Land was acquired from Lord Amherst's Montreal Park estate at Cross Keys, and construction of The New Beacon began in February 1899.

The exterior of the building changed little over the century, but the addition of a chapel in 1912 meant that the children no longer had to walk to Kippington.

Other facilities included swimming baths, a miniature rifle range, a playground and two sports fields.

During the First World War, staffing was depleted and the school's grounds and gardens had to be tended by staff and pupils.

[12] The statements related to allegations made by the boy against Paul Woodward, a former music teacher, for abusing him at the school between 2005 and 2006.

The Sevenoaks Chronicle reported that Woodward, who was convicted of sexual misconduct offences against other children and sent to prison indefinitely had been suspended from his post at the school during a previous police investigation involving allegations of sexual abuse but had been allowed back to work by a previous headmaster.