04 Sep 2026

Beechwood Park School launches new film celebrating the start of its educational journey

Beechwood Park School, near St Albans in Hertfordshire, has launched a new film shining a spotlight on its award-winning Woodlands Nursery and Early Years setting, offering families an authentic glimpse into where the School’s co-educational journey for children aged 3–13 begins.

At the heart of the film are the authentic voices of current parents, who share their own experiences of their children’s earliest days at Beechwood Park.

Rather than following a script, parents were invited to speak openly about their experiences, providing a warm and genuine insight into life at Woodlands Nursery and the wider Early Years setting.

The film also takes viewers inside Beechwood Park’s classrooms and extensive grounds, showing how learning, play and exploration come together to nurture curiosity, confidence and a love of learning from the very start.

Christian Pritchard, Headmaster of Beechwood Park School, said:

“Ensuring a child's educational journey is crafted to help them learn well, from the very beginning, is key to their long term success. Our new film aims to showcase what that journey, at Beechwood Park, really looks like for children and their families.

“What makes this film particularly powerful is the ability to hear first-hand from our parents, in an entirely unscripted way. It highlights their own genuine experiences of the School, which I think gives families, considering Beechwood Park, a brilliantly natural insight into our Early Years provision.”

Sally Le-May, Head of Marketing at Beechwood Park School said:

“It was a genuine privilege to hear our parents speak so openly about their experiences of Beechwood Park, their warmth and honesty capture something very special about our school and the community at its heart.”

Set within Beechwood Park School’s 60-acre estate near St Albans and Harpenden, Woodlands Nursery welcomes children from the term in which they turn three. Children benefit from specialist teaching and facilities across the wider School, alongside extensive opportunities for outdoor learning and exploration.

Woodlands Nursery forms the beginning of a continuous co-educational education at Beechwood Park through to age 13, enabling children to grow and develop within a familiar school community as they progress from Nursery into Reception and beyond.

The new film forms part of Beechwood Park’s ongoing work to help prospective families discover more about the School and the experiences available to children during these formative early years.

To learn more visit www.beechwoodpark.com

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20 Aug 2026

Historic garden design reappears at Beechwood Park during summer drought

A hidden piece of Beechwood Park's history has emerged from the school's grounds after recent dry weather revealed the outline of a long-lost formal garden.

Parchmarks visible across the school's lawns have uncovered the shape of a former parterre, offering a rare glimpse into the historic landscape of the Markyate-based preparatory school.

The distinctive patterns, visible from the air, were identified through drone photography and compared with historical records, including an old postcard and images featured in The Beechwood Companion by Tim Rowe.

The findings reveal striking similarities between the modern-day parchmarks and the original garden design.

Beechwood Park sits within a landscape designed by the celebrated 18th-century landscape architect Capability Brown, whose work can also be found at some of Britain's most famous estates, including Blenheim Palace, Chatsworth House and Longleat.

Recent hot, dry conditions across the country have led to similar historic features reappearing at a number of heritage sites, as differences in soil depth and moisture retention reveal traces of long-buried structures and landscaping.

Tom Robinson, Head of Grounds at Beechwood Park, said:

"We've all been fascinated by the historic garden features emerging at some of the country's great estates this summer, so to find evidence of Beechwood Park's own parterre appearing in our lawns was incredibly exciting. Seeing the drone photographs alongside historic images has given us a remarkable glimpse into the past and a greater appreciation of the landscape we're privileged to look after today."

The discovery has generated significant interest among the Beechwood Park community, offering a unique opportunity to explore another chapter in the history of the estate.

The drone imagery, viewed alongside historic photographs and illustrations, demonstrates how elements of the original design can still be traced today, despite decades of change to the landscape.

For Beechwood Park, the reveal is a timely reminder that history is not confined to archives and textbooks. It remains embedded within the grounds themselves, waiting for the right conditions to emerge.

Beechwood Park is a leading independent preparatory school in Markyate, Hertfordshire, educating children aged 3 to 13.

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08 Jul 2026

Beechwood Park Head's magical Speech Day message continues to capture hearts

Beechwood Park Headmaster's magical Speech Day message continues to capture hearts.

What began as a memorable Speech Day moment at Beechwood Park School continues to resonate with audiences across the region and beyond.

Following coverage by BBC Three Counties Radio, the Herts Advertiser, Luton Today and the Hemel Gazette, Mr Pritchard's Instagram Reel has continued to gather momentum, attracting more than 70,000 views and hundreds of positive comments celebrating its uplifting message about children's confidence and potential.

The short video shows Mr Pritchard transforming a bottle of still water into fizzy Coca-Cola as a metaphor for the strengths, talents and "sparkle" that exist within every child.

Speaking on BBC Three Counties Radio, Mr Pritchard explained that while the magic trick may have caught people's attention, the real message was that every child has something special to offer. By recognising their own strengths and developing a positive "can do" attitude, children can flourish both in school and beyond.

The overwhelming response to the Reel has been a wonderful reminder that positive stories about education continue to resonate with families and communities.

Mr Pritchard remains available for interview to discuss the inspiration behind the Speech Day message, the importance of nurturing confidence in young people and why helping every child discover their unique strengths lies at the heart of a Beechwood Park education.

You can watch the Reel here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DadQHRtg8rh/

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