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What it's like

Founded as a Woodard school in 1858, it lies on a large estate in one of the most beautiful parts of Sussex. At the heart of its handsome buildings is the chapel. With its own pre-prep and prep school and a mix of boarding and day, the aim is very much to be a friendly family school. It has been fully co-educational since 1982. It has a fine pastoral system based on individual tutors for each pupil. It provides a good all-round education and has strong academic credentials. It offers the IB alongside A-levels, so that students have a choice of courses; examination results are good. The staff:pupil ratio is very favourable, about 1:9. There is music, art and drama, the CCF, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and a very well-organised house system; plus an extensive sporting programme.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 2½-18; 841 pupils, 599 day (362 boys, 237 girls), 242 boarding (141 boys, 101 girls). Junior school, 2½-13, 356 pupils (207 boys, 149 girls). Senior department 13-18, 485 pupils (296 boys, 189 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 7, 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own entrance exam used. For sixth form entry; essay, verbal reasoning test, interview, and 6 GCSEs at least grade B. No special skills except for scholarship candidates. 25% of intakes at 11 and 16 from state schools (few at 13); 50% of senior intake from own prep school.

Scholarships & bursaries

40+ pa scholarships, value from honorary to 50% of fees: majority academic, others all-rounder, sport, art, drama, DT, music. Majority at 13, others at 11 and 16. Bursaries to supplement scholarships and 2 pa for children of clergy.

Parents

50+% live within 30 miles; 20+% live overseas.

Head & staff

Headmaster: Peter Green, in post from 2007. Previously Second Master at Ampleforth. Teaching staff: 85 full time, 11 part time. Annual turnover 10%. Average age 38.

Exam results

GCSE: On average, 95 pupils in fifth year. 96% gain at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-level/IB: 100 in upper sixth. 62% of those taking AS/A-levels pass in 4+ subjects; 36% in 3 subjects. Of those taking the IB Diploma, the average IB score is 35.

Pupils' destinations

99% go onto degree courses (approx 20% after a gap year), some 6% to Oxbridge; small number study abroad. 30% take courses in science, maths & engineering, 40% in humanities & social sciences, 20% in business-related courses, 10% in art, design and music.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS, A-levels and IB Diploma. 20+ sixth form subjects (including economics, philosophy, theatre studies, PE and psychology). Sixth form: Some 45% of pupils take the IB Diploma, 55% AS/A-levels (most take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level, excluding general studies). Key skills are integrated into sixth form courses. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Specialist remedial teaching available; some EFL from qualified staff. Languages: French, German, Latin, Mandarin and Spanish offered to GCSE and A-level. Regular visits to France, Germany and Spain. Increasing number of British bi- or tri-lingual pupils. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 100 computers for pupil use (12 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access. Year 12 take ECDL.

The arts

Music: Up to 75% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 5 musical groups including Ardingly Singers, choir, jazz band. Drama and dance: Drama offered. All pupils are involved in school productions and majority in house/other productions. Art and design: Design, pottery, textiles, photography, fine art also offered.

Sports & activities

Sport: Hockey, football, cricket, tennis, volleyball, netball, swimming, basketball, sailing, riding, fencing, yoga, karate, squash, table tennis etc. A-level sports studies may be taken. Independent schools ski and snowboard champions recently; area team representatives. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF and community service optional. Up to 30 clubs, including computer, debating, public speaking, equestrian, bee-keeping; various academic societies and sporting and music, literature and poetry groups.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn; dress code in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects appointed after consultation. Religion: Anglican. Social: Continuous contact with local schools. Academic trips abroad include to Gambia (annually); Kenya and India; art trips to Paris and Florence; language visits to Spain, Germany and France; many other organised trips abroad. Day pupils allowed to bring own car or bike to school. Meals self-service. School shop. Alcohol permitted in supervised bar for upper sixth only.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework once could expect a warning and detention for a second offence. Those smoking cannabis could expect suspension for 2-3 weeks, counselling and put on drug testing programme. A second offence would result in expulsion.

Boarding

80% have single or double study bedrooms; 20% in rooms of 3-4. Houses of 40+, single-sex except for upper sixth house. 3 resident qualified nurses. Central dining room. Pupils can provide and cook some own food. Half term (4-14 days). Visits to the local town allowed when free, to 6.00 pm (4.30 pm winter).

Association of former pupils

Mrs Gesa Paulfeierborn, c/o the school.

Former pupils

Terry Thomas (comic actor); Dr Hayes (Director of National Portrait Gallery); Cdr Longhurst (potential astronaut); Ian Hislop (Private Eye); Jay Wynne (weatherman); Stephen Oliver (composer); Andrew Bowden and T Gorst (MPs).