Is Beaufort House School right for my child?

What makes Beaufort House School different?

How is Beaufort House School affiliated with Acton Academy?

Beaufort House School is part of the network of over 350 Acton Academies around the world. We follow the same exact Learning Design (curriculum) and learning model that our owners helped create at the original Acton Academy campus.

We are bringing the wildly successful Acton Academy model to the UK and pioneering a leaner, more joyful, learner driven alternative to traditional education.

What years do you offer?

Beaufort House School welcomes students aged 4 to 11, offering specialised learning experiences in the Spark Studio for ages 4 to 7 and the Primary Studio for ages 7 to 11.

Studios for ages 12 to 15 and 16 to 18 will open soon.

Where is your school located?

In Maida Vale, London W9.

How long are you in session each year?

Our term dates are broadly the same as other local independent schools. However our flexible program allows families to travel together during the year, without sacrificing any learning. Our school year runs from September to July. The full Calendar is available upon request.

What are the tuition fees?

£25,000 per year (excluding VAT). There are no compulsory extras and we offer a range of scholarships and subsidised places to ensure that access is not limited by ability to pay. We welcome enquiries from families who share our values, whatever their financial circumstances. All surpluses are reinvested into expanding access through scholarships and future campuses.

Please get in touch to explore your options.

Is the Beaufort House School a Montessori school?

We respect and incorporate Maria Montessori’s philosophy but, we are not a Montessori school. We also use the latest interactive technologies, hands on projects and the Socratic Method for discussions.

Is Beaufort House School a religious school?

While we expose children to the importance of mindfulness, ethical principles, and the significance of the Judeo-Christian ethic to the development of Western Civilisation, we are not a religious school. We value and respect individual beliefs and are open to people of all faiths and none.

Who was Lord Acton?

Lord John Emerich Edward Dahlberg Acton (1834-1902) was a Victorian scholar who saw liberty not as a licence, but as the freedom to do what was right. He was suspicious of power for the sake of power, which led to his most famous quote: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." At Acton Academy, we celebrate his defence of economic, political and religious freedom.

What do you mean by a hero's journey?

We believe that each of us has a special calling in life, and a series of trials and tests that must be faced with integrity and purpose, in order to live a satisfying and fulfilled life. Our mission is to prepare your child for his or her special journey.

What is an "independent learner"?

Someone who can research questions, follow instructions, solve problems, admit that they don't know something and figure out a solution when they hit a roadblock without asking an adult for help, participate in discussions, and strive for mastery.

What do you mean by a "running partner"?

Running Partners are classmates who meet together regularly to set goals and hold each other accountable for meeting those goals. Running Partners encourage and inspire each other by asking good questions, listening and providing affirmation.

Will children be grouped into years?

We believe that children learn best when working with children younger and older than themselves rather than split up into groups based solely on age. In addition to individualised curriculum, all ages of students work together in groups.

No teachers…?

There are no on stage teachers or teacher-as-authority figures.

Learners today have access to the greatest teachers in the world - from Charles Darwin to William Shakespeare - including the learner sitting beside them.

It all depends on how you define the role of teacher.

To find out more, click here.

What is the Socratic Method?

In the Socratic Method, the ‘adult figure’ serves as a guide, setting up scenarios and asking questions to stimulate critical thinking and independent learning. We believe that through discussing and actively making arguments to support their beliefs, children gain a better understanding of a topic compared to passively taking notes during a lecture.

Does Beaufort House School accept pupils with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND)?

Yes. We review every application individually and will consider reasonable adjustments where needed.

What do you mean by "every child can change the world"?

We mean every child can grow into someone who makes a real contribution - to a family, a community, a craft, a team, a business, or a cause. Over time, learners discover what they enjoy, what they’re good at, and where they can be genuinely useful, and we help them build the competence and character to do that well.

You can call it purpose, or ‘ikigai’; finding the overlap between what you love, what you’re good at, and what the world needs.

What does an average school day look like?

Our learning time is broken into morning Socratic discussions, core skills time, collaborative learning quests, civilisation discussions, writers workshops, and free time. Multiple outside breaks are an important part of each day. Using the incredible eLearning tools now available, we are able to provide the rigour needed for learning maths, vocabulary, spelling, and grammar in about 90 minutes each day, while freeing up the rest of the day for engaging, project-based collaborative learning.

Are you accredited?

Yes. We are accredited by the International Association of Learner-Driven Schools (IALDS) and by the Independent Schools Association (ISA).

Why a 'Learner Driven' Classroom?

At Beaufort House School we encourage learners to take responsibility for their own behaviour and hold those around them to a high standard. When something isn't working, we want them to work together to solve the problem, not look for an adult to solve it for them. This creates a sense of independence and confidence that will serve them well in all areas of life.

How do you assess and monitor learning progress?

