Bethany School pupil joins Surrey Girls Cricket team

Isabel Altendorf in Year 8 has been playing cricket for Lingfield Cricket Club for about three years. 

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Bethany School Get Up close and Personal with the Big Cats!

The Wildlife Heritage Foundation (WHF) is concerned with the conservation and protection of endangered big cats both in captivity and in the wild. 

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Bethany pupil joins Tom Daley at brain tumour charity to celebrate fifteen year anniversary!

The Olympic medallist joined guests at an exclusive Gala Dinner to toast the achievements of The Brain Tumour Charity, of which he is a patron. 

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Scholarships are available for academic ability (awarded according to the results of our Entrance Exam) and Music, Art, Design & Technology, Drama and Sport (assessed during our Scholarship Assessment Weeks in November and March).

We award scholarships worth up to 40% of the fees and offer specific scholarships for the Sixth Form

Bethany School International Pupils Feature

We are starting a new column, profiling some of our International pupils. Below are his responses to some questions we asked him:

1. Steven, can you describe yourself in 3 words? 
a. Incredible, gorgeous and brilliant. Modesty is not one of my characteristics.

2. Why did you choose to come to Bethany?
a. There is a link between my guardian and someone at the school, but I don’t really know. It’s a good school, though, so I’m glad I came here.
 
3. What subjects do you study here at Bethany that you can’t do back in Seoul?
a. DT, RS, ICT or languages. We have the equipment for DT, but nobody teaches us how to use it in school.

4. Guillermo had a great idea with tennis balls in the last newsletter, so it’s time to think outside the box again. If you could be a superhero, what power would you have?
a. I don’t want to be a superhero, but I do want to conquer the world, so my super-villain power would be mind control.

5. What do you miss most about Korea?
a. Not much really. I move around a lot in Korea so I am never in the same place for long. Being here is the longest I have stayed in the same place for almost all my life.

6. What has been your best memory of Bethany so far?
a. The trip to Hampton Court Palace was good. I like the big trips out somewhere new and interesting. I don’t really like the day-to-day routine though.

7. What are your hobbies?
a. I play music in my free time. I play the Violin and the Piano, and I play in the School Orchestra too. I loved playing in the band for ‘Our House’ last term – it was really fun to be part of the show.

8. If you were the Headmaster for a day, what would you change?
a. A Different timetable. I want it to be a bit more like Korea- starting earlier. But I don’t want to finish as late as Korean schools (6 or 7 pm), but maybe 8.30am to 3.30 pm, and then sports or free time in the afternoon.

9. Which celebrity would you ask to dinner?
a. President Obama! It would be EPIC to get a photo with him eating dinner at my house. I don’t think I’d talk to him, because he is probably quite boring, though.

10. Finally, Steven, what is your favourite British food?
a. When I go to my Guardians’ house in the holidays, we go to the Harvester, and I really like the ribs, with lots of salad.