WHAT? WHERE?

Burgess Hill Girls Senior School Sussex school

A stone’s throw from the centre of Burgess Hill (and just a 3 min walk from the station), Burgess Hill Girls is an all-through girls’ day and boarding school boasting beautiful grounds and a sprawling campus. The Nursery, Pre-Prep, Prep, Senior and Sixth Form, as well as two boarding houses (Silverdale and Avondale), are all located on one site, creating a safe and supportive community feel for the 300 day and up to 54 boarders.

In the entrance hall a gleaming glass cabinet laden with trophies is testament to a proud heritage; it was founded in 1906 by three sisters – Beatrice, Ada and Patricia Goode – who wanted to give girls an education equal to that of boys at the time. You’ll find its strap line ‘Tomorrow’s Women’ emblazoned everywhere, highlighting the school’s determination pupils leave believing not just in themselves, but also their ability to benefit the world.

The school day is 8.30am – 4pm, average class size for the senior years is 12 and the school is consistently positioned in the top 100 schools in the UK for results.

FACILITIES

Burgess Hill Girls Senior School Sussex science

Good facilities are certainly not light on the ground at Burgess Hill Girls with multiple state-of-the-art classrooms, two large gyms, a School Theatre (which also serves as the assembly room), a dynamic sports centre and a recently refurbished Sixth Form Common Room (now mixing lower and upper sixth, much to pupils’ chagrin but according to a recent survey socially very beneficial for both groups). The dining hall is exceptional; also recently redecorated and featuring a salad bar, jacket potato station and huge canteen offering all sorts of delicious, (mostly) stodge-free options, where the staff know all the girls on a first name basis.

Everything is in within strolling distance, even the Nursery is nearby, so the younger pupils can aspire to the girls going past in the senior school. The Nursery itself is undergoing a major change this summer with an architecturally designed ‘Outdoor Classroom’ complete with wild gardens, water features and organic play areas to encourage outdoor learning.

The two boarding houses are beautiful Edwardian buildings located on the campus, vertically integrated with a mix of ages to create an intentional family feel. Inside they are modern, bright, friendly, clean, practical and cosy. You can decompress with table football or play a Nintendo Wii and there are daily evening activities ranging from debating to animé club. Saturday trips are popular with visits to nearby Brighton beach or simply going up the road to London. An advantage of the school’s location for international students is undoubtedly its proximity to Gatwick, which is just 30 mins away.

SPORT

Burgess Hill Girls Senior School Sussex hockey

The PE kit at Burgess Hill Girls is a jaunty cerulean blue and purple, aligning with the energetic and positive attitude toward sport. With pupils achieving success at regional, national and international level (GB triathlete Kate Mactear is a former pupil) there are a myriad of sports on offer, from cricket to football to trampolining and horse-riding. There’s even a ski team and an exciting water sports programme which takes place at nearby Ardingly Reservoir.

On site there’s an athletic track, one single and one double tennis court, a gym/fitness suite, sports hall and a multipurpose astroturf used for hockey, football and volleyball. Swimming takes place at the nearby outstanding Triangle leisure centre. Girls are also encouraged to join local clubs and participate in adult leagues, perhaps explaining their success at county and country level.

ART, MUSIC, DRAMA

Burgess Hill Girls Senior School Sussex art

You can’t miss the art at Burgess Hill Girls as it’s hung on practically every available wall – we were particularly taken by a huge portrait done ENTIRELY IN BIRO hanging in the Head of Sixth Form’s study. The department’s dedication to create a fun and energetic space for expression is evident in each unique piece. Every year there is an Art Scholar Exhibition, sticking to a theme and showcasing the outstanding artists that are produced here. There is also a contemporary approach to textiles with industry practice happening from pattern design to fashion to fiber art and installation art.

The drama and music departments don’t fall short either. When we arrived, we were spontaneously given a rendition of Tubular Bells by some Prep pupils, and, given it had only been practised a few times before, it was pretty flawless. In Mozart, the main music room, there is a suite of new iMac computers, providing pupils with the chance to record and edit their own pieces. There is choir most days, a rock band, a jazz band, an orchestra and a string group. A successful music scholarship programme offers about 20 across the school and former students have even gone on to study music at a higher level in America.

