Founded 1933 and is the prep school for Hurspierpoint College. It stands in 140 acres amid open countryside, just to the north of the South Downs and 9 miles from Brighton. It shares the site with both the pre-prep and senior schools and has access to many of the senior school's facilities including the sports hall, swimming pool, astroturf, music school, 250-seat theatre and drama and dance studios. Originally a boys' school, it has been co-educational since 1993. The school aims to enable pupils to realise their potential academically, creatively and in sport; to have started to become independent learners; and to develop moral values and an awareness of what it means to be a good citizen. The school is strong in both the creative arts and in sport. Almost all pupils go on to Hurspierpoint senior school.
Pupils: Age range 7–13, 246 pupils; 241 day (157 boys, 84 girls), 5 weekly boarding boys . Entrance: Main entry ages 7, 11. Entrance is academically selective: own entry assessments used, more formal at age 11. Two classes throughout (of approx 16). No special skills or religious requirements; a Christian school but welcomes those of other faiths or none.
14 scholarships awarded, value £250-£1500 a term: 2 academic at age 7, 12 at age 11 (9 academic, 3 sport). 1–2 bursaries available at age 11 (may be used to supplement a scholarship if necessary). Parent not expected to buy textbooks. Average extras, £648 for instrumental tuition.
Over 60% live within 30 miles.
Head: Mrs Heather Beeby, in post since 2006. Educated at Bullers Wood School for Girls and London University (MA science, education). Previously Head of St Christopher's, Hove, Deputy Head of Brighton College Prep School, Senior Mistress and Head of Science at Thomas's, Battersea. Teaching staff: 32 full-time, 4 part-time. Annual turnover 10%. Average age 35.
Pupils take entrance exam for own senior school, Hurstpierpoint.
96% of pupils go on to Hurstpierpoint senior school; special entry exam for pupils from the prep school.
All National Curriculum subjects taught. Specialist subject teachers introduced at age 7 and 8 for some subjects, age 9 for all subjects. PSHE and citizenship lesson every fortnight; many aspects developed through the general ethos of school. Special provision: Specialist ESL teacher for those who are not native English speakers. Languages: French taught from age 7, Latin from 11. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject (from age 7) and across the curriculum. All pupils have access to ICT suite and a laptop trolley; all classrooms have smartboards.
Up to 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams may be taken. Musical groups include orchestras, jazz group, strings, brass ensemble, percussion and several choirs (including strong chapel choir). All pupils involved in school drama productions. Annie, Alice in Wonderland, jazz concert and scholars play recently. Specialist art facilities. Music, drama, dance and art all offered as extra-curricular activities (and part of the curriculum).
Compulsory sports: football, rugby, cricket (boys); netball, rounders, (girls); hockey, tennis, swimming (all). Optional: squash, ninjitsu, badminton, golf. On-site sports facilities, plus local golf course. Extensive fixture list; regular sports tours. Activities: Up to 30 clubs and activities including warhammer, cooking, dance, ninjitsu, Spanish. Regular success in local Latin-speaking competition and intermediate maths challenge (1 gold medal, with pupil entering the European round).
Uniform: School uniform worn. Houses: Competitive houses. Prefects (voted by pupils and staff), school council (voted by class pupils), librarians (chosen by staff librarian). Religion: Church of England. Attendance at religious worship compulsory. Social: 2 pupils on Burgess Hill Youth Council. Trips abroad include visit to France, annual ski trip, sports tours (eg hockey and cricket to South Africa, netball to Spain). Pupils allowed to bring own bike/scooter to school. Meals cafeteria-style, compulsory; pupils not expected to bring their own food to school. Most pupils travel to school by school bus or car; school bus service runs after eg matches, after-school clubs. Some supervision available before and after school (8am to 6pm).
Any pupil failing to produce homework on time would be expected to attend lunch-time prep to catch up; any caught stealing would be given detention or suspended. Discipline is good and behavioural issues rare.
Pupils in dormitories of up to 8; single-sex accommodation. Resident matron. Flexi-boarding offered. Pupils not allowed into local town.
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