Brighton College

Since 2024, Mr Steve Marshall-Taylor. Read French and German at Nottingham University before doing his PGCE at Cambridge. Arrived at Brighton College in 2013 as deputy head, then rose to head of senior school in 2019 before seizing the headmasterly

The sort of school parents move house – and even career – to be near, so competition for places can be intense. ‘Some parents are over-zealous and tutor madly,’ said a mum. Others will simply rely on practice websites and Bond workbooks in

Up to 10 per cent leave after GCSEs, usually reluctantly for financial reasons (and the lure of BHASVIC state sixth form). All pupils who make it through GCSEs here can remain for sixth form if they wish. Upper sixth leavers head to a bevy of

In 2025, 98 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 85 per cent A*/A at A level (98 per cent A*-B).

Children in lower school, as years 7-9 are known here, follow the college’s rather splendid ‘Story of Our Land’ curriculum that integrates British history, geography, philosophy and RS into a cohesive narrative of the past. Children are offered a

While not a school one would seek out specifically for SEN provision (there is zero mention of learning support on its website or prospectus), Brighton College does well by the roughly 15 per cent of pupils who are on its learning support register.

Music is in a class of its own, buoyed by an amazing 72 music teachers and around 70 music scholars. There is a cornucopia of orchestras, ensembles and bands, performance opportunities, choirs and a jazz festival. Even the parents have their own

Main sports are rugby, football and cricket for boys; netball, hockey and cricket for girls. Rugby is particularly awesome: when we visited, everyone was abuzz about beating reigning champions Millfield to win the Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens

Boarding kicks off from year 9 (for those younger than that, there’s a warm welcome waiting at Brighton College Prep Handcross, one of the college’s prep schools conveniently tucked near Gatwick). No Saturday school (a rarity among top boarding

Undeniably, a cool school. ’Brighton College wants to be the cool kid among public schools, but it hangs on to its traditional values,’ a mum explained. Something of a pioneer on the LGB front: since 2017, the school has entered a float every year in

A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.

A monied school community, yes, though more varied than you might expect: ‘It’s way more diverse than the local state schools,’ a parent pointed out. Local parents a hard-working blend of professionals and creative types. Many local children join

The school has been conscientious in not passing on the full VAT hit, but there’s no getting around the price tag. ‘Fees have escalated massively over our four years here,’ said a dad. Sixth form fees, in particular, were flagged up as ‘blisteringly

A breathtaking school, brimming with intellect, ambition, success and good taste. Has to be seen to be believed. If it dialled down the self promotion, it might be perfect.