Ardingly College Review: Rankings, Fees, And More
Enter the world of Ardingly College, a prestigious co-educational day and boarding school located in West Sussex, offering quality education programmes such as A Levels, IB, and GCSE. Known for its smaller pastoral groups and pastoral care, Ardingly ensures that every student gets the attention they deserve to thrive and achieve their full potential.
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Ardingly College Summary
- Type of school: Co-educational
- Age range: 11-18
- Pupils: 1,052; sixth formers: 277
- Fees: (Full Boarding) £11,301 – £16,247 per term
- 2024 A Level Results: 64% A*-A
- 2024 GCSE Results: 72% 9-7
- 2024 IB Results: 38.9 Point Average
Ardingly College Overview
Ardingly was founded in 1858 as St. Saviour’s College, with a mission to provide education rooted in Christian values. Today, it has evolved into a thriving institution with three schools—Prep, Junior, and Senior—set on a stunning 420-acre campus.
The school places strong emphasis on pastoral care, ensuring students receive the support they need to excel. With over 150 extracurricular activities, students have ample opportunities to develop their interests and passions.
Academically, Ardingly upholds high standards through a rigorous curriculum and dedicated teaching staff, reflected in its strong track record of A Level, IB, and GCSE results.
The school also encourages intellectual curiosity beyond the classroom. Students can join academic clubs, educational trips, attend lectures, compete in national and in-house competitions, and pursue independent research projects like the Shell Individual Project (Year 9), HPQ, and EPQ.
Ardingly College Courses
Shell (Year 9)
Students study eight core subjects: English, Mathematics, Sciences, Humanities & Languages, PSHE, Games, Individual Project (IP), and IT Skills. The IP allows students to research and present a personal project in any format. They also select three additional subjects, such as Art, Music, Drama, Latin, Sports Science, or Design & Technology.
GCSE (Years 10 & 11)
Core subjects include English Language, Mathematics, and Science. Students choose additional subjects based on their interests and follow a PSHE programme covering social, health, and economic topics through workshops.
A Levels
Students typically begin with four subjects before narrowing down to three. They may also complete an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), which involves independent research and a final presentation, similar to the IB Extended Essay.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
A globally recognised programme designed to develop critical thinking and research skills. Students take six subjects plus the IB Core, which includes English, Mathematics, a science, a language, and a humanity subject.
BTEC
A practical alternative to A Levels, BTECs focus on coursework-based assessment. A Level 3 BTEC is equivalent to one A Level and is ideal for students who prefer continuous assessment over final exams.
Ardingly College Fees
Ardingly College full boarding fees (inclusive of VAT):
- Years 7 & 8: £11,301 per term
- Years 9–11: £15,671 per term
- Sixth Form: £16,247 per term
- IAP (International Academic Programme): £15,251 per term
These fees cover accommodation, meals, and standard tuition. Additional costs may apply for extracurricular activities, trips, and specialist programmes.
Ardingly College Results
Ardingly College consistently achieves outstanding academic results, placing it among the top schools in the UK.
Sixth Form (2024 Result)
- A Levels: 64% of grades were A*-A
- IB: Average Score 38.9
GCSE (2024 Result)
72% of all grades were 9-7 (top grades).
These results reflect Ardingly’s rigorous academic standards and commitment to student success
Ardingly College Boarding Experience
Ardingly College offers a vibrant and safe boarding experience, accommodating approximately 50% of its Sixth Form students as boarders. In fact, The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) highlighted boarding as a “significant strength” in their June 2024 report.
Boarding Options:
1) Full Boarding: Students reside on campus throughout the term, engaging in a variety of weekend activities and events.
2) Weekly Boarding: Boarders stay on campus during the week and return home for weekends. The school provides escorted train services to Clapham Junction on Friday afternoons and a returning coach from Clapham Common on Monday mornings.
3) Flexi Boarding: Day pupils can opt to stay on campus up to three nights per week, with a designated bed and space in a dormitory.
Boarding Houses:
Each student becomes part of a modern, purpose-built boarding house, fostering a “home from home” atmosphere. The houses are organised as follows:
1) Lower School (Years 7 and 8): A co-educational boarding house for younger students.
2) Senior School (Years 9 to 12): Two boys’ houses (Mertens and Hilton) and two girls’ houses (Aberdeen and Toynbee).
3) Upper Sixth (Year 13): Godwin Hall accommodates all Upper Sixth students, offering a university-style environment with en-suite rooms and shared common areas.
Weekend Activities:
Weekends at Ardingly are fun-filled, with 150 to 200 boarders participating in various activities. Saturdays feature sports fixtures, shuttle services to nearby towns, and evening social events. Sundays offer a relaxed brunch and optional trips to destinations like cinemas, trampoline parks, or theme parks.
