Vinehall School A GSG School
- Vinehall School
Mountfield
Robertsbridge
East Sussex
TN32 5JL - Head: Joff Powis
- T 01580 880413
- F 01580 882119
- E admissions@vinehallschool.com
- W www.vinehallschool.com
- An independent school for boys and girls aged from 2 to 13.
- Boarding: Yes
- Local authority: East Sussex
- Pupils: 220
- Religion: Christian
- Fees: Day £11,850 - £22,980; Boarding £28,545 - £31,725 pa (last updated on 22/05/2024)
- Open days: Private weekly tours Monday to Friday throughout the academic year
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
What The Good Schools Guide says..
Pupils of all ages enjoy working in the outdoor classroom, a tepee in the woods. Children particularly enjoy the teamwork exercises – ‘making dens and setting up tents in the pouring rain,’ said one enthusiastically. Parents say teachers know their children well; pupils describe them as ‘supportive and friendly'...
What the school says...
Vinehall is an outstanding independent Prep School in East Sussex. In providing a wide range of opportunities, our children strive for academic excellence and success inside and outside of the classroom, instilling in them a strong sense of purpose and self-confidence. We have a warm, caring and thriving community, allowing our children to remain children for as long as possible. By being collaborative, inquisitive and reflective learners our children are resilient, kind, honest and confident. We ensure our diverse and innovative curriculum embeds skills and knowledge that will enable our children to flourish in the real world. The school provides outstanding facilities, including a theatre, gymnasium, a magnificent sports hall, indoor swimming pool, golf course, all-weather pitch, 50 acres of grounds in the beautiful Sussex countryside and an impressive library. Boarding is a popular option especially in the final two years and the door is open to highly sought-after places in major Public Schools when children move on at thirteen. The school's musical and artistic traditions are strong, with plenty of opportunities for performance and display. The sporting record is excellent and all pupils are encouraged to represent the school. Although non-selective, academic standards are high, and Vinehall is proud of its outstanding scholarship record to a range of well-known Public Schools. A beautifully designed, purpose-built nursery and pre-prep are on site close to the main building. ...Read more
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What The Good Schools Guide says
Headmaster
Since 2017, Jonathan (Joff) Powis (BSc geography, Leeds) married to Liz, with four children at Vinehall. Previously deputy head at Papplewick. A family man - we saw assorted wellies lying on their sides in his study. Opens school doors to families too - welcomed everyone to play in the grounds when it snowed.
One of his first priorities was to find more time for pupils to play, which he has done by extending break times and cutting back prep (quality, not quantity). Parents approve: ‘Brilliant… new energy, new ideas ’; ‘Very present… can talk to him. Open door policy… encourages people in’. Pupils say assemblies are fun and describe Mr Powis as ‘kind and supportive’. More importantly still: ‘He brought conkers to the school.’
From September 2025,...
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Special Education Needs
In line with The SEN Code of Practice provision is made on a withdrawal basis for any child who fails to make consistent progress in reading, writing, spelling or maths. This includes assessments for strengths and weaknesses, and on-going monitoring. The overall aim is to enable children with special educational needs to gain access to the curriculum and help them succeed and gain confidence by using appropriate learning strategies. Other Specific Learning Difficulties - Sensory Processing Disorder. 09-09
| 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 |
Leavers' destinations
| School | Year | Places | Scholarships | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battle Abbey School | 2024 | 3 | 4 | |
| Eastbourne College | 2024 | 3 | 1 | |
| The King's School Canterbury | 2024 | 3 | 2 | |
| Bryanston School | 2024 | 1 | 1 | |
| Buckswood School | 2024 | 1 | ||
| Cranbrook School | 2024 | 1 | ||
| Lancing College | 2024 | 1 | ||
| Sevenoaks School | 2024 | 1 | 1 | |
| Sutton Valence School | 2024 | 1 | ||
| Tonbridge School | 2024 | 1 |
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