Kent

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1123" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Benenden-School-Kent-aerial-view.jpg" alt="Benenden School Kent aerial view including music hall" class="wp-image-107254" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Benenden-School-Kent-aerial-view.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Benenden-School-Kent-aerial-view-800x599.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Benenden-School-Kent-aerial-view-1000x749.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Benenden-School-Kent-aerial-view-400x299.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Benenden-School-Kent-aerial-view-768x575.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



With a long-standing reputation as one of the best girls&#8217;s schools in the UK <a href="https://www.benenden.school">Benenden Schoo</a><a href="https://www.benenden.school" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">l</a> is well known for its complete and rounded education. And, if Sixth Form is seen as the pinnacle of life at any school, this is certainly the case at Benenden where these final years are central to the beating heart of the school and offers students a highly distinctive experience and one that pupils will carry with them forever.



What&#8217;s more, this summer&#8217;s A Level results were amongst the strongest ever demonstrating once again that Benenden deserves its reputation for outstanding academic success. 



So we caught up with Simon Cullen, Head of Sixth Form, who was was quick to point out that there is far more to a young person’s academic experience than exam results. Here, Cullen reveals the 5 key components that provide an all-round and unique experience at Benenden Sixth Form.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-outstanding-academics">1. OUTSTANDING ACADEMICS</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-science-lesson.jpg" alt="Benenden School Kent science lesson" class="wp-image-107252" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-science-lesson.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-science-lesson-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-science-lesson-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-science-lesson-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-science-lesson-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



There&#8217;s a lot to boast about here. Put simply, in 2024, Benenden achieved the Best A Level&nbsp;results&nbsp;of any girls’ school in Kent in 2024. If you&#8217;re a stat person then this year&#8217;s A Level results were 93% of grades were A*-B and 71% A*/A. Those are some impressive numbers.



But perhaps more importantly, is Benenden’s Value Added – the measure of how much a School has improved students’ achievements – which is also outstanding and among the top 7 per cent of schools in the UK today. With a Value Added score of 0.55, on average students have achieved more than half a grade higher in each subject than they were expected to.



Cullen says: &#8216;Benenden is proud to have a superb record of success at A Level and frequently outperforms even the highly-selective Kent grammar schools.&#8217; 



&#8216;These outstanding grades, combined with our excellent Careers Department and personalised UCAS advisory team, mean that our students are able to gain places at their first choice of University and courses throughout the world and pursue their dreams across a wide range of chosen career paths.&#8217;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-independence-in-a-supportive-environment">2. INDEPENDENCE IN A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-Sixth-Formers-on-scooters.jpg" alt="Benenden School Kent Sixth Formers on scooters" class="wp-image-107240" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-Sixth-Formers-on-scooters.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-Sixth-Formers-on-scooters-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-Sixth-Formers-on-scooters-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-Sixth-Formers-on-scooters-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-Sixth-Formers-on-scooters-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



The Sixth Form is central to Benenden life and offers students a highly distinctive experience from the Lower School. There&#8217;s a high retention of pupils moving into Sixth Form at Benenden &#8211; not surprisingly considering the many brilliant touches that set Sixth Form life apart.



Cullen says: &#8216;The most recognisable distinctions are that Sixth Formers have their own uniform, they live in the dedicated Founders Houses and the Upper Sixth, or Six Two, are allowed to navigate the site on scooters!&#8217;



Founders, the accommodation for pupils in the Sixth Form is split into four Houses (Beeches, Elms, Limes and Oaks) and has a modern, vibrant atmosphere and a real university feel.



Girls usually have individual rooms as well as a common room and coffee bar and are encouraged to do their own cooking and laundry. While all this independence is wonderful they are also heavily involved in the rest of school and encouraged to get stuck in with leadership opportunities.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-preparation-for-life">3. PREPARATION FOR LIFE</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-pupils-giving-talk.jpg" alt="Benenden School Kent pupils giving talk" class="wp-image-107253" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-pupils-giving-talk.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-pupils-giving-talk-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-pupils-giving-talk-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-pupils-giving-talk-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-pupils-giving-talk-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Much is done at Benenden to give the girls a complete education. From the more standard extras you find at other schools, like the Extended Project Qualification, to their unique programmes that give the girls a more rounded learning experience. 



