Founded in 1952, the main building of the school is Lavant House, a listed Sussex flintstone house. It is set in 10 acres of gardens and playing fields just north of Chichester, between the South Downs and the sea. The school enjoys a family atmosphere and has many of the advantages of being small: personalised teaching leading to good examination results, excellent staff/pupil relationships, and the involvement of all pupils in major extra-curricular activities. There are good drama and music departments and a fine sporting record, especially in netball and athletics. There are riding stables next to the school, an active Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and successful public speaking and debating societies.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 165 girls (140 day, 25 boarding). Junior department 3-11, 40 girls. Senior department 11-18, 125 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 11-13. Entry by own assessment tests, sometimes Common Entrance; for sixth form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C. No special skills or religious requirements, although the school has a broadly Christian ethos. 15+% of senior intake from state schools, 50+% from own junior department.
Some scholarships, value up to 20% of fees, awarded at 11, 13 and 16; also music scholarships. Discounts for services families, old girls and siblings. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.
Headmistress; Mrs K Bartholomew, in post from 2009. Educated at University of East Anglia, Homerton College, Cambridge and the Institute of Education. Previously Senior Mistress at the school and taught in schools in London, Suffolk, Hertfordshire and Berkshire. Teaching staff 13 full time, 19 part time.
GCSE: 26 pupils in Year 11, 54% gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects, 23% in 5-7 subjects (an average of 8.6 subjects). A-levels: 7 in upper sixth, 29% passing in 4+ subjects, 71% in 3 subjects, with an average final point score of 359.
100% of sixth form leavers go on to university (some after a gap year), to courses in medicine, pharmacy, languages, engineering, media, history, classics, English and teaching.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 16 AS/A-level subjects offered. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. Key skills integrated into sixth-form courses. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: EFL and dyslexia teaching (both extra). Languages: French, Spanish and Latin offered at GCSE and A-level; all languages compulsory from 11-14. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 40+ computers for pupil use (12 hours a day), 20 networked and most with email and internet access.
Music: Over 50% of pupils learn one or more musical instruments; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include choirs, instrumental groups. Drama: GCSE drama, AS and A-level theatre studies and LAMDA exams may be taken. Majority of pupils involved in school productions, including musicals. Art and design: Pottery, textiles, photography and history of art also offered.
Sport: Netball, hockey, swimming, athletics, tennis, rounders, gymnastics compulsory. Optional: badminton, volleyball, squash, riding. Sport is compulsory throughout the school. GCSE PE, A-level sports studies and BHS exams may be taken. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. Other activities vary but include eg Red Cross First Aid course, jazz dance, cookery, creative writing, debating and public speaking.
Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head girl, heads of house and games captain, appointed by school and Headmistress. School Council. Religion: Church of England. Morning assembly; parish church used for special occasions. Social: Organised trips abroad include language and art (to eg Granada), netball tour (Barbados), ski trip (France) and activity holidays in France every summer. Pupils allowed to bring own horse, bike or car to school. Meals self-service. No alcohol allowed.
Pupils failing to produce homework once would be reprimanded, detention for subsequent failures; those caught smoking cannabis or bringing alcohol onto the premises could expect expulsion.
25% of pupils have their own study bedrooms; others in dormitories of up to 5. Senior pupils may provide and cook own snacks. Exeats at half term plus any other weekend; weekly and casual boarding available. Senior pupils may visit town after school, junior pupils accompanied on Saturdays. Other weekend outings and activities.
is run c/o the school. An old girls' network, Lavant Exchange, is run by Terry Carlysle (email lavantexchange@aol.com)
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