Brighton College Prep School

Our View

This school seems such a fun place to be – the corridors are bright and buzzing, the children are engaged and talk nineteen to the dozen. Just one block to the east of the senior school; the two are very closely linked – the little ones troop across to eat there, go to the dyslexia centre, play tennis, netball, rugby, swim and do performing arts; both schools have the same shape of the day.

The pupils come in on the same buses that serve the senior school – a third of the prep school children live in town, a third from Hove and the rest come from Lewes, Worthing, Shoreham, Hassocks etc. Pupils come from the maintained sector and from private schools (lots of the girls from single sex schools) and the staff also have experience of both. This means that no one is complacent, everyone knows how lucky they are and fresh ideas are always bubbling up. Many enter at 8+ and over 90 per cent go on to the senior school. Increasingly the parents are couples that have moved south from London.

The children are taught by classteachers initially, working up to being setted in year 6. The bright and well-used library (author visits documented by handprints on the wall) is housed in the converted chapel. Music is impressive and well enjoyed with bands, orchestras, percussion ensembles and musical theatre performances. Examples of cross-curricular learning abound, art being particularly integrated and exciting. Mandarin was made compulsory for 3 and 4 year olds in 2007. Sport is high profile, the school regularly winning county titles and fixtures available for all levels of ability. Activity holidays and field trips are very popular; a huge number of clubs.

Four houses compete against each other in drama, sport, debating etc. House captains of both genders are appointed and the school council is also influential – the water dispensers in the corridor were their idea. Awards given each year for effort, achievement and consideration – the latter is particularly important since, as the head says, 'There are a lot of successful people in the world but some are very unpleasant!'

Head

Since 1999, Mr Brian Melia MA (Cantab), (early 50s), a slim and energetic Yorkshireman who believes humour is vital in his job. Married with two sons, who both moved to Brighton College with him. Previously head of prep at Broadwater Manor in Worthing and before that spent nine years at a comprehensive in Angmering. He still teaches geography or history or RS to one exam class and greets each child by name, with a smile that often quickens to a shared laugh. The head of the pre-prep school is Sue Wicks.

Entrance

By assessment in maths, English and verbal reasoning plus observation. Special arrangements for dyslexic pupils.

Exit

Most to the senior school – but they have to take CE on a par with outsiders.