Ages 
‘Believe the advertising,’ said one parent earnestly. ‘Its very welcoming, very kind.’ ‘Scatter kindness’ is a sign which appears all over the place at Handcross, and it seems that everyone here has taken this to heart. No average family, say parents, but it wouldn’t suit ‘someone overly aggressive or full of their own importance and abilities,’ said a parent crisply.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 438 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- None
- Fees
- Day £14,862 - £29,649; Boarding £28,626 - £38,709 pa
- Local authority
- West Sussex County Council
- Area guides
- Linked schools
Headteacher
Headmaster
Mr Jonnie Besley
Since September 2023, Jonnie Besley, previously head of Abberley Hall (now closed) and before that, deputy head at Orwell Park in Suffolk. He has also been head of boarding and history at Westbourne House in Sussex and has taught history and coached
Entrance
By one or two-day taster experience including English, maths and reasoning assessments and interview, plus reports and references from previous school. Remote assessments and Skype interviews possible for overseas applicants. Pupils come from local
- Open days
- September, February and May
Exit
In 2025, most went to Brighton College. Others to Ardingly College, Worth, Charterhouse, Eastbourne College, Lancing College, Wellington, Epsom, The Perse, Harrow, Westminster. Twenty-one scholarships in 2025.
Latest results
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Learning support & SEN
Boarders
Around a quarter of years 5-8 do some sort of boarding, with full, weekly and flexi available. An international presence, with boarders from Spain, China, Thailand, India and more. The varied activity schedule at the weekend always includes a trip;
Pupils
Money matters
No scholarships but about one fifth receive some kind of bursary. One means-tested bursary, virtually 100 per cent, and one free place in nursery. Offers sibling discount - five per cent off first, 10 per cent off second. Over and above that you test
- Fee information
- Day £14,862 - £29,649; Boarding £28,626 - £38,709 pa
Our view
A parent told us the school's ‘culture is to do with the magic of childhood’; or perhaps the magic of how we think childhood should be, with acres of green on which to run around, ancient trees to climb (plus new wellbeing garden), and teachers who
The last word
‘Believe the advertising,’ said one parent earnestly. ‘Its very welcoming, very kind.’ ‘Scatter kindness’ is a sign which appears all over the place at Handcross, and it seems that everyone here has taken this to heart. No average family, say
