The New Beacon is proud to be Tonbridge School’s main feeder school, a relationship that was enhanced when the schools merged in 2021, reflecting our shared ethos, values, academic rigour and aspiration. 

Tonbridge is a leading boys’ boarding and day school from 13+ and is highly respected for providing a world-class education both in the UK and internationally. 

Together, we are part of a wider family of schools overseen by the Skinners’ Company, one of the Great Twelve Livery Companies of the City of London and a major not-for-profit organisation supporting ten schools in London and Kent. 

What this means in practice 

Whilst The New Beacon and Tonbridge School retain their own leadership, academic staff, uniform and site, the schools work closely together for optimal efficiency and effectiveness. This extends to the two Governing Bodies who work together to ensure strategic alignment. 

In practice, this means that The New Beacon’s pupils benefit from using Tonbridge’s extensive facilities for events such as our annual Carol Service and sports fixtures; academic and co-curricular enrichment sessions; as well as holiday programmes via Recr8. Our academic leads collaborate to ensure curriculum alignment (notably the Bridge Curriculum linking Years 7, 8 and 9) and shared tracking, enabling our pupils to access an Assured Pathway to Tonbridge School at the end of Year 5. 

The Assured Pathway 

The Assured Pathway means that pupils may receive an Offer in Principle for Tonbridge School at the end of Year 5 without completing the ISEB Pre-Test. This reflects our commitment to minimising uncertainty around school transition for our pupils, whilst maintaining Tonbridge’s academically selective entry criteria. Further information about the Tonbridge School Admissions process, including the Experience Afternoon that those with an Offer in Principle will be invited to attend, is available on Tonbridge School’s website. 

Participation in the Assured Pathway does not prevent pupils from applying to other schools and we will continue to support children in applying to a wide range of senior school destinations.  This will ensure that our pupils move on to the most appropriate destination for them, ensuring that they will continue to thrive following their time with us. 

Reduced Registration and Admission Fees to Tonbridge 

Boys who apply from The New Beacon to Tonbridge will receive a 50% reduction in the Registration Fee and a 20% reduction in the Admission Fee, refunded against the first term’s fee invoice after joining Tonbridge. Please visit Tonbridge School’s Admission pages for further information.