Sussex

<p>In around 1953 I won a choral scholarship to the Cathedral Choir under Horace Arthur Hawkins the Director of Music. Incidentally he was a pupil of Charles Marie Widor, the great French organist, whose Toccata from the fifth symphony has  proved so popular. The Poulenc Organ Concerto was played for the first time in this country with HAH at the Grand Organ. Unfortunately and due to family decisions I was never sent there much to the dismay of HAH, who recognised my potential. Nevertheless I received a good musical education ending up studying with the legendary Pierre Cocherau at Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, gaining first prize for Organ Improvisation while at the Royal Academy of Music. What an absolutely wonderful school the Prebendal is.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/1C89CE9F-7EC6-4ECB-BDEC-F5BC69461D4D.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-63996" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/1C89CE9F-7EC6-4ECB-BDEC-F5BC69461D4D.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/1C89CE9F-7EC6-4ECB-BDEC-F5BC69461D4D-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/1C89CE9F-7EC6-4ECB-BDEC-F5BC69461D4D-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/1C89CE9F-7EC6-4ECB-BDEC-F5BC69461D4D-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where"><strong>WHAT? WHERE?</strong></h2>



<p>Just next door to the historic and imposing Chichester Cathedral and within easy walking distance of the main shopping area of the city sits Prebendal, denoted by its red doors within an understated street frontage. The oldest school in Sussex, like the cathedral Prebendal dates back to the 11<sup>th</sup> century and was re-founded in 1497.</p>



<p>Occupying a surprisingly spacious site, it has plentiful outdoor facilities for a city-centre school, makes use of the cathedral on a regular basis, and has a charming blend of historic and modern buildings which feel cosy, nurturing and studious.</p>



<p>Class sizes are deliberately small and packed full of individual attention. Although nonselective, there’s no shortage of opportunities or talent, particularly in music, and there’s an impressive list of scholarship awards on wooden boards inside reception and dotted through corridors. The sound of piano practice floats through the school and the vibe is calm and purposeful, but undeniably playful.</p>



<p>In 2021, the school was purchased by the Alpha Schools Group, one of the largest operators of independent schools in the UK. This acquisition, together with a new headship, is helping the school forge forwards.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">FACILITIES</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="798" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/87A4A8CD-16BD-426B-8470-8964C3B77B77.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-63997" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/87A4A8CD-16BD-426B-8470-8964C3B77B77.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/87A4A8CD-16BD-426B-8470-8964C3B77B77-800x638.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/87A4A8CD-16BD-426B-8470-8964C3B77B77-768x613.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/87A4A8CD-16BD-426B-8470-8964C3B77B77-658x525.jpeg 658w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The overall feel of the school is smart, quirky and characterful and functional, and facilities are a mix of the historic and modern but there’s nothing overtly flashy. The main building, a charming 13<sup>th</sup> Century school house, is something of a rabbit warren incorporating spacious and well-lit art studios packed with colourful materials and equipment and with work of a stunning quality on display on the walls. A huge science lab holds desks for academic work and a child-level surface for practical and experiments. There’s also a computer room, a lovely dining hall with wooden benches, a small library space (the school makes use of Chichester’s public library) and upstairs, cosy classrooms for prep students and a study area that looks like it should be the headteacher’s office, but is in fact used as a friendly learning space. Behind the main building lies a spacious playground complete with outdoor classroom, garden for growing and adventure play equipment all encased by a beautiful old wall. The school has its own access to the next door Bishop’s Palace Gardens, which are beautifully landscaped, meditative and big enough for a decent adventure.</p>



<p>Nursery and pre-prep are housed in a purpose-built wing that’s sympathetically designed to be in keeping with the rest of the site and has its own free-flow outdoor space. A vibrant space with an open feel, it’s full of stimulating activities and plenty of loose parts for play, along with the obligatory IKEA play kitchen, cosy corners and colourful dinosaurs that embody and demonstrate the school’s values.</p>



