Ages 
A great all-round school with high academic standards, extensive extracurricular and the outward-looking expectation that its pupils will enrich the lives of others, both at school and beyond. A parent said, ‘They get so much right. Would recommend to anyone. Sheer awe…’
Why read our school review?
Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.
Unlock to accessSpark your child’s love of reading with FREE gifts
Get three months of First News digital for free and £5 off Scholastic books when you read our school reviews.
Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 400 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 125 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- RC
- Fees
- Day: £31,086 - £35,100 pa; Boarding: £53,910 pa
- Local authority
- East Sussex County Council
- Area guides
Headteacher
Headmistress
Deborah Bligh
Since April 2024, Deborah Bligh, who joined the school in September 2023 as senior deputy head. Previously part of the SLT at St Richard’s Catholic College for 18 years. Studied theology at Durham and did her postgraduate in education at Hughes Hall,
Entrance
At 11+, 13+ and 16+. Gently selective, but largely on the basis of fit: pupils sit school’s own assessment, which includes papers in English, maths and reasoning (no longer ISEB). Less good performance in one area can be compensated for by excelling
- Open days
- September, December, February, March, April and June
Exit
About a quarter leave after GCSEs. Most popular university destinations include Bristol, Cardiff, Durham, Exeter, Imperial, Warwick, York and UCL. In 2025, two to Oxbridge, and three medics. Increasingly a few overseas – most recently to Hungary and
Latest results
In 2025, 50 per cent 9-8 at GCSE; 51 per cent A*/A at A level (80 per cent A*-B).
A level - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
‘Some absolutely amazing teachers,’ said a parent, who told us about staff who have ‘engaged and enthused’ her daughter in subjects she didn’t like. ‘I feel that teachers really know my children,’ added another. A good number of top end results at
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- BTEC
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Around 40 pupils receive SEN help, which in this school can be anything from assistance with a particular problem, to help for dyslexic pupils or extra work for gifted and talented. ‘No extra time in the real world,’ said the former head, and the
Arts & extracurricular
Plenty of trips, including one to Cambodia to teach children English – ‘an extraordinary initiative,’ said a parent, with teachers managing to fit teaching TEFL to pupils into the school day. ‘I was gobsmacked,’ said a parent, who said the trip has
Sport
Sports are extremely popular, and there’s everything imaginable here, though some, such as football, are extracurricular options. The usual compulsory sports in years 7- 9, with free choice after that (Pilates, fitness room and Zumba become options
Boarders
Around 50 per cent of pupils are boarders, divided into four houses by age. ‘The school is ultra flexible about adding extra nights,’ said an appreciative parent. Junior houses have comfortably sized rooms for two, three and four, with beds for
Ethos & heritage
One parent said that the moment her girls walked into the site they loved it: ‘They saw the school in action and were enchanted by it.’ It offered something to both her girls, the more academic and the less so. Another said that the surroundings and
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Pastoral care is the particular responsibility of the deputy head, who is quick to point out that actually it is a responsibility of each teacher here. This works: emails shooting around between teachers, boarding mistresses and parents so that any
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Our policy is that all phones belonging to girls in years 7 - 10 are handed in to their form tutor at the beginning of the day (or housemistress if boarders) and collected again at 6pm on their way home. Years 11 - 13 are allowed to keep their phones in their bag, but if seen using them anywhere other than their common room, these are confiscated.
Pupils & parents
The large variety of families at this school is reflected in the mixed entry, with 50 per cent from state primaries and the rest from local preps, with a small number from overseas.
Money matters
Seven full bursaries, one in each year group, and scholarships worth 10-20 per cent of fees.
- Fee information
- Day: £31,086 - £35,100 pa; Boarding: £53,910 pa
The last word
A great all-round school with high academic standards, extensive extracurricular and the outward-looking expectation that its pupils will enrich the lives of others, both at school and beyond. A parent said, ‘They get so much right. Would recommend
