Ardingly College A GSG School Review
What is included in the Ardingly College review?
Academic results & facilities
Up to date results for GCSEs, A levels, BTECs and IB; we go to places league tables can’t reach.
Pastoral care and inclusivity
From how the school reacts when something goes wrong to how they tackle thorny issues like substance abuse, consent and mental health. We check they’ve got it all covered.
Fees, scholarships & bursary information
An independent education is a major commitment; our review enables you to compare everything from fees to hidden costs, as well as giving detailed information on scholarships and bursaries.
Information about the head
Our unparalleled access to the head teacher means we can tell you exactly what to expect when you meet them – from leadership style right down to the décor of their study and what they’re currently reading.
Teaching and learning approaches
Entrance & admissions information
Exit information - where do the children go next?
Learning support & SEN information
Arts, sports and extracurricular
What The Good Schools Guide says..
Pupils (of all ages) were huddled up watching a Christmas film, with hot chocolates and popcorn in hand, when we popped into Neal, a centrally located girls’ day house. A homely scene. Many pupils we chatted to chose Ardingly over some of its nearby rivals because of its ’friendly feel’ and ‘good sense of community’, something we noticed on the day of our visit. Sports day is for pupils only, which parents said is 'a real shame’ and...
Read more- Ardingly College
College Road
Ardingly
Haywards Heath
West Sussex
RH17 6SQ - Head: Ben Figgis
- T 01444 893000
- F 01444 893001
- E registrar@ardingly.com
- W www.ardingly.com
- Ardingly College is an English independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 2 to 18, located near Ardingly, West Sussex. Day fees for Ardingly College range from £12,138 - £31,833 and full boarding fees from £27,618 - £48,741 pa. Want to know more? Access the Ardingly College review.
- Read about the best schools in West Sussex
- Boarding: Yes
- Local authority: West Sussex
- Pupils: 1,050; sixth formers: 277
- Religion: Church of England
- Fees: Day £12,138 - £31,833; Full Boarding £27,618 - £48,741 pa
- Open days: Open Days take place every term. Please see website for details.
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
- Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report
- ISI report: View the ISI report
What the school says...
Ardingly College is a top UK, Independent Day and Boarding School with a strong academic core. Providing co-educational education from 2-18 years in the beautiful Sussex countryside. Our aim is to prepare students to become World Ready TM. Ardingly College also benefits from being close to the vibrant university city of Brighton, while London is 45 minutes away by train and Gatwick airport 20 minutes by car.
100% of university applicants gained entry to their first or second choice university, 83% of these being part of the Russell Group.
The most recent ISI report judged the College to be excellent in both pupil achievement and personal development.
College life is based on a strong boarding provision with a progressive ethos around preparing the students to be ready for the world, and all staff are expected to contribute to the pastoral and co-curricular life and duties in this busy and successful school. The school offers an outstanding range of co-curricular activities and has a proud tradition of sporting achievement, particularly in football and hockey. Music and Drama are particularly strong, with a vibrant extra-curricular provision including international music tours, concerts held at a range of venues across the South East including St John’s Smith Square London. The Drama departments productions are exceptional, and consist of a range of musicals, classical and contemporary pieces.
Over the past ten years, the College has built a Sports Hall and fitness suite, three new boarding houses, including a £6 million co-educational Upper Sixth house, and most recent additions include a new £5m STEM building, a new girls’ day house, a dance studio and a cafe providing a popular social hub to the College.
Ardingly College celebrates diversity and approximately 25% of the students are from overseas. Around thirty nationalities are represented at the college, giving the school a genuinely global outlook. The school also offers many opportunities and workshops, giving students a range of life skills to prepare them for successful transition to university and beyond.
We are delighted to attract both top performers and also late bloomers who have a strong work ethic and apply a good attitude to school. We work together to nurture both academic ability and outstanding life skills to build future success beyond school and nearly every student seeking a place at university is successful. ...Read more
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Curricula
International Baccalaureate: diploma - the diploma is the familiar A-level equivalent.
Other features
All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.
Sports
Rowing
Fencing
Shooting
Sailing
Since 2014, Ben Figgis, MA (Cantab). Previously he was deputy head at Oakham and taught history at Abingdon School after an early career in broadcasting. His wife Joanna is a part-time teacher in London and their three (now adult) children all went through the College.
Despite his long tenure, there are few clues to this head’s personality in his beautifully appointed study, besides the history and politics books displayed on the shelf behind his desk. A few MI6-themed novels could be a nod to his upbringing (he’s the son of a diplomat) but he wryly implies that this was never a career option for him.
In his time at Ardingly Mr Figgis’s focus has shifted from ‘upping the academics’ to ‘pupils’ wellbeing.’ The school’s ‘world-ready programme’ which focuses on equipping pupils with...
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Overall school performance (for comparison or review only)
Results by exam and subject
Subject results
Entry/Exit
Special Education Needs
The Learning Support Department offers individual lessons for pupils who have a mild specific learning difficulty. All pupils however must be able to cope in the classroom without individual Learning Assistant support.
| Condition | Provision for in school |
|---|---|
| ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Might cover/be referred to as;
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Aspergers, Autism, High functioning autism, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), PDA , Social skills, Sensory processing disorder |
Y |
| HI - Hearing Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
Hearing Impairment, HI - Hearing Impairment |
|
| MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Learning needs, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty |
|
| MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment, Sensory processing |
|
| OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability
Might cover/be referred to as;
Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, Genetic , OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability, Tics, Tourettes |
|
| PD - Physical Disability
Might cover/be referred to as;
PD - Physical Disability |
|
| PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Complex needs, Global delay, Global developmental delay, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty |
|
| SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Might cover/be referred to as;
Anxiety , Complex needs, Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), Mental Health, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Trauma |
|
| SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication
Might cover/be referred to as;
DLD - Developmental Language Disorder, Selective mutism, SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication |
|
| SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Complex needs, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, Cerebral Palsy (CP) |
|
| SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Auditory Processing, DCD, Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties (DCD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Handwriting, Other specific learning difficulty, SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) |
Y |
| VI - Visual Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
Special facilities for Visually Impaired, VI - Visual Impairment |
Who came from where
| School | Year | Places | Scholarships | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brambletye School | 2024 | 1 | ||
| Holmewood House School | 2024 | 1 | ||
| St Michael's Preparatory School | 2024 | 2 | ||
| Thomas's Battersea | 2024 | 1 |
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