Drama is also big. The Director of Drama, Emma Cassim, is a former pupil and has been in the role for 20+ years, her passion shining through the department with the extraordinary productions on offer and the impressive cohort of former students who have found careers as theatre agents, actors, recording artists and more. Two students were recently offered Musical Theatre and Acting at leading conservatoires Trinity Laban and Leeds. But what makes drama at Burgess Hill Girls so special is the collaboration between the year groups.

In the first half-term house spirit is evoked with the Interhouse Performing Arts Competition, where each house produces a piece of drama including an original script, song, choreography and programme. Pupils work closely with other years in all sides of the production; it’s a collaborative process from the lighting to the makeup to the acting and stage direction. There are also drama clubs that run for Y7 and Y8 led by a Sixth Form team. The school offers a Drama Scholar Programme to help hone their skills for a successful future on or off stage.

Did we mention Holly Willoughby is a former pupil?!

SIXTH FORM

Burgess Hill Girls Senior School Sussex school

The new Sixth Form Common Room is now complete and looks sleek, stylish and very grown up. Despite initial grumblings about the mixing of year groups it was a buzzing space full of cheer and the smell of toast and tea hung in the air like a aromatic hug. This cheerful, confident atmosphere is testament to the Sixth Form attitude at Burgess Hill Girls… home of the BOLD Girls.

A clever anacronym representing both old girls of the school (Burgess Hill OLD Girls, get it?!), ‘Being Bold’ is a relatively recent introduction to the school but the BOLD Programme is going from strength to strength and providing the school with a strong identity as well as big goals and initiatives to achieve. With ambitious headlines that include Going Beyond/Exploring Opportunities/Taking Leadership and Personal Development the programme also offers a BOLD award which awards a fully-funded place exclusively to state school students.

Burgess Hill Girls Senior School Sussex les miserables

Head of the programme (and the sixth form) is the charismatic Iain Regan-Smith who emphasises that whilst academic prowess is encouraged, it is not an ‘Exams Factory’ but rather there is a focus on excelling at subjects the girls enjoy. Whilst the school’s academic prowess will set them up for a successful future, to quote Tim Minchin (as Iain did), ‘If you focus too far in front of you, you won’t see the shiny thing out of the corner of your eye.’. Perhaps why there are an extensive 24 subjects on offer at A-Level as well as EPQs so pupils can choose what they particularly like doing and flourish doing so.

The sixth form girls are also encouraged to empower themselves with not only exceptional academic qualifications but also with social, interpersonal and leadership skills to help them excel as ‘Tomorrow’s Women’. In the spring term, Lower Sixth formers organise their own Tomorrow’s Women conference, inviting inspirational speakers to the school to share their stories and offer invaluable tips – other state and independent schools are also invited to attend.

As they prepare for life beyond school the girls are taught important life skills as varied as financial education (like how to navigate student loans for example) to how to drive in the snow. We are here for all the practical know-how.

ACADEMICS

Burgess Hill Girls Senior School Sussex maths

The headlines from the class of 2024 offer an insight into the strength of academia here with 61% achieving A*/A and a 100% of pupils getting their first or insurance choice of university, 59% of which are Russell Group universities. They applied for 55 different courses ranging from Law to Bioveterinary Sciences and BOLD scholarship student Marissa J achieved four A* grades in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and French, securing her place at Imperial College, London to read Biochemistry with French for Science.

The GCSE results are no less impressive with 68% of all entries graded 9-7 and Art and Music retain their unbroken 100% grade 9-7 (A*-A) record. In STEM subjects 85% were graded 9-6 (A*-B). Very good results for a school that is ambitious without being a high-pressure exam factory. We like the emphasis on softer and life skills to allow these young women to take on the world.

WHAT ELSE?

Burgess Hill Girls Senior School Sussex colour run

It’s not what you know… Once a year there is a Networking Dinner where roughly 50 influential professionals are invited to the school for a three-course meal. Guests have reception drinks with the sixth form to foster their networking skills and a speaker will focus on their own professional experience, preparing the students for what might lie ahead for them in the future.

