After more than nine decades as a boys' prep school, The Beacon in Amersham has been preparing for the most significant change in its history.

Founded in 1933 as an independent school for boys, The Beacon is now embarking upon a co-educational setting from September 2026 and beyond. Headmaster Nick Baker described the move as an entirely appropriate next chapter for a school long known for its academic record.

The Beacon has a long-standing reputation as one of the country's leading prep schools, and its pupils have a strong record of moving on to senior schools including Berkhamsted, Eton College, Harrow, Wellington and Shiplake College.

Year on year children are offered scholarships. In recent years, pupils have been fortunate to receive Academic, Music, Drama, Performing Arts, Art, Design Technology and Sports scholarships at some of the most highly esteemed independent senior schools around the country.

The broad curriculum is notable for the range of subject's pupils encounter with specialist teaching starting early from Nursery. With the introduction of girls, enhancements have been made to the programme across the school, such as the introduction of Netball, Tap and Ballet among other styles of dance.

A new brand film has recently launched to drive awareness of this exciting transition to a co-educational setting, touching on The Beacon guiding the next generation of artists, creators, sportspeople, thinkers and leaders. This can be viewed on the website homepage.

The school met every standard across all categories in the most recent Independent Schools Inspectorate report, published in 2025. Inspectors recognised strong leadership, a broad curriculum, an inclusive ethos and a clear commitment to pupil wellbeing.

The pastoral provision is built around a full-time Wellbeing Coach & Counsellor, a team of mental health first aiders and sixteen pupil mental health champions.

Children under six can also use a chauffeur-driven transport service, an unusual touch that reflects the school's wide catchment across the Chilterns.

The Beacon sits within the picturesque Chilterns National Landscape, in Chesham Bois, Amersham. To explore the school, families are warmly welcomed to a whole school open morning on Saturday, September 26, running from 9.30am to midday.

The session is pitched at prospective parents with boys or girls considering Little Beacons, Pre-Prep and Prep. There will be an informative talk from the headmaster, a pupil-led tour and a chance to meet teachers and the admissions team. There will also be a Messy Play available for families with younger children, allowing them to explore a variety of activities in the Early Years setting.

Places can be booked through the school's visit us page, with further detail on the curriculum and pastoral set-up available across the school's website.

For a school that has shaped generations of Buckinghamshire boys, the next few years mark a quiet but significant turning point, and one that stands to widen The Beacon's place in the local community.

The Beacon. Guiding the next generation of boys and girls.