Kent

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2237" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Sarah-Brownsdon-Head-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-1.jpg" alt="Sarah Brownsdon Head The New Beacon Prep Sevenoaks Kent" class="wp-image-123784" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Sarah-Brownsdon-Head-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Sarah-Brownsdon-Head-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-1-536x800.jpg 536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Sarah-Brownsdon-Head-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-1-671x1000.jpg 671w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Sarah-Brownsdon-Head-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-1-268x400.jpg 268w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Sarah-Brownsdon-Head-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-1-768x1145.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Sarah-Brownsdon-Head-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-1-1030x1536.jpg 1030w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Sarah-Brownsdon-Head-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-1-1373x2048.jpg 1373w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



We caught up with Sarah Brownsdon, the first female head of <a href="https://www.newbeacon.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The New Beacon</a> prep in Sevenoaks. Here, she reveals the five key features she’s looking to enhance in her time at the helm…



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-exceptional-academics">1. Exceptional academics</h2>



<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/10/2026/04/Pupils-in-lesson-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent.jpg" alt="Pupils in lesson The New Beacon Prep Sevenoaks Kent" class="wp-image-123782" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Pupils-in-lesson-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Pupils-in-lesson-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Pupils-in-lesson-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Pupils-in-lesson-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Pupils-in-lesson-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



While entry into the school in Nursery and Reception is non-selective, The New Beacon is proudly academically ambitious and everything is about creating the best environment in which to teach boys. Class sizes are small, learning is designed into 30 – 60 min flexible chunks – to keep the boys engaged and focused.



Sarah Brownsdon says:&nbsp;‘After the 2021 merger with prestigious senior school, Tonbridge School, The New Beacon has continued to fine tune our offering for Years 7 and 8,&nbsp;ensuring pupils leave us fully prepared for Year 9 and&nbsp;resulting in continued strong numbers in these years, which is no small feat in the current market.’



‘We’ve taken the best bits of the Common Entrance and added in all the feedback from senior schools on what&nbsp;they&nbsp;are looking for in new pupils. The result is a rich timetable which includes – alongside the more traditional academics – Digital Creativity, Critical Thinking, Philosophy, Public Speaking, Debating, DELF (the Diplôme d&#8217;Etudes en Langue Française) and IPQ (an independent, pupil-led research project).’



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-destination-pathways">2. Destination pathways</h2>



<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/10/2026/04/Pupils-in-science-lesson-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent.jpg" alt="Pupils in science lesson The New Beacon Prep Sevenoaks Kent" class="wp-image-123783" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Pupils-in-science-lesson-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Pupils-in-science-lesson-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Pupils-in-science-lesson-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Pupils-in-science-lesson-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Pupils-in-science-lesson-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



For five years Tonbridge has contributed vital insights into senior school curriculum expectations at The New Beacon and now this consolidation between the two schools has been taken to the next level with the ‘The Assured Pathway’. This is a new system that allows boys from The New Beacon to move up to Tonbridge School without the weight of public exams. So no anxious period, like there was in days of old, around the Year 6 Pre-Test.



Sarah Brownsdon says:&nbsp;‘If parents register their interest in Tonbridge School, The New Beacon can share regular progress and tracking data to assess the pupil’s suitability and support the child’s pathway. This can be using any kind of data – looking at their overall work and strengths – from a creative writing exercise to a piece of geography homework.’



‘This evidence, provided by teachers and existing data, is seen as more&nbsp;reliable, insightful and valid than a snapshot moment, on one day, in an exam. This way, from Year 5, your son might get an offer in principle, followed by an experience day at Tonbridge School, then would know, unconditionally, the route they are taking, removing all that uncertainty. And this holistic approach is very well received because while leavers received offers from 26 different schools last year alone (of which 14 were scholarships) in reality, around two thirds of boys do head to Tonbridge. And everyone else is still very well supported in their chosen pathway, including achieving exceptional 11+ results.’



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-family-amp-pastoral-care">3. Family &amp; Pastoral Care</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="976" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Bosy-playing-rugby-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent.jpg" alt="Boys playing rugby The New Beacon Prep Sevenoaks Kent" class="wp-image-123780" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Bosy-playing-rugby-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Bosy-playing-rugby-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-800x521.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Bosy-playing-rugby-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-1000x651.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Bosy-playing-rugby-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-400x260.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Bosy-playing-rugby-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-768x500.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Most parents will know that The New Beacon academics are strong – the school has long been known for it. The school’s focus for some time now has also been on the pastoral side – the result being a very happy community with concrete schemes in place to ensure this runs through the roots of the school. Alongside the new Deputy Head, Pastoral, (who started in Sept 2025), there’s a School Counsellor, Wellbeing Room and Wellbeing Dog.



