Founded as a Woodard school in 1858, it lies on a large estate in one of the most beautiful parts of Sussex. At the heart of its handsome buildings is the chapel. It has been fully co-educational since 1982. With its own pre-prep and junior school and a mix of boarding and day, the aim is very much to be a friendly family school. It has a fine pastoral system based on individual tutors for each pupil. It provides a good all-round education and offers the IB alongside A-levels, so that students have a choice of courses. Examination results are good. The staff:pupil ratio is very favourable, about 1:9. There is music, art and drama, the CCF, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and a very well-organised house system; plus an extensive sporting programme.

Pupils: Total age range 2ý-18; 755 pupils, 527 day (315 boys, 212 girls), 228 boarding (150 boys, 78 girls). Senior department 13-18, 439 pupils (268 boys, 171 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 7, 11, 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own entrance exam used. For sixth-form entry, essay, verbal reasoning test, interview, and 5 GCSEs at least grade B. No special skills except for scholarship candidates. 25% of intakes at 11 and 16 from state schools (few at 13); 50% senior intake from own junior school.

40+ pa scholarships, value from honorary to 50% of fees: majority academic, others all-rounder, sport, art, drama, DT, music. Majority at 13, others at 11 and 16. Bursaries to supplement scholarships and 2 pa for children of clergy.

50+% live within 30 miles; 20+% live overseas.

Headmaster: Peter Green, in post from 2007. Previously Second Master at Ampleforth. Teaching staff: 85 full time, 11 part time. Annual turnover 10%. Average age 38.

GCSE: On average, 83 pupils in fifth year. 96% gain at least grade C in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 59 (55 over 5 years). A-level\IB: 87 in upper sixth. 89% pass in 4+ subjects; 32% in 3; 7% in 2 subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 361; average IB score 34.

90% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (20% after a gap year), 6% to Oxbridge. 30% take courses in science and engineering, 30% in humanities and social sciences, 5% in art, design and music, 25% in business and management, and 10% in other vocational subjects. Others typically go on to employment, vocational or other courses (eg secretarial) or to the military.

GCSE, AS, A-levels and IB Diploma. 20+ sixth-form subjects (including economics, philosophy, theatre studies, PE and psychology). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level (excluding general studies). 20% take science AS and A-levels; 40% arts/humanities; 40% both. Key skills are integrated into sixth-form courses. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Specialist remedial teaching available; some EFL from qualified staff. Languages: French, German, Spanish and Latin offered to GCSE and A-level. Regular visits to France, Germany and Spain. Increasing number of British bi- or tri-lingual pupils. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 100 computers for pupil use (12 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access. Most pupils take ECDL in Year 12.

Music: Up to 75% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 5 musical groups including Ardingly Singers, choir, jazz band. Drama and dance: Drama offered. All pupils are involved in school productions and majority in house/other productions. Art and design: Design, pottery, textiles, photography, fine art also offered.

Sport: Hockey, football, cricket, tennis, volleyball, netball, swimming, basketball, sailing, riding, fencing, yoga, karate, squash, table tennis etc. A-level sports studies may be taken. Area team representatives. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF and community service optional. Up to 30 clubs, eg computer, debating, public speaking, various sporting and music, literature and poetry groups etc.

Uniform: School uniform worn; dress code in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects appointed after consultation. Religion: Anglican. Social: Continuous contact with local schools. Academic trips abroad include to Iceland (every 4/5 years to carry out research recognised by the National Geographical Society); art trips to Paris and Florence; language visits to Spain, Germany and France; many other organised trips abroad. Day pupils allowed to bring own car or bike to school. Meals self-service. School shop. No tobacco allowed; alcohol in supervised bar for upper sixth only.

Pupils failing to produce homework once could expect a warning and detention for a second offence. Those smoking cannabis could expect suspension for 2-3 weeks, counselling and put on drug testing programme. A second offence would result in expulsion.

Mrs Gesa Paulfeierborn, c/o the school.

Terry Thomas; Dr Hayes (Director of National Portrait Gallery); Cdr Longhurst (potential astronaut); Ian Hislop (Private Eye); Stephen Oliver (composer); Andrew Bowden and T Gorst (MPs).