The Beacon School

The Beacon School is an independent day school in Amersham for boys aged 3 to 13 set in 18 acres of Chiltern countryside. The school prides itself on both its strong pastoral focus and on the broad range of opportunities it offers.

The Beacon prepares boys for secondary education through a broad curriculum that offers both richness and diversity of opportunity. It strives to inspire and enlighten boys throughout their time at the school.

Why choose The Beacon?

· The school's priority is to ensure sound academic development within a happy and stimulating community.

· The Beacon aims to give all boys the skills they need to thrive throughout their adult lives, along with a lifelong curiosity and love of learning.

· The school was founded in 1933, opening on its current site with just five pupils and by 1999, it had grown to over 400 boys.

· The school has five key values and principles: integrity, respect, achievement, well-being and courage.

· There are four main entry points to the school – Nursery at age 3, Reception at age 4, Year 3 at age 7 and Year 7 at age 11.

Inspection reports

Inspections provide parents with detailed information from which to assess key aspects of a school. Find out more about why inspections matter.

· The school was last inspected in February 2022. Read the inspection reports on the school's website.

· The school is a registered charity managed by a board of governors. Read more on the Charity Commission website.

Leavers' Destinations

Pupils from The Beacon move on to leading independent senior schools including Berkhamsted, Merchant Taylors' School, Bradfield College, Eton College, Harrow School, Marlborough College, Oundle School, Rugby School, Shiplake College, St Edward's Oxford and Wellington College. Boys also leave at the end of Year 6 to take up places at local grammar schools.

The Beacon's Headmaster

Headmaster Nick Baker says: 'The Beacon is a school rightly proud of its long-standing success with Senior School transition and formidable sporting prowess, but more than this, it is the development of young boys' characters, personalities and their ability to converse with one another that defines a Beacon Boy.'

'Generations of boys have progressed to their Senior Schools as assets to their communities; their engaging company, innate sense of kindness, quiet confidence and good humour, all learnt and fostered through their formative years at The Beacon.'

'A school building generates a quite distinct atmosphere that reveals a school’s true character, you will discover, a busy, happy and sociable school. A school where you will find not just teachers of boys, rather teachers for boys. Teachers that understand how boys learn, how they react positively to challenge and a firm belief in the motivational power of praise well-earned.'

What makes The Beacon different?

Attain asked the school, what makes The Beacon different – and why should parents consider it?

The Beacon prides itself on both its strong pastoral focus and on the broad range of opportunities it offers.

The dedicated teachers and small class sizes ensure that no boy is ever overlooked, and each child's learning is tailored to their needs. While academic skills are at the heart of the school and reflected in the outstanding Senior School entrance exam results, The Beacon is also dedicated to teaching key core learning skills, such as independent thinking, teamwork, and resilience.

Specialist teachers in PE, Games and Music inspire Beacon boys from their first day in Nursery upwards, increasing to further specialist teaching throughout their time at The Beacon. Incredible facilities include a Sports Hall, AstroTurf, covered swimming pool and 16 acres of playing fields.

There is a 220-seat theatre, Drama studio, and Mac-packed music technology suite for Performing Arts. Creative Arts are taught from Year 4, with the boys enjoying a fully equipped Design Technology lab, Cooking & Nutrition room and bespoke Art Studio.

In Sport, whatever the level boys play at, they are coached and encouraged to develop a love for Sport. All boys in Years 3 to 8, regardless of ability, represent The Beacon in team matches.

At The Beacon, boys are nurtured, thrive and acquire exemplary learning and social skills that will last them a lifetime.

Finding out more about The Beacon