Seaford College

Since 2013, John Green. Background in professional rugby – he teaches the first team, donning wellies with suit. Taught previously at Barry Boys’ School, Ardingly College and Hurstpierpoint, before becoming deputy at Seaford. Married to Sîan with

Fifty per cent of year 9 from Seaford Prep, the rest from a range of preps and local primaries. ISEB pre-test in year 6. Non-selective until GCSE; thereafter need 45 points to enter sixth form. Screening for SEN on entry.

A third left after GCSEs in 2023, for local sixth form colleges and for financial reasons. Around 20 per cent to Russell Group. Oxford Brookes most popular destination by far. Kingston, Exeter, Bath Spa and Gloucestershire also feature. One to

In 2023, 33 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 35 per cent A*/A at A level (56 per cent A*-B). 2024 results not provided.

Good solid results. Judged on its place in a league table, unremarkable. But the remarkable exists within these figures at this non-selective school. The most able are achieving the high grades you would expect; but so are a good number of those of

Learning support here is done extremely well by a staff of nine specialist teachers, five full-time, four part-time. Nearly half the pupils at the school use the unit at some point, by teacher or self-referral. Seaford proudly locates learning

Music at Seaford is glorious. Singing is outstanding here – the head of voice is also head of voice at junior Royal Academy in London. The head soloist describes ‘music coming up through my toes’ – it’s no surprise that she and the choir were

A new focus on games with the rugby-playing head: hockey’s always been strong here (county winners); now rugby’s just as good. Girls were languishing behind the boys a year or so ago, but head has given girls’ sport a new emphasis: hockey and netball

It’s particularly nice here, and one of the nicest things is its lack of uniformity. The four boarding houses are all different, each with a strong sense of home. Most are weekly, full-timers largely being international (10 per cent of boarders are

A long driveway, past golf flags waving in the breeze and ancient trees up to the mansion house: stately home turned school. Seaford College sits at the foot of the downs, wooded hills rising immediately behind it, mists caught in the trees on the

Pastoral care at Seaford is ‘unbelievable’, said a parent, as she described the extraordinary level of kindness and understanding from the school when facing family tragedy. And they’re very aware of the pressures of growing up. Staff in the Pink

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

Posh, and not – ‘I know someone with a jet, and others working three jobs to get their kids through.’ Lots of weekly boarders from London, and school buses serve the surrounding area.

Fewer girls than boys (around a third), but the head is keen

Fees good value for money, said a parent, but she wouldn’t want them to be any more. Means-tested bursaries; range of scholarships available at 13+ and 16+.

A happy, exceptionally caring school, which strives to do well by all who cross the threshold, whatever their ability.