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: 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.
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.
50+% live within 30 miles; 20+% live overseas.
Headmaster: Peter Green, in post from 2007. Educated at St Joseph’s College, Dumfries, at Edinburgh University (geography) and St Andrew’s University (education). Previously Second Master at Ampleforth, Housemaster and Head of Geography at Uppingham and taught geography at both Strathallan and at St Olave’s Grammar School. Also Member of Local Academic Board, Brighton & Sussex University Hospital NHS Trust. Prep School Headmaster: Chris Calvey, in post since 2007. Educated at Bearwood College and Westminster College Oxford (education). Previously Deputy Head of Bishopsgate School, Englefield Green, and Housemaster of Feltonfleet School, Cobham. Teaching staff: 85 full time, 11 part time. Annual turnover 10%. Average age 38.
GCSE: On average, 95 pupils in fifth year. 96% gain at least grade C in 8+ subjects (69% of pupils included English, maths, a science, a humanity and a modern language). 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 36.1.
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.
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.
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: Pupils take GCSE, AS and A-level art & design and IB visual arts. Textiles, fine art, photography, ceramics, mixed media, installations, 3 & 2D design, life drawing offered. Annual overseas tours. Royal Academy competition winner (2010).
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.
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 eg Gambia, 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.
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.
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).
Mrs Jane Dumeresque, Development Director, c/o the school.
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).
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