Press release
Bell Educational Trust acquires new residential centre
12 February 2007
The Bell Educational Trust, one of the UK’s largest providers of language training exports, has today announced the acquisition of a new, residential educational facility in the South East of England. Bedgebury School, close to Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and situated in 220 acres of parkland, is a former girls boarding school and complements Bell’s existing UK centres in Cambridge and London.
Unveiling Bell’s plans for the site, Chief Executive David Pottinger commented:
“We have been looking for a suitable new UK location for some time, as part of a planned global expansion programme, and our criteria have been strict. In particular, we have been searching for premises with a combination of good transport links, outstanding facilities and an estate of significant cultural or historic interest. In Bedgebury, I’m delighted to say that we have found all three.”
Bedgebury School and its parkland includes three lakes, a Riding Centre and a mix of historic, listed buildings and modern, purpose-built teaching and residential accommodation. Facilities include a swimming pool, modern sports hall, riding, tennis courts, playing fields and an outward bound style woodland assault course and abseiling wall.
The former Bedgebury School for girls dates from the 1920s. The Bell Bedgebury International School, which will open in September 2007, will continue the tradition of providing top quality residential education on this beautiful site. The School will operate as an International Study Centre (ISC), a year-round boarding school for boys and girls aged 12 – 17 preparing for study in mainstream UK boarding schools. Pupils will follow a mixed curriculum including English, Maths and Science and the School will also offer a range of one year GCSE and IGCSE programmes.
Mr Pottinger added; “The international value of a British education has never been higher although many international students find their lack of English skills a barrier to accessing mainstream UK independent schools. The Bell Bedgebury International School will provide a perfect preparation for such students, helping them prepare linguistically, academically, socially and culturally for life in a British school environment.”
The International School campus will also play host to the Bell Bedgebury Language Centre, a year-round 16 + residential language training and teacher development centre and existing Bell business being transferred from its current site in Saffron Walden in August 2007.
Commenting on the acquisition, Bell’s Chairman of Governors said; “This is a significant step in the history of the Bell Educational Trust. In 1955, Frank Bell’s vision of fostering international co-operation and understanding through study and education led to the establishment of the world-famous Bell language school in Cambridge and, subsequently, the Bell Educational Trust. Our acquisition of Bedgebury marks a new chapter for the Trust, as we create a new kind of international school, firmly focused on Frank's original vision of international co-operation and understanding.”
Bell was advised in the acquisition by Wragge & Co, BDO Stoy Hayward, Turner Morum, Eversheds and Smith Stuart Reynolds.
For more information visit www.bedgeburyschool.co.uk and www.bell-centres.com.
-Ends-
Enquiries:
Natalie Dawe
Marketing Communications Manager
Bell International
Hillscross
Red Cross Lane
Cambridge CB2 0QU
Tel: 01223 275511 / 07718 766 953
Fax: 01223 414080
E-mail:
Notes to editors:
The Bell Educational Trust, trading as Bell International, is a leading educational charity and one of the largest British-owned providers of English language education services.
Each year, it helps over 100,000 students, from more than 120 countries through one of its 25 worldwide teaching centres and e-channels, primarily to learn English and other languages.
In addition, Bell International is a global provider of teacher training, educational management, consultancy and project services to international organisations, universities and governments.
In the UK, in addition to Bedgebury, Bell operates permanent teaching centres in London and Cambridge as well as residential summer programmes for children aged 8 – 17 at a number of leading independent schools including Wellington College, Berkshire and The Leys School, Cambridge.
International Study Centres (ISCs) provide language and academic preparation for international students preparing to enter mainstream British boarding education.