Learners take part in mastery based learning and work toward goals specified on their personalised learning plans. Their SMART goals and academic progress are tracked and fully accessible to parents.

Individualised self reflections are shared with parents in multiple "journey meetings" throughout the year and include the learner, their Guide, and the learner's parents.

We track progress in three ways: daily mastery in core skills, visible work (portfolios and presentations), and periodic external benchmarks.

‍What parents can expect to see
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• Daily / weekly goal tracking (habits & work output)
• Mastery tracking in reading, writing and maths
• A portfolio of work (written work, projects, reflections)
• Exhibitions / presentations at the end of Quests (so learning is public and accountable)
• External benchmarking (aligned with UK independent schools)

In the secondary phase (launching later), GCSE English and Maths will be the default expectation, unless an alternative pathway is agreed with the family and learner. Other qualifications can be added where they serve the learner’s goals.

Parents can review academic progress by accessing "Journey Tracker", our proprietary app through which learners track their goals and progress.

How much time is spent on computers?

Our blended learning model allows each child to spend a small portion of the school day working on core academic work that is matched to his or her ability. This equates to approximately 90 minutes, or less, per day, for most learners, depending on the Studio they are in. A personalised learning plan along with weekly and daily goal setting helps direct this time. Additionally, learners may access their computers in order to conduct research or to write during group and individual projects.

Is it really possible for students to complete core skills in only 90 minutes each day?

Yes, it is! A huge amount of time is wasted in traditional education because of low level disruption and distractions, disengaged students, and inefficient learning methods. Beaufort House School approaches learning radically different from the traditional model of a one-size-fits-all lecture, with passive students who are required to move at the same pace as the rest of the class. Using a learner driven model, we allow each individual to set their own goals, choose learning platforms that work for them, and provide a consistent atmosphere of reward and accountability.

What is the homework policy?

We do not set homework. However, many of our learners set their own ambitious goals and, in turn, may choose to supplement their classroom learning with learning or work on a project about which they are passionate at home. Reading for pleasure is always encouraged!

Will you prepare my teenager for university?

Our promise at Beaufort House School is to have learners well prepared for any selective university, enabling them to score high enough on any standardised admittance test. Once over the test-taking barrier at the university of your learner's choice, their portfolio and critical thinking skills will provide a significant advantage during the application and interviewing process. Most importantly, learners are well prepared to shine in the real world, whether they choose to go to university full time, part time or not at all.

How do you ensure a high quality learning environment?

Deep at the core of Beaufort House School is our commitment to serving customers and receiving transparent feedback. Because of this, we ask families to participate in regular Satisfaction Surveys, where we ask them to rate us on how well we accomplished our promises, and offer us feedback. We then share the results with the community.

How are parents expected to be involved?

We believe parents are the most influential adults in any child's educational journey, and we exist to empower and reinforce that relationship. Parents, learners, and Guides will work together throughout the year to set appropriate learning plans and goals. Parents are asked to be involved in our Exhibition gatherings every 6 weeks where the learners showcase all of their academic progress in Core Skills and Quest projects. We offer many community building events throughout the year for families, and parents are welcomed and encouraged to participate.

Do you offer drama, art and music?

Yes! From musical theatre to Shakespeare, glow-in-the-dark contemporary painting to making music with ukuleles, boomwhackers, and paint buckets, learners experience varied and unique drama, art and music experiences.

Do you offer team sports?

Yes! We embrace a deep commitment to physical fitness and overall health awareness. Learners explore a variety of physical activities ranging from football, rugby, cricket, golf, track and field, hiking, dance, and rock climbing, and we strongly support good sportsmanship and teamwork. Many of our students also participate in a wide variety of local sporting leagues.

What does your motto Tende Supra mean?

Tende Supra is Latin for "Aim Up", a call to rise, grow, and pursue your highest potential. It’s the spirit behind everything we do.

At its heart, it means:
• Continuous Growth: A lifelong commitment to improving mentally, physically and morally; not chasing quick wins, but real transformation.
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• High Ambition: Like wishing on a star, it means daring to dream big. Set bold goals that stretch you. Even if you fall short, you’ll rise higher than if you aimed low.
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• Moral Elevation: “Aiming up” also means taking personal responsibility, choosing integrity, and striving toward what is meaningful, not what is easy.
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• Overcoming Limits: Reject ceilings. Look beyond fear, self doubt, and circumstance. Up is the direction of freedom.
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• Daily Action: True elevation happens one step at a time; in your work, your mindset, and how you treat others.

And because our logo is the North Star, Tende Supra also means finding your direction. The North Star has guided travellers for centuries, not just to navigate, but to orient themselves toward purpose and truth.

In summary: Aim Up is more than a motto, it’s a way of living. Dream boldly. Act bravely. Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet moving forward.