Eastbourne College A GSG School
- Eastbourne College
Old Wish Road
Eastbourne
East Sussex
BN21 4JX - Head: Mr Tom Lawson MA (Oxon)
- T 01323 452323
- F 01323 452307
- E admissions@eastbourne-college.co.uk
- W www.eastbourne-college.co.uk
- An independent school for boys and girls aged from 13 to 18.
- Boarding: Yes
- Local authority: East Sussex
- Pupils: 650; sixth formers: 300
- Religion: Christian
- Fees: Day £28,710 - £29,265; Boarding £43,740 - £44,415 pa
- Open days: 24 February 2024 and 11 May 2024 - please check the website
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
- Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report
- ISI report: View the ISI report
What The Good Schools Guide says..
‘Brilliant pastoral care’, said one parent: ‘Tutors will call just to say how things are going’. Another parent told us the school identified and told her about a problem with her daughter before she knew anything was wrong. The aquathalon (swimming in the sea, then running along the prom) was only cancelled because of stormy seas…but the whole school was steeplechasing across the downs. A head of futures has just started, and sixth formers are delighted: one told us careers advice used to be...
What the school says...
There are not many top independent schools in Britain where you can take a six-minute stroll and find yourself on the doorstep of a national park, an international tennis venue, a county cricket ground, two challenging golf courses, award-winning beaches, theatres, a modern art gallery, a brand new shopping centre (with cinema) and a mainline station to London (85 minutes), London Gatwick Airport (55 minutes) and Ashford International (direct trains to Paris).
Founded over 150 years ago, today Eastbourne College reaches out like never before, connecting its boarding and day pupils with the raft of opportunities that abound within a few hundred metres of the school; and beyond. The College's learning environment is second to none thanks to its £33 million Project 150 redevelopment, an outstanding, supportive house system, and a timetable which optimises educational contact time, provides guided optional Saturday morning enrichment sessions, and promotes a busy calendar of competitive sport and inclusive social.
The College has got into a tradition of stimulating academic success while developing people of good character; good people that others want to be with. In 2022, almost 55 per cent of A-level grades were awarded at A* or A. ...Read more
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Curricula
Cambridge Pre-U - an alternative to A levels, with all exams at the end of the two-year course.
Sports
Equestrian centre or equestrian team - school has own equestrian centre or an equestrian team.
Rowing
Fencing
Shooting
Sailing
What The Good Schools Guide says
Headmaster
Since 2016, Tom Lawson (PPE Oxford), previously deputy head at Christ’s Hospital. He spent ten years in the City as an investment banker before he 'followed his heart into teaching', which included spells at Vinehall and Ashfold schools and a 16-year stint at Winchester.
At Eastbourne College (EC), this head has found his fit. He looks back wistfully to a time when public school was about becoming a balanced human being, not hitting the top of the league tables; his primary aim for pupils: to be good people other people want to be with – ‘they come out really nice…’
Loved by pupils, who smile when they think of their head: ‘great guy – decent sense of humour’; ‘modern – bringing EC into the 21st century’; ‘really nice…...
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Overall school performance (for comparison or review only)
Results by exam and subject
Subject results
Entry/Exit
Special Education Needs
The College operates a policy of integration for pupils needing learning support, while providing additional help through extra tuition from specialist teachers, dispensations in examinations and monitoring as necessary. The College aims to recruit pupils who will cope with the academic demands and pass the GCSE hurdle for entry into the sixth form, currently a grade average of six. Children who have experienced some learning difficulties, but achieve an average of 50 per cent at CE, and have interests and talents that can be nurtured and developed here, should thrive. Specialist lessons are generally provided on an individual basis, though, when appropriate, pupils are occasionally taught in small groups. Pupils have one or two 35 minute lessons a week. Lessons usually take place within the academic timetable. Pupils in Years 9-11 can choose Supported Study as an option, providing time for tuition and supervision from specialist staff. Otherwise suitable times for lessons are arranged. Fees for tuition are set by the College, and charged as extra on termly bills. The learning support co-ordinator, house master/mistress and tutor work to provide good communication between all those involved in teaching, monitoring progress and meeting pupils’ needs. Eastbourne College is a family co-educational school, and we are always happy to meet parents, show them round and discuss their children’s needs. If there are any doubts about the college being the right school for a particular child, then there will be careful consultation with parents and the feeder school.
Who came from where
| School | Year | Places | Scholarships | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aldro | 2023 | 1 | ||
| Brambletye School | 2023 | 1 | 1 | 1 Art scholarship |
| Cumnor House Sussex | 2023 | 4 | 1 | Scholarship: Art |
| Eaton House the Manor Boys’ School | 2023 | 1 | ||
| Highfield and Brookham School | 2023 | 1 | ||
| Hill House | 2023 | 1 | ||
| Saint Ronan's School | 2023 | 2 | 1 | Sports Scholarship |
| Shrewsbury House School | 2023 | 1 | ||
| St Michael's Preparatory School | 2023 | 1 | 1 | Sports Scholarship |
| Thomas's Battersea | 2023 | 1 |
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