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What it's like

Founded in 1875, it is situated near Beachy Head with grounds and gardens opening on to the Downs. The buildings are well designed and comfortable and provide good accommodation and facilities. Academic standards are high and examination results are very good. It enjoys a high staff:pupil ratio of about 1:7. The music and drama departments have excellent reputations. The school prides itself on strong careers counselling and excellent pastoral care. Very good sports and games, plus a very wide range of activities, including local community schemes. Many overseas links eg sport, drama and exchange visits.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 360 girls (270 day, 90 boarding). Senior department 11-18, 220 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 2, 13, 14 and 16. No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry, 10% senior intake plus small number to sixth form. Many senior pupils from its own junior department and from local prep schools in Sussex.

Scholarships & bursaries

15 pa scholarships and exhibitions, value 15%-50% fees: academic, drama, art, music, sport and a number of bursaries. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; maximum extras approx 150.

Parents

70+% live within 30 miles; 30+% live overseas.

Head & staff

Principal: Mrs Lesley Watson, appointed in 2006. Education included MA in management and education. Previously Headmistress of St Mary's Westbrook (Kent) and Rookesbury Park School, and Deputy Head at Benenden. Also ISI inspector; former governor of Moira House. Teaching staff: 40 full time, 30 part time. Annual turnover 7%. Average age 35.

Exam results

GCSE: 36 pupils in Year 11: 100% gained at least grade C in 6+ subjects. A-levels: 32 in upper sixth. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 348.

University & college entrance

100% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (10% after a gap year). 27% take courses in science, engineering and medicine, 54% in humanities and social sciences, 3% in art and design, 16% in eg business, acting, dance.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 20 GCSE subjects, 18 AS/A-level, 4 Vocational A-levels. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. 50% take science A-levels; 40% arts/humanities; 10% both. Key skills optional and integrated into sixth-form courses and activities. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Special tutoring for special needs pupils and EFL. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered at GCSE, AS and A-level; also Latin to GCSE. Regular exchanges (France, Germany and Spain). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum eg data-logging in science, composition in music. 130+ computers for pupil use, all networked and with email and internet access.

The arts

Music: Over 70% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. 6 musical groups: orchestra, chamber groups, woodwind, string quartet, swing band. Many successes in Eastbourne Festival. Drama and dance: Both offered. GCSE, AS and A-level drama and LAMDA exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school and house/other productions. Bi-annual performing arts tour to eg Australia, America. Art and design: On average, 15 take GCSE, 3 A-level. Design, photography and textiles also offered.

Sports & activities

Sport: Hockey, netball, swimming, athletics, gymnastics, tennis compulsory. Optional: cricket, squash, badminton, golf, sailing, basketball, football, volleyball, trampolining, windsurfing, orienteering, riding. BAGA, RLSS, RYA exams may be taken. Biennial hockey and netball tour to eg West Indies, Europe, Australia. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Community service optional. Over 30 clubs, eg sports clubs, drama, dancing, computing, debating, public speaking, horse-riding.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn; suites (trouser or skirt) in the sixth form. Houses and prefects: Prefects, 2 head girls, house councils, elected by girls and staff. Religion: Christian. Morning prayers and Sunday church compulsory for Christians until fifth form; confirmation, Christian Unions. Social: Public-speaking, Youth Radio, Eastbourne Festival with other local schools. Organised trips abroad (Year 9 upwards) for music, drama and sport, annual ski trips to Europe and USA and cultural exchange to Thailand. Day pupils allowed to bring own car/bike to school. Most meals formal, some self-service. School shop. No alcohol allowed.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework once will repeat their work in detention; those caught with cannabis on the premises will be expelled. Sanctions for anti-social behaviour.

Boarding

50% have own study bedroom, 50% share with others. Houses of approximately 60, divided by age. RGNs on duty or on call. Central dining room. Sixth-form pupils can provide and cook their own food at weekends. Half term, and exeat weekends by arrangement. Visits to local town allowed at weekends.

Former pupils

Rumer Godden (novelist); Prunella Scales (actress); Joy Finzi (artist); Virginia Fiennes (explorer); Selaine Saxby (business).