Exploring new things, enjoying fresh challenges, developing skills and character, feeling inspired to learn and forming lifelong friendships are all at the heart of a Westbourne House education.
Westbourne House is a very special place for children to grow up and gives each and every pupil an outstanding start to their education. Our teachers are inventive, fun and keen to share their enthusiasm for their subjects and make a determined effort to get to know new children: what makes them tick, their concerns and dreams. We encourage and champion kindness and, regardless of age, new pupils, both day and boarding, quickly feel settled, happy and appreciated for who they are.
At Westbourne House, children enjoy a wonderful sense of freedom in our beautiful 100-acre site and discover a broad and stimulating curriculum, a combination which makes each day exciting. We encourage all our pupils to make the most of every opportunity and be the best that they can be. Through each enriching experience – a visit to the beach, a close cricket match, meeting an author, canoeing on our lake, experiments in science, art in the woods, drama performance or concert – pupils expand their interests, follow their passions and, by doing so, develop humility and self-confidence.
Gateway to best independent senior schools and universities
A team of people including the headmaster and the academic head support our families to select the best fit senior school for their child. The senior schools our children move on to include Brighton College, Canford, Cranleigh, Eton, Hurstpierpoint, Marlborough, Seaford to name but a few. Each year senior schools present our pupils with a large number of scholarships (special awards for excellence) in a wide range of subjects including music, science, all-round academic performance, languages, art, drama and sport.
Beautiful environment & convenient location
We are situated close to the historical city of Chichester, between the hills of the South Downs and the sparkling sea, and we make the most of our special location. We are not far from London, Heathrow or Gatwick and our proximity to these transport hubs allows for an impressive programme of trips abroad; choir performances in Brussels, Paris, Rome, Prague and Tuscany, academic and ski trips to France, sports tours to Barcelona, Amsterdam and Cape Town and a geography trip to Iceland.
A broad and inspiring curriculum
Around 75% of children at Westbourne House learn at least one musical instrument, with many learning two or more. Our Music School has four full-time staff and many more visiting specialist teachers. Regular concerts, both at school and in our local community, provide children with the opportunity to practise performing in front of an audience.
We are equally passionate about drama. Every year, each year group puts on a theatre production, many of which are straight plays and fully inclusive to give every pupil their chance to shine on stage. In Years 6 and 8, pupils audition for big musical productions with West End-style costumes and makeup, live music, lighting, sound and dramatic stunts! Most pupils perform on stage but there are also opportunities to work backstage or in lighting and sound.
Art and DT also feature strongly with pupils learning fine art alongside ceramics, textiles, food technology, robotics and resistant materials. The culmination is an incredible summer art exhibition.
Excellent academic preparation
Our experienced teachers are specialists in their fields, and the passion they have for their subjects is contagious. Aided by small class sizes, teachers closely monitor each child’s progress and are ready to give extra support where needed or challenge those who are ready to go further.
We teach all pupils the skills, values and attitudes needed to become good learners and this powerful combination of emotional and cerebral characteristics helps draw the best from every pupil. It gives pupils more autonomy for their learning, enabling them to take intellectual risks confidently, talk about and question their learning and be more creative in their thinking.
These skills are not only good for passing today’s exams but also for succeeding in the future.
Happy and inclusive boarding community
Our boarders are a mixture of local, London and international pupils. We have seven different boarding houses: one in the main house (for Years 3 to 6), and the rest (Years 7 to 8) are set up as a friendly cul-de-sac of houses in the school grounds – each one has a married couple as houseparents and a home from home feel.
In addition to the support of houseparents, there are many more residential staff including matrons, gap students and academic staff, all of whom take great care of the boarders during their time at school. The Matrons’ Department, headed by qualified nurses, oversees all the medical requirements of the school on a daily basis.
Weekends at school are an opportunity to unwind and have fun. Sports matches between Westbourne House and other schools take place on Saturday mornings. In the afternoon, we have optional Saturday Activities, which enable our pupils to do more of what they love or to try something new. On Sundays, there is plenty of time to relax – contacting home, reading books, playing games and often an outing with their boarding friends to local beaches, stately homes and other local attractions.
Welcoming community
Parents are often at school for assemblies, matches, picnics, concerts, plays and Chapel. We encourage all our pupils to be kind, look out for and support one another and throughout the school there is a wonderful community spirit.
“We moved from London and Westbourne House was one of the deciding factors. From the impressive grounds to the nurturing environment, Westbourne House ticks all the boxes. Our children have flourished since joining.”
"Thank you for having Lucas with you, it has been a great academic & personal experience; he has been very happy, we see him very integrated and he has made great friends at WHS."
“Our children came from leading independent schools in London where the pressure was significant and they have absolutely blossomed on arrival at Westbourne House School and grown in confidence year on year.”
"We are very grateful to Westbourne House School for your all patience over the last 3 years and for raising Emma to be so happy and confident. We were very worried about Emma's ability to adapt when we came from China, so thank you for allaying that anxiety."
“Westbourne House School is excellent preparation for a move to Brighton College in Year 9. Their pupils are adventurous, keen to get involved, responsible and academically they are extremely well prepared.”
“Westbourne House School’s approach to academic learning is a game changer. It teaches the children how to learn as well as what to learn.”
“Pastoral care is excellent at Westbourne. As a parent, I feel that nothing is too small to ask the pastoral team.”
“There are lots of opportunities for children to shine whether it is sports, music, drama or art.”
“Boarders talked effusively about their love of their school environment and the positive impact it has on their sense of wellbeing.”
“Pupils show excellent qualities of leadership”
“Pupils are keen to support new classmates from overseas and value the opportunity to learn about new cultures.”
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