Public Benefit
The primary purpose of Beech Hall School foundation is the advancement of education for children. Inextricably linked with this purpose is that pupils are encouraged and expected to develop an understanding of, and a commitment to, public benefit values as an integral part of their education. Pupils absorb these values both consciously and unconsciously and the School tries to deliver an appropriate programme in both a structured and unstructured way, and to lead by example.
Perhaps the greatest public benefit that Beech Hall School can offer is the provision of an education that maximises the likelihood of its pupils developing into principled, informed, open minded and confident citizens who respect the beliefs of others and who are determined to make a positive contribution to society.
1. Education at Beech Hall School
- The School currently educates approximately 193 pupils from the local area and also provides a nursery for 80 children who are below school age.
- Children in the independent sector are not educated at the taxpayers’ expense, releasing funds for use elsewhere.
- The School provides a small, coeducational secondary day school education: this is an environment not generally available in the state sector.
- Entry to Beech Hall is open to all pupils and the entrance procedure is designed to be as fair as possible.
- Scholarships are awarded to the best candidates at each level of entry and the school is constantly seeking to maintain and increase the wide access to the School through applications to trusts and through bursaries. The School operates a means tested bursary scheme remitting up to 100% of fees from which 10 pupils will benefit (approximately 5% of the school roll).
2. Active Service by Pupils and Outreach Work
- About a dozen pupils take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.
- All pupils in Year 10 have a period of Work Experience, several opting to assist in primary schools.
- The Choir performs at Handforth Dean at Christmas time to raise funds for local charities.
3. Active Service by Staff
- Staff, too are involved in charity work, for example Susannah Middleton ran the London Marathon in support of East Cheshire Crossroads.
- Several staff are involved with their local churches, leading worship and supporting the parishes by providing musical expertise.
- Several staff members contribute to the cultural life of their communities - through music, drama, sailing, cricket and cadets.
- Members of staff serve or have served within the last few years as examiners and inspectors.
4. Links with maintained schools
- Our intention is to develop closer links with primary schools through sharing facilities and expertise. A start has been made through a joint strings group.
- We run a holiday activity scheme for children under 11, thereby assisting families where both parents work and where childcare would otherwise be difficult.
- We cooperate with Tytherington High School over car parking when there are large school functions.
6. Links with other organisations
- The school assists the work of The Bollin Valley Rangers who are responsible for nearby recreational facilities and footpaths.
- Several of our pupils assist at Macclesfield Town FC.
- We enjoy a good relationship with AstraZeneca, meeting the needs of families who relocate on contracts to Macclesfield, often from overseas.
- Strong relationship between Beech Hall and St Peter's Church, Prestbury.
- School facilities are shared with a number of local clubs and societies.
7. Charity fundraising
- Pupils raise funds for a number of charities. These include Children in Need, Barnados, Jeans for Genes, Red Nose Day, MacMillan Cancer Support, India Direct and the David Lewis Centre. Some of these causes are proposed by our own School Council – for example, a bike ride and a non uniform day in support of The David Lewis Centre raised over £1200.
- Students are informed of the charities supported through whole-school assemblies by visiting speakers and the School Council.
8. Cultural Contribution
- The school maintains the fabric of a Grade Two listed building.
- Beech Hall participates in local cultural events such as The Alderley Edge Music and Drama Festival.
- The school puts on a number of concerts and plays each year.
- Our drama facilities are shared with a local pantomime society.
9. Sport
- Beech Hall School promotes a healthy lifestyle through healthy eating and by providing a wide range of sporting opportunities.
- The School participates in numerous sporting tournaments and hosts visiting touring teams.
- Several Beech Hall pupils have achieved county and regional honours in a variety of sports.
10. Sports Facilities
- Ours sports hall is used by several sports clubs in the evening.
- Our astro turf pitch, the playing fields and the swimming pool are also loaned to local organisations.
11. The Environment
- The School works hard to make the most of the school site: all species of tree on site have been identified and new ones are being continuously planted. The School is the guardian of a large area of green land in an otherwise developed area.
- Steps are taken to reduce traffic by providing minibus services from Congleton, Alderley Edge and Wilmslow.
- We take steps to recycle (for example, printer cartridges), reuse (for example, paper) and reduce waste.
- Cooking ingredients are sourced locally to reduce food miles and packaging.
12. International Links
- Beech Hall School has several students from Sweden and other countries.
- We employ GAP students from New Zealand and Australia.
- We teach French and German at the school and visit both of these countries.
- We make donations to International charities such as India Direct.