This comprehensive boarding programme ensures that students at Ardingly College thrive academically, socially, and personally within a nurturing community.
Ardingly College Pastoral Care
Pastoral care is one of Ardingly’s greatest strengths, ensuring students feel supported, valued, and equipped to thrive. The school’s House system creates a strong sense of belonging, with small tutor groups providing individual guidance. In the Senior School, tutors work closely with no more than ten students, allowing for personalised attention and tailored support.
Ardingly’s pastoral team plays a vital role in ensuring students receive the support they need. The team is made up of Housemasters and Housemistresses, Tutors, the Mental Health Lead, School Counsellors, Matrons, and the Health & Wellbeing Centre staff, all working cohesively together to create a strong network of care.
Each student is assigned a House Tutor, who serves as their first point of contact for guidance and support. Tutors meet regularly with students, helping them navigate challenges, set academic and personal goals, and build confidence.
Housemasters and Housemistresses oversee the pastoral care within each House, ensuring that every student feels part of a close-knit community. They work closely with parents and other staff members to provide individualised support where needed.
The Health & Wellbeing Centre is staffed 24/7 by qualified nurses and medical professionals, offering both physical and emotional care. Students also have access to a dedicated Mental Health Lead and a team of professional counsellors, ensuring that wellbeing is prioritised at all times.
To further enhance support, Ardingly has introduced Mental Health Ambassadors within Houses and a peer mentoring programme, encouraging students to look out for one another and foster a culture of care.
With this dedicated team in place, Ardingly ensures that every student is supported, listened to, and empowered to succeed.
Ardingly College Application Deadline
Boarding applications must be submitted by September of the year before the intended start date. For example, students applying for the next academic year must complete their applications by September.
Ardingly College Extracurricular Activities
There’s never a dull moment at Ardingly College. The school offers a comprehensive and dynamic extracurricular programme, providing students with numerous opportunities to explore their interests and develop new skills beyond the classroom.
Sport
Ardingly offers over 25 different sports disciplines. Major ones include football, hockey, cricket, and swimming, with additional options such as netball, tennis, athletics, fencing, basketball, climbing, and rowing. Students benefit from world-class facilities, including a 25-metre swimming pool, multiple sports halls, floodlit astro turf pitches, and a state-of-the-art Strength & Conditioning centre.
Music
The Music Department provides plenty of opportunities for students of all abilities. With a team of six full-time staff and 28 visiting teachers, Ardingly College offers lessons in various instruments, including orchestral instruments, piano, organ, guitar, drums, and voice. More than 430 individual lessons occur weekly in the purpose-built Music School, which features a recital room, practice rooms, and a recording studio. Students can join over 30 ensembles and choirs, participating in approximately 60 concerts annually, ranging from informal recitals to major events at prestigious venues.
Drama
Drama is integral to life at Ardingly, with numerous opportunities for involvement both on and off stage. The College stages three major productions annually, catering to different year groups and spanning various genres. Students can engage in acting, stage management, set design, lighting, makeup, and costume design. The House Drama competition allows students to collaborate across year groups, fostering creativity and leadership. Additionally, over 100 students participate in LAMDA lessons, enhancing their acting and public speaking skills.
Dance
The Dance Department encourages students at all levels, offering classes in ballet, contemporary, street dance, acro dance, jazz, and musical theatre. More than 150 students participate in the dance programme, with opportunities to perform in the annual ‘Lost in Motion’ dance show and other events. The College provides professional studios equipped with sprung floors and high-quality sound systems. Dance is also available as a GCSE subject, focusing on performance, choreography, and critical appreciation.
Clubs and Activities
Ardingly offers a diverse range of clubs and societies catering to all interests. Some popular options include:
- Yoga and mindfulness
- Dance
- Science
- Chess
- Robotics
- Debating society
- Coding,
- Film making
- Art
- Photography
- Pottery
Trips
For those who enjoy exploring and cultural exchange, the school organises a variety of local and international trips. These excursions provide students with opportunities for personal growth, cultural enrichment, and practical application of their studies. Notable trips include geography expeditions to Iceland, football tours to Eindhoven, and service projects in Ecuador and the Galapagos Archipelago.
Ardingly College Review
“Fantastic school. High sporting and academic results. Down to earth pupils.”
“They really care about their students, its an awesome college, I really loved it, people are very nice and kind and i could meet friends from all over the world through the exchange programs.”
Ardingly College Contact Information
- Official Website: https://www.ardingly.com
- Phone: +44 (0) 1444 893000
- Email address: office@ardingly.com
- Location: Ardingly College, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6SQ
Frequently Asked Questions
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Speak to us today for free application assistance and education advice. Our expert consultants are more than happy to help!