In the Darvell and Beech Grove communities, our children are educated in our own non-maintained, independent day care centres and schools until the age of 16, when they complete the GCSE exams. These facilities are inspected regularly by Ofsted.

For young children, we follow many of the ideas of Friedrich Froebel (1782-1852), the visionary educator and founder of the first kindergartens. He said, “A child who plays thoroughly and with determination until he is too tired to continue will become a thorough, determined man, capable of self-sacrifice for the welfare of himself and others”. We strive to provide an environment in which our children can remain children for as long as possible.

For the older ones, the character lessons of hard work, honesty and compassion are integrated into a rigorous academic curriculum. Also, a strong connection to the natural world instead of a technology-centred environment is fundamental to our approach.

Academics however, are only one facet of the well-rounded education we provide each child. We feel an obligation to let each child thrive, and - rather than moulding him or her according to our expectations - to guide the child toward becoming the person the Creator intended him to become. We also believe it is vital for them to interact with people from all over the world, and to develop a sense of obligation to others less fortunate than they.

All students complete the GCSE courses with class results significantly above the national average. After this, some continue with further formal education at local colleges, while others learn a trade or gain hands-on experience working or volunteering for other organizations.

Children who have grown up in one of our communities do not automatically become members but, upon reaching adulthood, are encouraged to try their wings elsewhere. It is our goal that the education they receive, in school and the family, should give them confidence and purpose in whatever path of life they may choose.