<p>Elsewhere, there’s a compact and versatile performing arts and dance space, and the delightful beamed former kitchen of the Bishop’s Palace has been converted into a drama and music practice block. The cathedral, which functions as the school hall and hosts concerts, assemblies and events, is accessed through a private entrance in the tranquil Memorial Garden, which features a sculpture commemorating the WW1 centenary.</p>



<p>Prebendal is an official Beach School and younger pupils go to nearby West Wittering beach once a week for cross-curricular learning projects.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SPORT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="764" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/B2CBCFFD-5279-4BBD-995C-1A5B6693297F.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-63998" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/B2CBCFFD-5279-4BBD-995C-1A5B6693297F.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/B2CBCFFD-5279-4BBD-995C-1A5B6693297F-800x611.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/B2CBCFFD-5279-4BBD-995C-1A5B6693297F-768x587.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/B2CBCFFD-5279-4BBD-995C-1A5B6693297F-687x525.jpeg 687w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>At Prebendal, sport is for all. The school’s nine-acre playing fields are a short walk away and are used for rugby, football and cricket, and handed over to the local community at weekends. Just opposite is the Westgate Leisure Centre where pupils use the heated indoor pool for swimming lessons. Prebendal has a strong record for sport, with plenty of pupils winning sports-related scholarships to destination schools. There are regular tournaments, house competitions and external fixtures in rugby, football, cricket, hockey, netball, cross-country and athletics, and the PE curriculum covers gymnastics, basketball, ultimate frisbee and plenty more, including a sports leaders programme for year 8’s.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CREATIVE ARTS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="702" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/BDB98DB9-98F0-4AAA-9A4E-E45CF18E1177.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-63999" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/BDB98DB9-98F0-4AAA-9A4E-E45CF18E1177.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/BDB98DB9-98F0-4AAA-9A4E-E45CF18E1177-800x562.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/BDB98DB9-98F0-4AAA-9A4E-E45CF18E1177-768x539.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/BDB98DB9-98F0-4AAA-9A4E-E45CF18E1177-748x525.jpeg 748w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Creative types will thrive here, with plenty of opportunities to perform and a host of options of instruments to study (which 95% of pupils do), choirs and ensembles to join, and LAMDA exams to work through. Drama is co-ordinated by Luke Osborne, who has links to nearby Chichester Festival Theatre. Music is a particular strength, and the school has a centuries-long tradition of supplying Chichester Cathedral’s choristers – who receive a discount on fees. Historically the opportunity has been for boys only, but in December 2021, the cathedral announced it would be recruiting girl choristers to sing alongside their male counterparts on equal terms from September 2022. It’s a serious commitment, as the choir sings almost daily, choristers need to board, and they still have to follow the normal school curriculum, but the opportunities are incredible and choristers take part in concerts, broadcasts and even go on tour. For those who don’t make the chosen few, there are still termly concerts and more regular informal performances, an inter house music festival, a house singing competition and an annual choral day.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-academic">ACADEMIC</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/D5826888-E756-4664-A464-74A8EDA06290.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-64000" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/D5826888-E756-4664-A464-74A8EDA06290.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/D5826888-E756-4664-A464-74A8EDA06290-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/D5826888-E756-4664-A464-74A8EDA06290-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/D5826888-E756-4664-A464-74A8EDA06290-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Academically non-selective, Prebendal focuses on bringing out the best in each individual child and instilling a true love of learning. The latest – glowing &#8211; ISI report notes that the pupils’ academic and non-academic achievements are outstanding. Pupils study towards Common Entrance and also work on the Pre-Senior Baccalaureate (PSB), and the Quadrivium programme for academic excellence for years 6 to 8 supports and encourages pupils who want to push the boundaries of their knowledge, critical thinking and philosophy. Leavers go on to local colleges including Lancing, Brighton and Eastbourne, as well as to further-afield and prestige destinations (Eton and Harrow feature), often on scholarships.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-boarding">BOARDING</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="691" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/9BF777E9-517A-406E-8F9F-29172CD086E4.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-64001" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/9BF777E9-517A-406E-8F9F-29172CD086E4.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/9BF777E9-517A-406E-8F9F-29172CD086E4-800x553.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/9BF777E9-517A-406E-8F9F-29172CD086E4-768x531.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/9BF777E9-517A-406E-8F9F-29172CD086E4-760x525.jpeg 760w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Prebendal offers weekly and flexi boarding as well as capacity for international boarders, so pupils can stay anything from one to seven nights a week. The dorms are without a doubt the most charming and truly Harry Potter Muddy’s come across in her travels, especially the main dorm which has a vaulted ceiling and old wood panels scratched with the names of past pupils. Boarders have a cosy common room at their disposal, featuring squishy sofas perfect for movie nights, and a new games room with snooker table, consoles and air hockey table, offering an additional space for those charging about the school building in the evenings. There are plenty of after-school clubs and activities on offer, along with trips and regular social events.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-head">THE HEAD</h2>



