Ages 
Highly regarded for both academic provision and pastoral care, Worth is a school where pupils are allowed to ‘flourish in their own time’. The result? Well-balanced, kind and ambitious young people, the sort who ‘look you in the eye’ and can hold a good conversation. A must-visit for anyone, religious or not, who cherishes strong human values over sparkling facilities. Excellent transport links to London and Gatwick are a bonus.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 620 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 248 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- RC
- Fees
- Day £25,176 - £37,353; Boarding £54,849 pa
- Local authority
- West Sussex County Council
- Area guides
Headteacher
Head
Marisa Bosa
Since January 2026, Marisa Bosa (interim head), previously the school's senior deputy.
From September 2026, the head will be Ben Pennington, currently head of the senior school at St Andrew’s, Turi, in Kenya. He was previously senior deputy head
Entrance
Pupils come from a range of local prep and state schools as well as Catholic prep and state schools in London. Most join in years 7 or 9 or sixth form, with a few places available in years 8 and 10. At 11+, assessment tests at Worth in January of the
- Open days
- Individual family visits and virtual tours
Exit
Popular university destinations include Durham, Exeter, York, Loughborough, UCL and Imperial – to study a wide range of subjects. Two medics in 2025. Sometimes students go on to study at US and European universities (around 10 overseas in 2025) and
Latest results
In 2024, 41 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 29 per cent A*/A at A level (59 per cent A*-B). IB average of 33.
A levels or equivalent - 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
Class sizes average 14 for years 7 and 8, 16 for years 9 to 11, and ten for sixth form. A third of pupils take IB; choices include global politics, philosophy, economics, and psychology. Mainly traditional A level options, plus business, music, and
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- BTEC
- EPQ
- GCSE
- IB
Learning support & SEN
Learning Enhancement (LE) sees around one in four pupils for needs ranging from revision techniques to mild dyslexia and ADHD. Positioned centrally on campus, the department is headed up by the ‘understanding’ SENCo who runs a team of five. Provision
Arts & extracurricular
Drama and music take place in the performing arts centre (PAC). On the day of our visit the stage was being set in the theatre (seats 240) for the opening night of Lord of the Flies: technical head had just received some exciting props, including a
Sport
As one parent put it, sport at Worth is ‘all there for the taking, if the kids are go-getting enough’. It’s compulsory for years 7 to 11 and sixth formers must do four hours of sport per week. Rugby is the main boys’ winter sport, although we
Boarders
Year 7 and 8 boys and girls share Austin, a day-only house, before moving into a senior boarding or day house from year 9. Thereafter, three boys’ boarding houses (60 pupils in each), three day-boy houses, a larger girls’ boarding house (90 pupils)
Ethos & heritage
In 1606 France, a group of English and Welsh Benedictine monks, who had fled the UK when Catholics were being heavily penalised, formed the beginnings of what would become Worth school. The French revolution drove the monks and their charges back
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
‘Community’ is the prominent buzz word among parents and pupils. HMs, matrons, tutors, the chaplain and medical staff are all on hand, but the general community feel across staff and pupils acts as a ‘first line of defence’ pastorally. ‘Everyone rubs
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 Years 7 and 8 mobile phones are handed in to the housemistress during the school day. Years 9, 10 and 11 secure their phones in Yondr pouches. If mobile phones are found to be in use during the school day, the pupil will be sanctioned. Pupils in years 12 and 13 have a responsibility to ensure that phones remain out of sight and not causing any distraction throughout the school day. Years 9 and 10 boarders hand in their phones overnight. During the day, boarders may temporarily unlock their phone in house if there is a need to contact home.
Pupils & parents
A third of pupils are international, mainly from Spain and Germany, a few from further afield (Mexico, Singapore). This gives Worth a ‘wonderful international mix’, say local parents whose children make up a third of the cohort, Londoners accounting
Money matters
Academic, art, drama, music and sports scholarships offered, plus exhibitions. Max award of 40 per cent goes to the top scholar in each category and other scholars may receive 20-30 per cent - additional means-tested bursary which can take this up
- Fee information
- Day £25,176 - £37,353; Boarding £54,849 pa
The last word
Highly regarded for both academic provision and pastoral care, Worth is a school where pupils are allowed to ‘flourish in their own time’. The result? Well-balanced, kind and ambitious young people, the sort who ‘look you in the eye’ and can hold a
