Football Programme

Bede's School

Hailsham, East Sussex (South East)Ages 3-18 |Football
⚽ Prestige Partner School
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Outstanding creative and performing arts alongside academics
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140-acre campus with exceptional sports facilities
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Strong sporting tradition with professional pathways in multiple sports
About the school

Bede's School

Spread across 140 acres of Sussex countryside near the South Downs, Bede's has earned a national reputation for producing elite athletes, creative artists, and increasingly, professional footballers. The school fields 14 competitive teams across boys' and girls' squads, coached by ex-professionals including Dan Harding (Brighton, Southampton, Ipswich Town). Recently, ESFA (all English Schools) U18 National Champions, Bede's competes in the HUDL Independent Schools League and runs pre-season tours to Portugal, all within a school that prizes the creative arts as highly as the beautiful game.

Bede's School campus
Bede's School grounds
Heritage & History
Bede's has evolved from a traditional Sussex school into one of the south of England's most dynamic independent schools, earning particular renown for its creative arts programme and its ability to develop elite athletes. Its football alumni include James Norwood, England winger Solly March, and Chelsea Women's player Lola Brown — a record that speaks to the quality of coaching and the culture of high performance.
Football Programme

Coaching & Development

Bede's Football Programme features 14 competitive teams across boys and girls squads, coached by ex-professionals including Dan Harding (Brighton, Southampton, Ipswich Town) and David Caryer (UEFA A Licensed). Players compete in the HUDL Independent Schools League and ESFA national competitions, with pre-season tours to Portugal. The programme integrates professional-level S&C, video analysis, and individualised player development plans within a holistic school environment.

Facilities & Resources
  • 140-acre grounds
  • Sports Centre
  • 3G pitches
  • Swimming pool
  • Theatre
  • Art studios
  • Music school
  • Dance studio

Training Ground

Where Champions Train

World-class facilities designed to develop the next generation of footballing talent.

140-acre groundsSports centre3G pitchesSwimming poolTheatreArt studios
Meet the Team

The coaches behind the programme

David Caryer

David Caryer

Director of Football

A UEFA A Licensed coach, David has built Bede's into one of the south of England's most competitive football schools. His connections within the professional game allow Bede's to attract fixtures against professional club academies, and his programme has produced alumni including Solly March (Brighton & England), and Kobe Agbude (Brentford), demonstrating a genuine pathway into professional football.

Dan Harding

Dan Harding

Football Coach

A former professional with Brighton & Hove Albion, Southampton, and Ipswich Town, Dan brings Premier League and Championship experience to his coaching at Bede's. His career at the top of the English game gives him a first-hand understanding of the technical standards and professional habits required at the next level — knowledge he passes directly to Bede's players in every session. You can see his Wikipedia page here

Oliver Davies

Oliver Davies

Football Coach

Oliver is Director of Swerve Football Academy alongside his role at Bede's, running one of the South East's most respected youth development programmes. His expertise in identifying and nurturing young talent — combined with an extensive network of professional contacts — makes him a key figure in the player pathway at Bede's, supporting students looking to progress into professional football or US college scholarships.

Notable Alumni

Graduates who turned pro

Solly March

(click player for more information)

Kobe Mayengo Agbude

Accolades

Track record

ESFA U18 National Champions HUDL Independent Schools League Champions ISFA member — 14 competitive football teams (boys & girls)Alumni: Solly March (Brighton, England), Lola Brown (Chelsea, England)Alumni: James Norwood (Ipswich Town), Kobe Agbude (Brentford B)Pre-season tours to Portugal140-acre campus with 3G pitches and sports centre
Location

Hailsham, East Sussex (South East)

Bede's is situated in the village of Upper Dicker, near Hailsham in East Sussex, within the South Downs National Park. The school's 170-acre campus provides a stunning rural setting, yet Eastbourne is just eight miles away and Gatwick Airport is 35 miles north, offering good international access.

Nearest city
Eastbourne (8 miles)
Distance to London
65 miles
Nearest airports
Gatwick (LGW) — 35 miles, Heathrow (LHR) — 70 miles
Hailsham, East Sussex (South East)
Fees

Investment

Day
From £27,000/year
Boarding (UK)
From £53,000/year
Boarding (international)
From £53,000/year
Next Steps

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