Brighton College is a leading boarding and day school for boys and girls aged 3-18

Brighton College is a boarding and day school for boys and girls aged 11–18 in Brighton, England. Brighton College Preparatory School, for children aged 8 to 13, is located immediately next to the College itself and shares many of its facilities.

Pre-Prep School (3+ to 7+)

The first major intake point into the pre-prep school is at age 3, into our Nursery. Each year, two classes are admitted; children start with us in the autumn term following their third birthday. A limited number of places are available for entry to Reception, at age 4. Our next main intake point is usually at age 6, into Year 2, with further places also generally available for entry into Year 3.

Prep School (8+ to 10+)

Subject to places being available, children may join Brighton College Prep School in Years 4, 5 or 6, and they remain in the school until the end of Year 8. Only day pupils are accepted, as there is no boarding at the prep school.

The main intake point into the prep school is at age 8, into Year 4, though places are usually available also for Year 5 and sometimes Year 6. Admission to all year groups is on the basis of assessments in Maths, English and Verbal Reasoning.

The College (11+)

Each year, two classes are admitted at the age of 11 to join the Lower School, which caters for about 80 children in Years 7 and 8. Admission is on the basis of assessment in Maths, English and Verbal Reasoning, alongside a short interview. Registration is recommended as soon as possible and at least one year prior to entry.

The College (13+)

Year 9 is the main intake point for entry into Brighton College and, as such, registration is required as soon as possible and at least two years prior to entry. Entry into Year 9 is either through the Common Entrance (CE) or Academic Scholarship examination in the June of the year of entry or, for pupils who do not attend a CE school, through the Brighton College entry assessments, which take place 18 months prior to entry.

The College (16+)

Admission to our Sixth Form is on the basis of an interview with senior teachers, alongside assessments in Verbal Reasoning, English and Maths and a General paper assessing aptitudes in scientific reasoning, logic and writing. Registration is normally one year prior to entry.

The College (Overseas Applications)

Boarding places are available from Year 9 upwards at the College and from Year 4 at our Junior School, Handcross Park Prep School. We accept day applications from overseas pupils for each point of entry.

Places at the College and at Handcross Park Prep School are offered on the basis of assessment in English as an Additional Language, alongside our standard entry assessment papers. Registration is normally one year prior to entry.

Brighton College has a thriving boarding community and there are now more boarders in the school than at any time in its history. All five boarding houses have excellent facilities and benefit from a continuous process of refurbishment. They are designed to be homely and comfortable and they also offer up-to-date facilities such as wi-fi, Skype, modern furniture, fitted kitchens and IT suites. The Smith Building opened in January 2012 and this has a wonderful, contemporary lounge for all the boarders – both boys and girls – to enjoy in the evenings; it also houses a new health centre, staffed by our wonderful school nurses.

After the day pupils have gone home, the boarders continue to have access to the school’s many facilities during the evening. These include the swimming pool, the sports hall, fitness suites, the library, music practice rooms, IT facilities, art department and more. There are also organised evening activities for the boarders; you can read more about these on the other pages about boarding.

Boys and girls who would like to board in Year 7 can join the Junior Boarding House at Handcross Park Preparatory School.

The Junior Boarding House is a lively and integral part of Handcross Park School and is situated in the heart of the main building.  It has been newly refurbished and the warm, friendly pastoral team ensures that there is always a “home away from home” atmosphere within the safe, secure and nurturing environment on a beautiful fifty acre site.

All new junior girl boarders join either New House or Fenwick House. The team of staff within each house is responsible for the on-going pastoral and academic welfare of the girls. Both houses welcome a group of new boarders into the 4th form (Year 9) each year and they remain in their boarding house throughout their five years at Brighton College. A small number of girls join as new sixth formers, too.

Boy boarders join School, Abraham or Head’s House; each of these houses is home to around 55 boys during term-time. The houses welcome between fifteen and twenty new boarders each year and these boys remain in their boarding house throughout their five years at Brighton College. A small number of boys join the houses as new sixth formers, too.

Courses