Additional Information
The School Community
The Beaconhurst Parent/Teacher Association is a dynamic group of parents and teachers who meet regularly to organise social and fund-raising events throughout the school year. From this are drawn Class-Link Parents who liaise with other parents in a class or year group to provide a social network.
Leavers are eligible to become members of the Beaconhurst Former Pupils Club. The club organises reunions and social events throughout the country which continues friendships and maintains links with the school. The annual AGM and Reunion, which takes place at the school, is an ideal opportunity to keep in touch and all FPs receive annual copies of the school’s newsletters and FP Supplement.
Daily Routine
School begins at 8.45am with registration. The Nursery morning session commences at 9.00am.
School ends as follows:
- Junior 1 to 2 3.15pm *
- Junior 3 to 6 3.35pm
- Transition to Senior 6 3.35pm
* School ends at 12.30pm on Wednesdays
No pupil may be absent from school, except on the grounds of illness, without having previously obtained the Headmaster’s permission, which will only be given in exceptional circumstances.
Before and After School Care
Breakfast Club for Nursery and Junior 1 and 2 pupils is available from 8.00am (for which a charge applies). The Junior School building is open from 8.10am and supervised for children to be dropped off. Senior school buildings are open from around 8.15am. Breakfast is available from 8.00am to 8.30am in the dining hall for senior pupils and accompanied junior pupils. Breakfast service continues to 9.00am for parents.
After School Club for Nursery and Junior 1 and 2 pupils runs from 3.15pm to 5.30pm (charged on an hourly basis) and supervised prep runs from 4.00pm to 5.30pm for pupils from Junior 3 to Transition. Senior pupils are allowed to work in available classrooms or the library until 6.00pm during which time there is a member of staff on duty.
School Lunch
Lunch is served in the school dining hall and is compulsory for all pupils in the junior and senior schools. Nursery children may bring a packed lunch. There is a wide range of hot and cold food, vegetarian options, salads and fresh fruit. Most special dietary requirements can be catered for but must be notified at the point of registering pupils.
Games Programme
Compulsory Games sessions take place as follows:
- Junior 6 to Senior 2 Tuesday 3.00pm to 4.00pm
- Senior 3 to Senior 6 Tuesday 4.00pm to 5.00pm
- Transition to Senior 3 Thursday 3.45pm to 4.45pm (Summer Term only)
Team Practice
Thursday 3.45pm to 4.45pm during the autumn and spring terms for those representing the school in matches.
Uniform
Pupils are expected to wear the school’s uniform smartly at all times before, during and after school, at school functions and on any other occasions when they are representing the school. Games kit must also conform to regulations. Uniform and games kit can be obtained from the PTA Swap Shop in school or from McAree Brothers (School Outfitters), 55 King Street, Stirling.
Activities
There is a wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer to pupils, the majority of which take place at lunchtime or after school. This varies on a termly basis and details are published annually. Where an activity is charged for it will require to be undertaken for a full session of three terms with a full term’s written notice given of termination.
Admission
The school offers a Taster Programme to all prospective pupils. This will be arranged on completion of a registration form and the payment of the non-refundable registration fee. Following the taster programme feedback will be given to parents and the offer of a place either made or declined. This must be accepted in writing, after which the school’s general terms and conditions will apply. Pupils may start at any point in the school year subject to a place being available. Where a year group is full, pupils will be placed on a waiting list and contacted when a vacancy arises.
Open Events are held termly where families are able to tour the school, meeting staff and pupils. Details are available on the school website (www.beaconhurst.com) or by contacting the school office on 01786-832146.
Financial Matters
Fees are payable either termly, by the start of each term, or by monthly direct debit collected over ten months. Fees are payable to the Bursar at the school, from whom full details of fees and associated charges are available.
Scholarships up to a maximum of 10% of tuition fees are available to pupils entering Senior 1 and Senior 5. These are open to internal and external candidates with examinations taking place in March and are awarded competitively for academic excellence, regardless of financial need.
Bursaries are also available on a means-tested basis. The entry level for bursaries is set annually by the Board of Governors and application must be received by December for the following academic year. A bursary will not be assessed on academic ability and is designed to support the education of pupils who would not otherwise be able to attend a fee-paying school.
A discount of 30% is given to third and subsequent siblings and the school will consider offering financial help to existing families who experience an adverse change in their circumstances. This is done on a case-by-case basis.
Accessibility
Beaconhurst is committed to making its educational provision as accessible as possible and will not discriminate against pupils on the grounds of physical disability or impairment. Our campus is multi-level, but this should not put off prospective pupils with particular accessibility needs as the school will be as flexible as possible in considering such applications.
Travel
The school operates a private bus service to pupils, which is charged on a termly basis. Details of the route and current charges are available on request. In addition, pupils can be picked up and dropped off at Bridge of Allan railway station by the school minibus for onward travel by train (a fixed termly charge applies).
