Founded in 1925, this is the oldest and most established of the Steiner Waldorf schools in the UK. It has a fine rural site in its own parkland on the edge of Ashdown Forest and a mile from the village centre of Forest Row. Almost entirely a day school, boarding is arranged in the homes of families with children at the school. It offers a very broad education to boys and girls from pre-school to university entrance, which is based on the educational philosophy of Rudolf Steiner. The curriculum embodies cultural studies, sciences, general arts and humanities, crafts, music and movement and foreign languages. Art, music and drama are very important elements in the school life. EFL is available in term time. The school explains its educational ethos, curriculum and approach to prospective parents at open mornings. A fair range of sports, games and extra-curricular activities is offered.

Pupils: Total age range 2.5 -19; 604 pupils, 586 day (261 boys, 325 girls), 18 boarding (9 boys, 9 girls). Senior department 14-19, 95 pupils (38 boys, 57 girls). Entrance: Open entry; for sixth-form entry, interview and GCSE grade C (preferably higher) in sixth-form subjects. Knowledge of French and/or German an advantage; no particular religious requirements. Very small state school entry.

No scholarships. Means-tested bursaries available for existing pupils. Parents expected to pay for textbooks, outings, meals, laboratory materials etc; maximum extras 350.

Head: Chairman of the College of Teachers, elected annually. Teaching staff: 46 full time, 24 part time. Annual turnover 10%. Average age 49.

GCSE: On average, 30 pupils in upper fifth: 75% gain at least grade C in 5 subjects. A-levels: 7 in upper sixth. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 200.

40% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course. Others typically go on to art, drama courses, non-degree courses or straight into careers.

GCSE, AS and A-levels. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: EFL programme. Languages: French and German (from age 6) offered at GCSE and A-level.

Music: All pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 6+ musical groups including orchestras, choirs, several chamber ensembles. Drama and movement: Both offered. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions and all in house/other productions. Art and design: Design, pottery, stage design, costume design, practical landscaping and individual arts projects.

Sport: Basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, orienteering, cross-country, athletics, softball, tennis, cricket, climbing, canoeing, sailing. County basketball league. Up to 10 clubs, eg sports, drama, music.

Uniform: No school uniform. Houses and prefects: No competitive houses, prefects or head boy/girl. Religion: Christian, non-denominational. Social: Some musical productions with other local schools. Art history trip to Italy, and opportunities for exchanges with sister schools (over 890 worldwide). Lunch self-service. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

c/o the school.

Martyn Boysens (mountaineer); Oliver Tobias (actor); Sean Yates (international cyclist); Bella Freud (Young Designer of the Year); Estella Freud (actress, writer); Prof John Pearce (author and professor in child/adolescent psychiatry, Nottingham University).