Founded in 1845, it stands on high ground in the Kemp Town district of Brighton. It enjoys handsome buildings (the school chapel, which is in regular use, is especially striking) in attractive surroundings with ample playing fields. There has been a major investment programme recently, to ensure that facilities continue to meet the expectations of today's families. Originally a boys' school, girls were first admitted to the sixth form in 1973, and throughout the school in 1988. The teaching is of a high standard and examination results are very good. It is a good all-round school, with plenty of regard for the less talented. A dyslexia centre for some 100 intelligent children, produces strong academic results. There is a school committee, elected by pupils. Strong in music, art and drama; also in sports and games, with many county and national representatives. It offers a wide range of activities (140 clubs and societies outside of the classroom) and there is considerable involvement in local community schemes. Full use is made of the cultural amenities of Brighton and nearby London. The school is setting up a number of franchise schools overseas, starting with Brighton College Abu Dhabi in 2011.
Pupils: Age range 11-18; 806 pupils, 571 day (341 boys, 230 girls), 235 boarding (130 boys, 105 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance used. Pupils with a positive contribution to make in any sphere are welcomed. No religious requirements but the college is a C of E foundation. 50% of intake from own prep school, Brighton College Prep School.
Some scholarships (including academic, art, music), value 10%-50% of fees, awarded at age 11 and 13; also a scholarship scheme with a comprehensive school in Newham. Also bursaries for eg clergy or forces children. Parents expected to buy textbooks.
60% live within 30 miles, up to 10% live overseas.
Head Master: Richard Cairns, in post since 2005. Educated at Oxford University (history). Previously Usher (Deputy Head) at Magdalen College School, Head of History at Stewart’s Melville and taught at The Oratory. Has also worked as a trainee solicitor in Sydney, Australia, and as a volunteer teacher in a refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. Teaching staff: 78 full time, 17 part time. Annual turnover 4%. Average age 37.
GCSE: 140 pupils in upper fifth; 99% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 156 in upper sixth, passing an average of 3.4 subjects with an average final point score of 438.
98% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (30% after a gap year), 12% to Oxbridge. 12% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 28% in science and engineering, 26% in humanities and social sciences, 35% in art, drama and music.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 30+% take science/engineering A-levels; 39% arts/humanities; under 30% a mixture. Vocational: Work experience available: also some vocational qualifications. Special provision: Dyslexia centre for children assessed as dyslexic but with high intelligence, to take a suitably adjusted GCSE course within the normal curriculum, with the opportunity to proceed to A-levels. Languages: All pupils take French, Spanish, Mandarin and Latin; all offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges to France. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 90 computers for pupil use (12 hours a day), most networked and with email and internet access. Most pupils take Certificate of Competence.
Music: Approx 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams taken. Many musical groups including 5 orchestras, 7 choirs, concert band, string band, numerous chamber groups and rock bands. Members of Brighton and East Sussex youth orchestras; finalists in National Chamber Music for Schools competition. Choral society regularly participates in the Brighton Festival; chamber choir has performed at Whitehall and toured the Czech Republic. Regular entrants to university music courses and Oxbridge organ and choral scholars. 2 musicals a year, recently Anything Goes, Damned Yankees, Threepenny Opera. Drama: Drama offered within and outside the curriculum. ESU public-speaking competitions. Many pupils are involved in school productions (eg The Admirable Crichton, Timon of Athens). Boarders stage a termly Shakespeare production. Art and design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 25 A-level. Design and photography also offered. 4-5 per year go on to art school.
Sport: Rugby, hockey, football, cricket, netball compulsory. Optional: badminton, football, squash, water polo, swimming, basketball, tennis, sailing, athletics, judo, golf, fencing, cross-country, table-tennis, shooting, dance. Regular county representation (hockey, cricket, rugby, athletics, swimming). National representation at rugby, cricket, fencing, table tennis, hockey, squash. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF strongly encouraged for 2 years at age 14. Community service optional. 140 clubs and societies, including aerobics, bridge, choral, computing, cookery, drama, electronics, public speaking, satellite.
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 by the Headmaster and housemaster/mistress. Religion: Church of England school. Religious worship compulsory, in College Chapel or own place of worship for those of non-C of E persuasion. Social: Public-speaking competitions, concerts, participation in Brighton Festival, Challenge of Industry Conference, Model United Nations. Many organised trips abroad, including all lower sixth to Europe, visit to Auschwitz (in association with Holocaust Memorial Trust), reading trips, cultural excursions and exchanges with schools in USA, Europe, China, Australia. Day pupils allowed to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school (with permission). Meals self-service. School shop and on-site coffee shop.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a Yellow Paper' signed by the housemaster; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises would expect expulsion.
40% have own study bedroom, 40% share. Houses of about 65. Resident matron, doctor visits regularly. Central dining room. Pupils can provide and cook own snacks. Weekend exeats, by arrangement. Visits to the local town allowed.
c/o the Old Brightonians' Association c/o the school.
Sir Michael Hordern (actor); Sir Vivien Fuchs (explorer); Sir Humphrey Edwardes-Jones (Air Commodore); Lord Alexander QC (Chairman of NatWest); Jonathan Palmer (doctor and Formula 1 racing driver); Professor Lord Skidelsky (economist); Peter Mayle (writer); George Sanders (actor); Prof Noel Odell (mountaineer and Cambridge Professor); John Worsley (artist); Rt Rev T J Bavin (former Bishop of Portsmouth); Rear Admiral P G V Dingemans (Falklands); Matt Prior (England cricketer); Clare Connor and 3 current members of England women's cricket team; Johnny Gold (founder, Tramp nightclub).
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