Sarah Brownsdon says:&nbsp;‘Genuine relationships are encouraged across the year groups to create that real sense of community – Year 8s buddy with Early Years pupils, for example. We run year-round events, from picnics to mini-Marathons, reading groups to treasure hunts that involve the whole school coming together.’



‘Mentoring schemes have proved successful, both between staff and pupils and pupil to pupil. Parents are supported with workshops and parenting drop-in sessions&nbsp;so&nbsp;that they feel very much part of this community. Leadership opportunities are created at every turn – with the boys relishing their responsibilities – this is character education at its very best. The weekly boarding and integrated extended day provision further strengthen our sense of family.’



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-little-beacons-and-bright-beginnings">4. Little Beacons and Bright Beginnings </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1586" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Nursery-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-scaled.jpg" alt="Nursery The New Beacon Prep Sevenoaks Kent" class="wp-image-123777" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Nursery-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Nursery-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-800x496.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Nursery-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-1000x619.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Nursery-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-400x248.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Nursery-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-768x476.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Nursery-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-1536x951.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/Nursery-The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-2048x1269.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></figure>



A brand new Nursery opened in January 2024, in a bespoke, purpose-designed building, complete with sedum roof, solar panels, indoor-to-outdoor free-flow spaces and a private playground just for little ones. Open 48 weeks of the year, taking boys and girls from their second birthday, it’s a calm, soothing space which at the same time is full of energy. It sits in the heart of their 22-acre site where the children have easy access to the outdoor classroom, woodlands, gardens and duckpond, offering wonderful outdoor learning opportunities.



Sarah Brownsdon says:&nbsp;‘We are rightfully proud of our Nursery, where little ones have access to all the incredible facilities and staff – from specialist Sport and PE lessons to Swimming, Music and even Dance. By the time the boys go up to ‘big school’ they are more than ready, with phonics skills and a familiarity with the facilities and spaces at their disposal.’



‘A Little Beacons Holiday Club is also offered, run by teachers, which means we can offer care for 48 weeks a year for our children – many with working parents – that want to join outside of term time.’



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-inspiring-curiosity">5. Inspiring Curiosity</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="844" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-sailing-1.jpg" alt="The New Beacon Prep Sevenoaks Kent sailing" class="wp-image-123786" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-sailing-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-sailing-1-800x450.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-sailing-1-1000x563.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-sailing-1-400x225.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/kent/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/The-New-Beacon-Prep-Sevenoaks-Kent-sailing-1-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



With no less than 65 Clubs on offer no one is getting bored here any time soon. There’s Dance, Gardening, Samba Band, Squash, Golf, Sailing (at Chipstead lake), Ancient Greek, Model Building, Debating and Top Trumps (just to name a few). Boys go on residential trips to places like York and Ypres. Sports tours take them as far away as Canada (rugby and football) or Bologna (Design &amp; Technology).’



Sarah Brownsdon says:&nbsp;‘Perhaps it’s not that surprising that sport is strong here, but what’s really interesting is the other stuff – like Art, Cookery Club, Music and Drama – all are specialist taught and big news at The New Beacon. Research suggests that boys in an all-male environment are far more likely to pursue the subjects normally dominated by girls.’



‘That sense of liberation and not conforming to stereotypes is definitely our lived experience at The New Beacon. Every single pupil learns to play a musical instrument, singing is hugely popular and large scale productions take place in Years 4, 6 and 8 building confidence and social relationships. Friendships are forged through this enrichment and continue on as boys progress through each part of the school.’



GO SEE FOR YOURSELF: at the <a href="https://www.newbeacon.org.uk/admissions-process/open-days-school-tours/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Whole School Open Morning</a> on Fri 15 May, 9.30am &#8211; 11.30am. Families interested in joining the co-educational Nursery can visit the <a href="https://www.newbeacon.org.uk/admissions-process/open-days-school-tours/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nursery Stay &amp; Play Open Morning</a> on Sat 6 June, 9.30am &#8211; 10.30am. 



The New Beacon School, Brittains Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 2PB, Tel: 01732 452131,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.newbeacon.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">newbeacon.org.uk</a>

Talking heads: Sarah Brownsdon, The New Beacon, Sevenoaks

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