Choosing a Sussex School

also leave at thirteen. Sarah told us how exam preparation skills are embedded in the curriculum from Year 5: “Those lessons support the pupils not just in understanding the verbal and nonverbal elements of the pre-test, but also that preparation for practice interviews, for mock assessment days, so that pupils are really well rounded and prepared for what they are going to experience.” She went on to tell us about the importance of balance in this time: “It also is about their childhood and keeping that innocence of childhood whilst also preparing the children for the future.”

Similarly, at Lancing College, pupils are admitted into the senior school from age thirteen. Dominic described this as: “We believe in the old-fashioned prep school structure, not because it’s old-fashioned, but because it offers a kind of golden time to extend childhood, a golden time to actually be pushed into lead at that point, to feel enriched by that environment, and then make that move just as adolescence is really getting going.” Conversely, Roedean admits girls from age eleven, also due to the traditions of prep schools ending at eleven. Niamh told us: “We still have local girls from primary schools that come at 11 plus and quite a few of the London day girls’ prep schools have finished at that age as well, so that is one of our main entries.” Although, as co-educational prep schools have grown in popularity, many girls also now join Roedean at age thirteen. Niamh emphasises the importance of doing what is best for each individual child: “It has to be right for where she is now. So she can become Head Girl at a prep school, get all those amazing things that happen during those last two years of prep school, and then still come to us in Year 9.”

Niamh also described how Roedean pupils benefit from being in a single-sex environment, whilst still maintaining friendships beyond school. “Being in a single-sex school, they’re able to really find their voice and leave school at the age of eighteen, having found that confidence and having grown.” With 40% of Roedean pupils going on to study a sciencerelated subject at university - well above national average - it seems clear that the environment at Roedean is indeed nurturing confidence in girls’ abilities in all areas. They are also afforded many opportunities to socialise in co-educational settings, coming together with Lancing College for things such as CCF and Oxbridge preparation, as well as having socials with Tonbridge School. Niamh also highlights the power of social media in maintaining a wide range of friendships: “One positive of social media is that they stay connected much better and for much longer with friends they’ve made.” Overall, Niamh is confident in the strength and impact of an all-girls’ education at Roedean: “When they leave Roedean, I don’t think they’re in any doubt of the power of their voice and the power of them to represent females,” she believes.

Across both prep and senior school stages, our guests agree on the benefits and plentiful opportunities of choosing a school in Sussex. The access to open spaces on the South Downs and coastline stand out, as well as the access to cities such as Brighton and London and all the opportunities available within the schools’ rich communities: “It’s sort of paradisiacal,” Dominic told us, “it is incredibly beautiful in this area, it’s hard to beat. You go to other places, you want to come back here.” They urge anyone interested in a Sussex school to visit: “I think experiencing the location, which is outstanding, but actually meeting the students, seeing who they are and what they are and what they do, I think that’s the biggest selling point.” Niamh shared, “I think coming to experience it for yourself is definitely worthwhile.” Tom also echoed the importance of visiting schools and making a connection when selecting a school for your child: “Fundamentally, it’s all about connection, it’s all about fun, it’s all about the warmth.” www.cottesmoreschool.com www.windlesham.com www.lancingcollege.co.uk www.roedean.co.uk

We would like to thank our Sussex schools panel for giving up their time to speak to us.