School profile Verified 18 August 2026

Ardingly College

College Road, Haywards Heath, RH17 6SQ

Ardingly College is a private secondary-stage school in Haywards Heath, West Sussex, with a published age range of 2-20.

Private school Co-ed Ages 2-20 Sixth form Boarding school

Application ?: Apply direct to school
Age range: 2-20
ISI ?: Standards met
Boarding ?: Boarding school

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At a glance

Key facts

Sector: Private school
Gender: Mixed
Application ?: Apply direct to school
Age range: 2-20
Boarding ?: Boarding school
Route check: Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.
ISI ?: Standards met

Overview

Ardingly’s history begins with the Woodard foundation of St Saviour’s School at Shoreham in 1858. Girls joined the Sixth Form in 1972, the Senior School during the 1980s and the Junior School in 1986, turning an older boys’ boarding institution into the co-educational college it is today. The Church of England foundation remains part of its identity while the school welcomes pupils of all faiths and none.

The academic route offers genuine qualification choice. Senior pupils progress through Key Stage 3 to GCSE and IGCSE, while the Sixth Form includes A levels, BTECs and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. English-language support is available for some international pupils, and boarding pupils take part in the same academic and co-curricular life as day pupils.

A 240-acre campus gives the wider programme unusual physical range. Facilities include a 25-metre pool, sports halls, artificial pitches, courts, cricket pitches, an athletics track, a strength and conditioning centre and access to Ardingly Reservoir for watersports. More than 25 sports sit beside music, drama, dance and over 150 activities; productions, LAMDA, concerts, individual music lessons and recording facilities add depth to the creative programme.

The main senior entry points are Year 7 at 11+, Year 9 at 13+ and Sixth Form at 16+. Day, full, weekly and flexi boarding are available, while international applicants can use GCSE or Pre-Sixth Form pathways and must demonstrate appropriate English. Ardingly’s character comes from the combination of Woodard history, qualification breadth, a substantial campus and multiple ways to live at the college.

Key points

Assessment route: Applications are made directly to the school. Check the school's own admissions pages for registration dates, entrance assessment stages, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.
Places and demand: Published Year 7 place numbers and applicant-per-place data are not included in GIAS for this private-school seed profile.
Catchment: Private-school eligibility is not controlled by the local-authority grammar catchment model; check boarding, day-pupil, transport and any sibling or faith rules on the school site.
Results: 0% grade 5+ in English and maths and 7 Attainment 8
Sixth form: Sixth form available with 32.4% AAB or better.

GCSE benchmark

Latest 2024/25 KS4 measures compared with West Sussex and England.

School Local authority England

Attainment 8: 7
Grade 5+ English and maths: 0%
EBacc APS: 0.18
EBacc entry: 0%

Attainment 8 trend

Recent published Attainment 8 scores compared with West Sussex and England.

School Local authority England

School details

Sector: Private school
School type: Other independent school
Funding: Independent fee-paying
Application: Apply direct to school
Gender: Mixed
Age range: 2-20
Headmaster: Mr B A H Figgis
Pupil roll: 1,056 pupils
Sixth form: Yes
Boarding: Boarding school

Location and contact

Address

Address: College Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex
Postcode: RH17 6SQ
Area: West Sussex

School leadership

Headmaster: Mr B A H Figgis

School contact

School phone: 01444893000

Admissions contact

Admissions team: Admissions
Admissions email: admissions@ardingly.com
Admissions phone: +44 (0) 1444 893000

Open in Map Open school website

Admissions

Application route: Apply direct to school
Age range: 2-20
Gender: Mixed
Boarding: Boarding school
Day fees: Check school fees page
Boarding fees: Check school fees page
Scholarships and bursaries: Scholarships and bursaries
Entrance details: Entrance assessment details are not part of the GIAS open data extract.
Admissions note: GIAS confirms the school type and age range; fees, scholarships, bursaries and entrance assessments should be checked on the school's own website.

GIAS confirms the school type and age range; fees, scholarships, bursaries and entrance assessments should be checked on the school's own website.

Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.

Oversubscription and eligibility

Use the official admissions policy for the current priority order and eligibility rules.

Exam and test format

Entrance route and assessment

Entrance assessment details are not part of the GIAS open data extract.

Assessment route: Apply direct to school

Application

Key dates

Get date reminders

Year 7 registration and scholarship deadline

16 October 2026

Route: Year 7 (11+); entry: 2027. Also the deadline for all 11+ scholarships.
Year 7 engagement and assessment day

14 November 2026

Route: Year 7 (11+); entry: 2027.
Year 7 scholarship assessment window

16-20 November 2026

Route: Year 7 (11+); entry: 2027. Academic, Art, Dance, Drama, Music and Sport scholarships.
Year 7 offers sent

December 2026

Route: Year 7 (11+); entry: 2027.
Year 9 registration deadline

6 October 2026

Route: Year 9 (13+); entry: 2029.
Year 9 engagement and assessment day

6 February 2027

Route: Year 9 (13+); entry: 2029.
Year 9 decision letter

March 2027

Route: Year 9 (13+); entry: 2029.
Sixth Form registration and scholarship deadline

6 October 2026

Route: Sixth Form (16+); entry: 2027.
Sixth Form assessment day

7 November 2026

Route: Sixth Form (16+); entry: 2027.
Sixth Form scholarship assessment window

9-13 November 2026

Route: Sixth Form (16+); entry: 2027. Academic, Art, Drama, Music and Sport scholarships.
Sixth Form offers made

December 2026

Route: Sixth Form (16+); entry: 2027.
Sixth Form acceptance deadline

January 2027

Route: Sixth Form (16+); entry: 2027.

How to apply

1
Register directly with the College

Use the UK senior-school registration form for 11+, 13+ or 16+ entry by the relevant deadline.
Register for a place
2
Provide a current-school reference

The College requests a reference from the applicant's current school.
Read admissions process
3
Attend the relevant assessment

Year 7 candidates complete the published 11+ assessment and engagement process before offers are made.
Read key dates

Results

Attainment snapshot

Attainment 8 ?: 7 Attainment 8
GCSE results: 0% grade 4+ in English and maths
Grade 5+ English and maths ?: 0% grade 5+ in English and maths
EBacc average point score ?: 0.18 EBacc APS
A-level results: 32.4% AAB or better
A-level average points: 43.68 A-level points per entry

Inspection

View report

Standards met

Latest inspection: Not yet verified

Leadership, management and governance: Standards met
Quality of education, training and recreation: Standards met
Physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing: Standards met
Social and economic education and contribution to society: Standards met
Safeguarding: Standards met

Quick summary

Latest ISI report: Routine Inspections 2024 is the latest report listed by ISI. The report says the relevant standards were met.

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Shortlist comparisons

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Guides and related reading

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How does Ardingly College handle admissions?

Ardingly College handles applications directly. Check the school website for registration dates, entrance assessments, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.

How do I apply to Ardingly College?

1. Register directly with the College: Use the UK senior-school registration form for 11+, 13+ or 16+ entry by the relevant deadline. 2. Provide a current-school reference: The College requests a reference from the applicant's current school. 3. Attend the relevant assessment: Year 7 candidates complete the published 11+ assessment and engagement process before offers are made.

When are the key dates for Ardingly College?

Year 7 registration and scholarship deadline: 16 October 2026. Year 7 engagement and assessment day: 14 November 2026. Year 7 scholarship assessment window: 16-20 November 2026. Year 7 offers sent: December 2026. Year 9 registration deadline: 6 October 2026. Year 9 engagement and assessment day: 6 February 2027. Year 9 decision letter: March 2027. Sixth Form registration and scholarship deadline: 6 October 2026. Sixth Form assessment day: 7 November 2026. Sixth Form scholarship assessment window: 9-13 November 2026. Sixth Form offers made: December 2026. Sixth Form acceptance deadline: January 2027

What does the latest inspection picture look like for Ardingly College?

Ardingly College is currently rated Standards met.