Bethany School, Cranbrook
Bethany School is an independent school for pupils aged 11 to 18 in Cranbrook. It has a Christian religious character. It is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted; its most recent ISI inspection was a routine inspection in April 2026.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Bethany School in detail
Bethany School in its own words
In its own words: "At Bethany School, we believe education is about far more than examination results alone. It is about helping every young person discover their strengths, develop their character and become the very best version of themselves. Our aim is to provide an environment in which pupils feel known, valued and supported, whilst being challenged to grow in confidence, ambition and independence."
From the headteacher's welcome: "Everyone has their own story to tell. That’s what brings us together. We celebrate individuality and encourage originality. Bethany School. Altogether Original. Small class sizes are fundamental to our success, allowing our teachers to target and develop the abilities of each individual, offering support and guidance as they work through our broad and balanced curriculum together."
Clubs and activities named on the school's website include swimming, karate, chess and Duke of Edinburgh.
Coming up: an open evening on Thursday 5 November 2026 and an admissions event on Wednesday 11 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.
Vision and values (school website)Headteacher's welcome (school website)Clubs (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Bethany School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other independent schools to Bethany School are The Dulwich School Cranbrook (4.3 miles) and Benenden School (5.7 miles).
Where pupils go next
Of the 40 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 48% went on to university or other higher education, 5% to apprenticeships and 18% into work.
Who goes there
In 2026, 233 pupils (75.4%) received SEN support and 1 (0.3%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Marden Rail Station, about 2.7 miles away in a straight line.
3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Curtisden Green (adjacent), 230 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 1 crime within a mile of the school, most often burglary. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Kent (101).
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE destination measures; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASISI Inspection Reports
Independent schools in England are inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), not Ofsted.
Routine Inspection
28 April 2026
Educational Quality / Focused Compliance
18 April 2023
Regulatory Compliance
23 January 2019
Integrated
19 January 2016
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Latest from Bethany School
Bringing Curiosity, Courage and Compassion to Life
5 Oct 2026
An Afternoon of Athletics and House Spirit
21 Sep 2026
Lucien Joins British Shooting Pathway
16 Sep 2026
A True Adventure Across Vietnam and Cambodia
15 Sep 2026
Beginning A New Chapter
14 Sep 2026
GCSE Results 2026: Bethany Pupils Celebrate Outstanding Results
20 Aug 2026
From Bethany School's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Social & online
Keep up with Bethany School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 1
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 0
- Children hurt
- 0
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 1 road collision in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 0 serious and 1 slight.
No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt.
0 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Kent is 11 (the median across 711 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
69%
Available places
309 pupils
450 places
141 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Cranbrook
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Cranbrook
Across Kent council
Places available
19,539
Applications
18,644
Got 1st preference
78.9%
Got preferred school
96.2%
All secondary applications across Kent council (2026/27), not just this school.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
233
SEN Support
1
EHC Plans
75.7%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
309
Total Pupils
194
Boys
115
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Questions parents ask about Bethany School
What are GCSE results like at Bethany School?
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Bethany School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
When was Bethany School last inspected?
Bethany School is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted. Its most recent ISI inspection was a routine inspection in April 2026.
How many pupils go to Bethany School?
Bethany School has around 309 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to Bethany School?
Bethany School is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
How many road collisions happen near Bethany School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 1 road collision in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 0 serious and 1 slight. No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt. 0 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Kent is 11 (the median across 711 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Bethany School?
Bethany School is at Goudhurst, Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 1LB.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)