Independent Boarding Schools in West Sussex

Burgess Hill Girls is an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 2 to 18, situated on a 14-acre campus in a conservation area of Burgess Hill, West Sussex. Founded in 1906, the school provides an all-through education including a co-educational nursery. On-site facilities include a Creative Arts Centre, a Science and Technology Hub, and an athletics track. The school’s ethos is summarised by its motto, 'I am, I can, I should, I will', which focuses on the development of individual potential. Boarding is available for students from age 11.

Seaford College is an independent co-educational boarding and day school situated at Lavington Park, south of Petworth, West Sussex, England. The campus is set within over 450 acres of parkland in the South Downs, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Founded in 1884, the school caters for students aged 4 to 18 across its Prep, Senior, and Sixth Form. Seaford College, affiliated with the Church of England, claims to focus on fostering individual potential, encouraging academic achievement, and promoting participation in cultural, social, and sporting activities.

Situated near Pulborough in West Sussex, Dorset House School is a co-educational preparatory school. Located in the village of Bury, the school offers day, flexi, and weekly boarding options. The school claims to provide a “high challenge, low threat” environment, often describing its ethos as a “greenhouse” rather than a “hot house” to foster pupil confidence. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on art, drama, and music, while the rural setting supports a range of outdoor learning and sporting activities.

Westbourne House School is a co-educational day and boarding preparatory school for pupils aged 2 to 13, situated within 100 acres of parkland near Chichester. Established in 1907 and relocated to its current Shopwyke site in 1946, the school is centred around a historic country house. Facilities include a purpose-built music school, a performing arts centre, and extensive sporting grounds featuring an indoor swimming pool and a lake for kayaking. The school emphasises a broad curriculum and character development, preparing children for transition to a wide range of independent senior schools.

Cumnor House Sussex is a co-educational independent day and boarding prep school for pupils aged 2 to 13, situated near Haywards Heath. Set within 60 acres of grounds on the edge of the Ashdown Forest, the school features facilities including a purpose-built theatre, a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, and an outdoor forest school. Originally founded in 1931, the school promotes an ethos known as 'The Cumnor Way', which focuses on kindness and community contribution. The broad curriculum prepares children for transition into a range of senior schools across the country.

Brighton College Prep Handcross is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 2 to 13, set within 52 acres of Sussex parkland. Rebranded from Handcross Park School in 2025, it is part of the Brighton College family and promotes an ethos of kindness and academic ambition. Facilities include a specialist Art and Design Centre, a 6-hole golf course, and an elevated outdoor classroom. The school provides a broad curriculum with specialist teaching in subjects such as Mandarin, complemented by extensive sporting and creative opportunities in its rural setting.

Christ's Hospital is an independent co-educational boarding and day school for students aged 11-18, situated on a 1,200-acre estate south of Horsham, West Sussex. Established in 1552, the school operates under a royal charter and is known for its charitable foundation. It claims to challenge inequality by providing a nurturing education to young people from diverse backgrounds, with a majority of students receiving means-tested bursaries. The curriculum aims to combine academic ambition with a focus on broader opportunities in sports, music, art, and drama.

Situated on a 70-acre country estate in Washington, West Sussex, Windlesham House School is a co-educational day and boarding preparatory school for pupils aged 4 to 13. Founded in 1837, the school claims to focus on providing a relaxed, nurturing environment, supported by its long-standing policy of not requiring a school uniform. Facilities within the grounds include a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, a nine-hole golf course, and extensive woodland for outdoor learning. The school aims to encourage intellectual curiosity and personal development through a wide-ranging co-curricular programme.

Hurstpierpoint College is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 4 to 18, situated on a 140-acre campus in Hassocks, West Sussex. Founded in 1849 by Nathaniel Woodard, the college is a member of the Woodard Corporation and is noted for its Gothic Revival architecture and Grade II listed chapel. The school provides a balanced education, integrating academic study with diverse sporting and creative activities. Facilities include a theatre, music school, and an on-site farm. Notably, the college maintains the oldest school Shakespeare society in existence, founded in 1854.

Cottesmore School is a co-educational preparatory day and boarding school for pupils aged 4 to 13, situated at Pease Pottage in West Sussex. Founded in 1894 and occupying its current site since 1946, the school is housed in Buchan Hill, a Grade II-listed Victorian mansion designed by architects Ernest George and Harold Peto. Set within 30 acres of countryside, the school maintains an ethos that every child has a talent. Facilities include a 20-metre indoor swimming pool and the Sopwith Centre, which provides specialist spaces for art, science, and design technology.

The Prebendal School is a co-educational day and boarding preparatory school for pupils aged 3 to 13, situated in the heart of Chichester, West Sussex. Recognised as the oldest school in Sussex, its history dates back to the 11th century as a song school for Chichester Cathedral, with which it maintains a close official link today. The school is housed in a collection of historic buildings, including a 13th-century school house. It provides a broad education with a strong musical tradition, serving as the choir school for the cathedral’s choristers.

Lancing College is a co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 13 to 18. Situated in West Sussex, east of Worthing, the school is set within 330 acres of the South Downs National Park. Founded in 1848 by Nathaniel Woodard, it operates as a Christian foundation in the Anglican tradition. The school claims to focus on inspiring a desire for excellence, fostering independent minds, and promoting Christian values and community contribution.

Brambletye School is a co-educational independent preparatory day and boarding school for pupils aged 2 to 13, situated near East Grinstead, West Sussex. Occupying a 140-acre estate overlooking Ashdown Forest, the school is centred on a Victorian country house built in 1896. Originally founded in 1919, Brambletye focuses on providing a broad education guided by its ethos of "Work hard, play hard and be kind." Facilities include a 270-seat theatre, an indoor swimming pool, and a golf course, with the extensive grounds supporting a wide range of outdoor learning and sporting activities.

Farlington School is an independent day and boarding school located in Horsham, West Sussex. Established in 1896, it became fully co-educational in September 2021, catering to pupils aged 6 months to 18 years. Situated within 33 acres of parkland, the school offers a rural setting. Farlington School claims to focus on its core values of Individuality, Opportunity, and Community, with a mission to encourage pupils to "Live life to the full" (Vive ut vivas). It is affiliated with the Bellevue Education group. Pastoral care and wellbeing are stated as central to its educational approach.

Worth School is a co-educational Catholic day and boarding school for pupils aged 11 to 18, set within 500 acres of West Sussex countryside near Turners Hill. The school is located on the historic Paddockhurst estate alongside Worth Abbey, a Benedictine monastery. Its ethos is guided by Benedictine values of community and service. Architectural highlights include the circular 1960s abbey and the modern Spencer Building. Facilities feature a professional-standard theatre, a golf course, and a dedicated Sixth Form centre. Pupils can study either A-Levels or the International Baccalaureate within a diverse extracurricular programme.