Brighton College A GSG School Review
What is included in the Brighton College review?
Academic results & facilities
Pastoral care and inclusivity
Fees, scholarships & bursary information
Information about the head
Teaching and learning approaches
Entrance & admissions information
Exit information - where do the children go next?
Learning support & SEN information
Arts, sports and extracurricular
Pupils & parents (what are they really like?)
What The Good Schools Guide says..
You don’t have to arrive here as a fully formed boffin. ‘We’re definitely not as selective as top London schools,’ says Mr Cairns. Desire to do well, having a spark, being funny, quick and kind (mentioned repeatedly, something of a school mantra) can certainly help during the admissions process. That said, this is a fast-paced environment. ‘My mum says school is on speed, there’s so much going on,’ says a pupil. Laurels are added to, not rested on, a strong work ethic is a given and...
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- Brighton College
Eastern Rd
Brighton
East Sussex
BN2 0AL - Head: Mr Richard Cairns
- T 01273 704200
- F 01273 704204
- E [email protected]
- W www.brightoncollege.org.uk
- Brighton College is an independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 11 to 18. Day fees for Brighton College are £21,930 - £30,240 pa and boarding fees are £42,000 - £64,920 pa. Interested in reading more? Access our unbiased St Brighton College review.
- Boarding: Yes
- Local authority: Brighton and Hove
- Pupils: 1,225; sixth formers: 430
- Religion: Church of England
- Fees: Day: £21,930 - £30,240; Boarding: £42,000 - £64,920 pa
- Open days: Check school website
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
- Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report
- ISI report: View the ISI report
- Linked schools: Brighton College Prep School, Handcross Park School
What the school says...
Brighton College is one of the country’s leading independent schools for girls and boys aged 3-18. The College regularly achieves the best A-level and GCSE results of any co-educational school in the UK, whilst ensuring children enjoy a wealth of extracurricular opportunities. Renowned for its focus on kindness, the College also excels in art, music, dance, drama and sporting achievements.
Recently named 'England's Independent School of the Year 2019' by The Sunday Times, the second time in a decade it has won this prestigious award, Brighton College has also been called ‘Britain's most forward-thinking school' and ‘Top in Britain for STEM’ by The Week. ...Read more
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Sports
Unusual sports
Equestrian centre or equestrian team - school has own equestrian centre or an equestrian team.
Fencing
Shooting
Since 2006, Richard Cairns MA (first-class history degree from Oxford). Previously Usher of Magdalen College School Oxford (1999-2005). Before that, head of history at Stewart’s Melville College Edinburgh, which he joined from the Oratory School.
A quiet, authoritative leader who’s very much in charge, masterminding operations from a gorgeous office in the main building. He’s also a first-class publicist for the school. ‘The Cairns touch’, as it’s described in school literature (and elsewhere), has ensured the college’s reputation has rolled inland to reach those affluent London families who now make up a growing proportion of the pupils here and (increasingly) are in the majority at open days.
Headline hitters include introduction of gender-neutral uniform policy and compulsory Mandarin (school was a trailblazer for both). ‘Like John Lewis, we never knowingly undersell ourselves,’...
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Overall school performance (for comparison or review only)
Results by exam and subject
Subject results
Entry/Exit
Special Education Needs
Brighton College specialises in helping bright dyslexic children to achieve their academic potential whilst, at the same time, providing them with a stimulating environment in which to develop their strengths and talents. The school has its own Dyslexia Centre which supports children from each of the three schools of Brighton College: the Pre-Prep School, the Prep School and the Senior School. Up to the end of Year 6, pupils receive a combination of in-class support in English and small group withdrawal for specialist teaching. From Year 7 onwards, full members of the Dyslexia Centre receive all their English lessons in the Centre in groups no larger than 9. In addition, most (but not all) dyslexic pupils substitute their modern languages time for additional support. For those pupils whose needs require less support, ad hoc provision is available. In the sixth form, an AS/A Level study skills course is available, together with individual support lessons. Pupils with other Special Educational Needs are the responsibility of the three Special Needs Co-ordinators (SENCOs). The school is always happy to discuss individual needs with parents, although it recognises that the level of provision it can currently offer may not be sufficient to support all Special Educational Needs. The school has a separate department for the support of those pupils whose first language is not English.
| Condition | Provision for in school |
|---|---|
| ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder | Y |
| Aspergers | Y |
| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders | Y |
| CReSTeD registered for Dyslexia | |
| Dyscalculia | |
| Dysgraphia | |
| Dyslexia | |
| Dyspraxia | |
| English as an additional language (EAL) | |
| Genetic | |
| Has an entry in the Autism Services Directory | |
| Has SEN unit or class | Y |
| HI - Hearing Impairment | |
| Hospital School | |
| Mental health | |
| MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty | |
| MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment | |
| Natspec Specialist Colleges | |
| OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability | |
| Other SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | |
| PD - Physical Disability | |
| PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty | |
| SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health | |
| SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication | |
| SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty | |
| Special facilities for Visually Impaired | |
| SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | |
| VI - Visual Impairment |
Who came from where
| School | Year | Places | Scholarships | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brambletye School | 2023 | 1 | ||
| Brighton College Prep School | 2023 | 90% go to Brighton College | ||
| Cumnor House Sussex | 2023 | 3 | 3 | 3 scholarships: 2 Academic, 1 Drama) |
| Danes Hill School | 2023 | 3 | ||
| Eaton House the Manor Girls' School | 2023 | 1 | 1 | Art Scholarship |
| King's House School | 2023 | 2 | ||
| Lambrook School | 2023 | 1 | 1 | 1 Millennium Scholarship |
| Newton Prep | 2023 | 4 | 2 | 1 Choral Scholarship; 1 Music Scholarship |
| Saint Ronan's School | 2023 | 2 | 3 | Academic Scholarship; All Rounder Scholarship; Sports Scholarship |
| St Hugh's School, Oxfordshire | 2023 | 1 | ||
| Sussex House School | 2023 | 1 | 2 | Academic Exhibition; Design and Technology Scholarship |
| The Hall School | 2023 | 1 | ||
| The Study Preparatory School | 2023 | 1 | ||
| Thomas's Battersea | 2023 | 8 | ||
| Thomas's Clapham | 2023 | 10 | ||
| Thomas's Fulham | 2023 | 1 | ||
| Tower House Preparatory School | 2023 | 1 | ||
| Walhampton School | 2023 | 1 | ||
| Westbourne House School | 2023 | 7 | 5 | Academic Scholarship; All Rounder Scholarship; Sports Scholarships (3) |
| Wetherby Preparatory School | 2023 | 1 | ||
| Windlesham House School | 2023 | 3 | 3 | Academic Scholarships (2); Chess Scholarship |
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