For example, Benenden is one of the only schools in the UK to offer a comprehensive Professional Skills Programme – a course dedicated to teaching students the general skills they need to thrive in the workplace.



Cullen says: &#8216;The skills taught include tackling different types of CV and interview, applying for jobs, creating a formal business plan, reading and creating accounts, coding, delivering a pitch, reading complex financial information, setting up and managing household bills, negotiating a tenancy agreement, and a range of life skills such as cookery, DIY and car maintenance.&#8217;



&#8216;The Sixth Formers all plan, launch and run a business as part of the course, which has been developed in collaboration with senior figures in business and industry, many of whom lead sessions on the course and act as mentors for the students’ business projects.&#8217;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-co-curricular-opportunities">4. CO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-Joseph-at-the-Coliseum-production.jpg" alt="Benenden School Kent Joseph at the Coliseum production" class="wp-image-107239" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-Joseph-at-the-Coliseum-production.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-Joseph-at-the-Coliseum-production-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-Joseph-at-the-Coliseum-production-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-Joseph-at-the-Coliseum-production-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-Joseph-at-the-Coliseum-production-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



The Co-Curricular programme is a key pillar of the Complete Education provided at Benenden. With more than 150 different activities to choose from, it&#8217;s fair to say the provision is extensive. From Music to Drama and an Outdoor Education in the school&#8217;s 250 acres, there are plenty of ways for pupils to try something new, extend their enthusiasm and develop lifelong interests. 



Cullen says: &#8216;SPLASH, our sports complex, is very much like a sports centre with bookable classes, lane swims, clubs and activities that go on from 7.00am until 9.00pm most days for girls and staff.&#8217;



&#8216;Other co-curricular facilities include a multi-purpose Theatre, complete with two professional sound and lighting technicians and a superbly resourced costume and props department. Or there&#8217;s the Music Department, which is busy and buzzing each day from early until late.&#8217;



&#8216;Plus we are one of the few girls’ schools in the UK to run a CCF contingent, which we offer in collaboration with The John Wallis Church of England Academy – giving girls the chance to develop personal responsibility, leadership, and self-discipline through a military approach.&#8217;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-friendships-that-last">5. FRIENDSHIPS THAT LAST</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-girls-playing-football.jpg" alt="Benenden School Kent girls playing football" class="wp-image-107242" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-girls-playing-football.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-girls-playing-football-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-girls-playing-football-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-girls-playing-football-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/10/Benenden-School-Kent-girls-playing-football-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



There is nothing quite like the fierce sense of community and life-long friendships that come from schools with a large boarding base and Benenden demonstrates this perfectly. This way of life extends to the smaller number of Day students in each year group who too benefit from this strong ethos and are also linked to Houses, in the same way as a boarder.



Cullen says: &#8216;The school takes great pride in its pastoral care and we encourage many schemes to create one big happy family. For example, Sixth Form students become what we call a ‘Big Sister’ to a student in the Lower and Middle School, looking after the younger student and inviting her to Founders for tea.&#8217;



&#8216;This sense of family extends well beyond Sixth Form, with well established schemes such as Benenden Connect. This is an active database of alumni students who all want to keep in touch and support one another.&#8217;



&#8216;Through the Benenden Connect website ex-pupils can Volunteer to mentor Benenden Seniors and Sixth Formers &#8211; give advice, answer industry specific questions, provide key networking contacts or offer work experience. When the school organises reunion events the exceptional response and turn-out speaks for itself.&#8217;



<a href="https://www.benenden.school/">Benenden School</a>, Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 4AA, 01580 240592, <a href="mailto:schooloffice@benenden.school">schooloffice@benenden.school</a>

Why Benenden Sixth Form gets top marks – and it’s not just for the grades

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