St Andrew's Prep

Mission statement

“The primary aim of St Andrew’s Prep is to equip the children to lead happy, fulfilled lives in a safe and healthy environment. We offer a broad education that provides opportunities for every pupil in all aspects of school life: academic, sport, performing and creative arts and social.

We strive for a culture of acknowledgement rather than judgement, in which each child is valued for what he or she can offer."

Academics

St Andrew’s Prep creates a balanced and holistic educational experience for students, through a diverse curriculum which mixes academic studies with opportunities to participate in sports and the arts, as well as various co-curricular activities.pportunities . As students' progress through the school the curriculum diversifies, and students are taught by subject specialist teachers. Starting from year 7 students are set by ability in English, Maths, French, Latin and Science so that the courses can be further specialised and tailored to fit each student.

Students attend a Beach School each week, spending time by the sea or in the South Downs to encourage creativity, and the ability to work, relax and learn in a non-classroom environment.

The school moved away from Common Entrance Exams in favour of The Bridge Curriculum in 2019. This system takes the best parts of the Common Entrance system and the National Curriculum to create a programme that better prepares students for the challenges of the GCSEs when they reach Senior School. Students' performance in the programme’s rigorous examinations will be assessed and monitored, and where possible, compared to the Common Entrance. The school collaborates with Eastbourne College to make the transition from Prep to senior school as seamless as possible. Alumni have progressed to their senior schools such as Gordonstoun, King’s Canterbury and Tonbridge and Wellington College.

Activities & sports

St Andrew’s Prep offers a breadth of extra-curricular activities to enhance students’ education experience by creating ‘lifelong passions’.

The school has a ‘sport for all’ policy, ensuring all students can participate in a range of sports at multiple levels in state-of-the-art facilities. Sports on offer include, but are not limited to, archery, ballet, cricket, fencing, football, hockey, sailing and shooting. St Andrew’s Prep offers a Cultural Curriculum which encourages artistic expression through the arts. The school has a strong musical theatre programme, offering specialist training and the opportunity to take nationally recognised LAMDA exams, as well as annual whole school performances. Various musical instrument lessons and ensembles are available students.

Further co-curricular activities range from chess club to Brownies, batik and Lego clinic. The school also runs an activities’ programme every Saturday morning for children in years 4 to 8.

International student community

St Andrew’s Prep welcomes international students, with more than 14 countries represented by the student cohort over the past three years. This promotes diversity and inclusion across the school. The school was a finalist for the International Student Experience Award in the Independent Schools of the Year 2022 Award. The school offers English lessons to all overseas students which are tailored to suit the individual. Assisted transfers from local airports to the school and a strong pastoral support system ensure all overseas students are well cared for throughout their school experience.

Boarding life

St Andrew’s Prep welcomes boarding students from the age of 7 onwards. The boarding house has recently been refurbished and is safe and comfortable place for all students to live. The boarding house and pastoral staff cater towards all students, regardless of whether they are international or local and there is a diverse mix of cultures present, promoting tolerance and acceptance amongst pupils. Boarding at the school allows students to form meaningful relationships with their peers and teachers, that last a lifetime.