Sixth Formers are also encouraged to show leadership qualities by applying for the School Council, to be Prefects or House or Form Captains. They can also apply for the Speakers’ Programme, Thinking Skills competitions, Duke of Edinburgh or become part of charity fundraising events. They are also encouraged to help pupils in the Prep School with subjects like reading or sport, reinforcing the community aspect of the school’s ethos.

A big part of the ethos is also pastoral care and wellbeing is not just a buzz word at the school; it is taken pretty seriously with a Whole School Wellbeing Week which could include a myriad of activities from healthy eating workshops to kickboxing to reflexology to smoothie bikes to ultimate frisbee and gong baths!

The children’s nurse Liz Hall is also available from 8am to 4pm, Mon to Fri and supporting her role is school dog Jasper, an adorable hypoallergenic cockapoo.

HEAD

Heather Cavanagh was appointed interim head in Sept 2024, having been Head of the Prep School for 14 years and Deputy Head of the whole school. She is a familiar face and knows Burgess Hill Girls inside out – much to the relief of parents who can feel apprehensive when a head leaves. She believes in excellence academically as well as strong pastoral commitments, enrichment programmes, and fostering a unique, empowering community. Her mission is to inspire a joy of learning that can be extended by the girls far beyond the curriculum into their lives at large.

A new head will be elected for the academic year 2026/27.

QUIRKS

Perhaps the most extraordinary event to take place at Burgess Hill Girls is the annual ‘Race the Sun’ expedition. On the longest day of the year sixth form students gather at a secret location on the edge of the South Downs National Park, walking through the night to reach Beachy Head by sunrise. Completed in tutor groups, orienteering like this through the night encourages teamwork and communication and this unusual challenge (with the support of staff members) is a unique way to embolden even the boldest of BOLD girls.

WRAP AROUND CARE

At Burgess Hill Girls, meals, after school clubs and wrap-around care are all included, this is a big bonus as at other independent schools you might have to pay extra. There is a plethora of extra-curricular clubs available from chess to classics to cookery so whatever your daughter’s interest you’re bound to find it here somewhere. Clubs typically finish around 6pm, which is when wrap-around care finishes too.

Flexi, occasional, weekly and short stay boarding is available so whatever your accommodation needs you can find it here.

TRANSPORT

A fleet of striking, branded minibuses ship the girls in from all corners of Sussex and since it’s so close to the station, getting to Burgess Hill Girls is a cinch. Trains run daily and frequently from London.

ISI REPORT

‘Excellent in all areas’, the last ISI report was in February 2023. Read the reports here.

FEES

From Y7 the fees climb incrementally from £7,060 per term (£14,200 for full boarding and £11,620 for weekly) to £9,210 per term (£16,350 for full boarding and £13,350 for weekly) in Y13.

Academic, drama, art, sport and music scholarships are available, as well as the BOLD Award which is announced every December.

WORD ON THE GROUND

Burgess Hill Girls Senior School Sussex physics

The school has always been regarded as academically very sound, however its nurturing community is what stands it apart. The loyalty and longevity of the staff and frequent return of BOLD girls to work within its walls (we came across at least five former pupils working in roles from digital marketing to teaching) showcases the strong bond it forms.

It doesn’t feel like a destination school for the pushy parent, nor do the girls seem precocious or overprivileged; rather they seem to be aware of how fortunate they are to be where they are and thus imbibe a sense of infectious joy and enthusiasm.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

GOOD FOR: Ambitious, creative, spirited females. Burgess Hill Girls put a huge emphasis on preparing students for greatness. Their future impact on the world is embedded in their DNA from the beginning and these independent, well-rounded young women will certainly become future trailblazers.

NOT FOR: Wallflowers. That said, the ambitious programme at the school to empower each pupil with the confidence they need to thrive in the world will probably override any inherent shyness. Your daughter will be given the keys to inner confidence and the drive to go far beyond what she ever thought possible.

DARE TO DISAGREE: Parents can arrange a personalised visit anytime to see the school in action during term time.

Burgess Hill Girls School, Keymer Rd, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 0EG. Tel 01444 241050

Burgess Hill Girls, Senior School & Sixth Form, West Sussex

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