<p>At the time of Muddy’s visit, Alison Napier had just had her appointment as head confirmed, after a period as interim head following the departure of Louise Salmond Smith. Previously, Ms Napier was head of pre-prep. She’s excited about the challenges ahead of her and brings a breath of fresh air to a school so historic it lists its first ever headmaster, all the way back in the 11<sup>th</sup> Century, simply as ‘John’. Palpably passionate about nurturing a love of learning in her pupils, she still welcomes pupils she taught in pre-prep to a friendly and cosy study for morning reading. She bubbles over with enthusiasm as she talks about the ethos of Prebendal, the individual attention pupils receive, and the critical thinking applied to pedagogy and learning approaches. She’s already set about making changes, giving over an old English classroom to boarders and kitting it out as a games room, which might seem a simple act but it demonstrates a willingness to listen to pupils, and a forward-thinking approach that embraces what’s relevant to children, including having fun. She also demonstrates a strong commitment to holistic learning and pupil wellbeing. She confesses she managed just a year working in state education, during which she found the constraints of the National Curriculum suffocating. At Prebendal, she has the freedom to focus on the whole child, not just exam results.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quirks">QUIRKS</h2>



<p>It’s no exaggeration to state that practically every classroom at Prebendal has a piano. Muddy’s never seen so many of them. The school is alive with the sound of music.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-word-on-the-ground">WORD ON THE GROUND</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/E_uAohLXoAAtNUY.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-64002" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/E_uAohLXoAAtNUY.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/E_uAohLXoAAtNUY-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/E_uAohLXoAAtNUY-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/04/E_uAohLXoAAtNUY-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Pupils love the family feel, the supportive and nurturing staff, and the friendly atmosphere. The food gets a thumbs up too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mobile-phone-policy">MOBILE PHONE POLICY</h2>



<p>Phones are handed in to the office. Boarders have restricted use of their phones.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">TRANSPORT</h2>



<p>The school supplies transport links to London, Gatwick and Heathrow with staff as escorts.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fees">FEES</h2>



<p>A day session at nursery is £60 (half days are also available, along with breakfast and after-school club). There are fee options for five morning sessions (£225), five full day sessions (£300) and five afternoon sessions (£125) and these are reduced with the early years funding allocation. For pre-prep, fees start at £3,010 a term in reception and rise to £3,490 for years 1 and 2. Prep fees are £5,200 for years 3 and 4 and £5,610 for years 5-8. Full boarders pay £8,060 per term, and for weekly boarders, add £1,665 per term to the standard prep fees. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>THE MUDDY VERDICT</strong></h2>



<p><strong>Good for: </strong>Families who want a nurturing school in a city centre location, musical types, and kids who’ll get involved with a bit of everything.</p>



<p><strong>Not for: </strong>Children who thrive in bigger, high-pressured school environments, or those seeking a rural idyll.</p>



<p><strong>Dare to disagree?</strong> <a href="https://www.prebendalschool.org.uk/1510/open-days" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Book a visit</a> &#8211; every day&#8217;s an open day!</p>



<p><em>The Prebendal School, 52 &#8211; 55, West Street, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1RT. 01243 772220, office@prebendalschool.org.uk</em></p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.prebendalschool.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">prebendalschool.org.uk</a></em></p>


The Prebendal School, Chichester

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