Brighton College

Focus 

Enthusiasm, awareness, respect and tolerance

Day fees 2024/25

$29,000–$39,700 (excl. VAT)

Boarding fees 2024/25 

$55,400–$69,300 (excl. VAT)

Pupils 

1,240

Ages

11–18

Spear’s Review

Regularly top of the academic league tables, Brighton College is a fantastically well-equipped school far away from the pressures of London.

With an inclusive and progressive philosophy of learning, it aims to produce ambitious children who are ‘at ease with themselves’ and have a lifelong love of learning. Frequently regarded by industry commentators as one of the top co-educational schools in the country, Brighton College fosters a culture based on integrity, kindness and contentment. Older students are encouraged to mentor younger children and mix with those outside of their year group. 

Children are also taught to practice kindness to themselves, with well-being a central tenet of the school’s culture. Students have access to a 24-hour health and well-being centre, a nutritionist, a cold water therapist and a clinical scientist providing advice on sleep hygiene. 

Academics

95 per cent of GCSE results are grades 7–9.

87 per cent of A-Level results are A* or A.

University and college destinations

According to the school, around one-third of graduates are offered places at Oxford or Cambridge each year, with around 700 offers received annually from Russell Group universities. US universities are also well represented, with students receiving offers from Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Columbia and UC Berkeley.

School Profile

Brighton College is one of the world’s leading independent schools for girls and boys. The college regularly achieves the best A-Level and GCSE results of any co-educational school in the UK, while ensuring children enjoy a wealth of extracurricular opportunities. 

Renowned for its focus on kindness, the college also excels in art, music, dance, drama and sport. Recently named UK ‘School of the Decade’ by the Sunday Times, and twice winner of ‘England’s Independent School of the Year’, Brighton College has also been called ‘Britain’s most forward-thinking school’ and ‘Top in Britain for STEM’ by The Week. 

Brighton College provides a bridge between a historic past and a pioneering future. It sits, too, at the heart of one of Britain’s most vibrant and creative cities.    

Founded in 1845, the college fuses stirring Victorian architecture by Sir George Gilbert Scott with a host of bold and contemporary buildings. Many of these have received awards from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), including the Music School with its world-class Recital Hall, and the Yeoh Building, where pupils study economics, politics, mathematics and history. 

Most recently, Brighton College opened a stunning new School of Science and Sport designed by renowned European architect OMA to create a novel interplay between two disciplines often kept apart. The stunning green technology building includes 18 superbly equipped science labs, while sports facilities include a rooftop running track with views over the sea and the South Downs.  

Top co-educational school 

Brighton College is a beacon of academic success. In the most recent exam results, Sixth Formers achieved 100 per cent A*-B in their A-Levels, while the most common grade at GCSE was the top grade of 9, with 95 per cent of exam grades being 9-7/A*-A. The school ranked top of the Telegraph’s league table of 2,000 co-educational schools in England.  

While celebrating success across the board in both academic disciplines and sports – a steady stream of Old Brightonians have gone on to play professionally and for their countries – Brighton College strives to create an inclusive culture where all pupils can feel happy and confident to be themselves. Its ethos is one of kindness, personal development and awareness of the wider world. 

The college overseas 

The college also has six international schools: in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Bangkok, Dubai, Singapore and Hanoi. Each shares Brighton College’s aims and ethos, combining academic excellence with a wealth of co-curricular opportunities. This is underpinned by a deep commitment to the needs and enthusiasms of all pupils. All the schools believe in the importance of the individual, encouraging every pupil to develop their talents in an inclusive and intellectually curious community where every achievement, however small, is noticed. 

Head teacher

The current head master of Brighton College is Steve Marshall-Taylor. He succeeded Richard Cairns, who is now the principal of all 11 Brighton College schools globally. Marshall-Taylor graduated from Nottingham University with a first in French and German, and completed his PGCE at the University of Cambridge. He held several roles at King’s College School, Wimbledon, before joining Brighton College as deputy headmaster in 2013.

Admissions

Following registration, children are invited to sit assessments, either at the college or via the ISEB Common Pre-Test at their current prep school. Successful candidates are invited to spend a day at the college for the second part of the assessment process. Children are offered a place on the basis of a successful assessment.

Accessibility

Heathrow Airport: 1 hour 15 minutes

Location

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