Families considering the best UK secondary school and sixth form options for their daughters would do well to include Roedean School in their shortlist.
When it comes to providing an exceptional education, Roedean scores highly across many school guides. Plus, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) awarded Roedean “Excellent” in all categories in its latest report, an achievement the School has now maintained for five years running.
Here, we’ll share a complete Roedean School review, including essential information about fees, location, and its reputation as a leading UK girls’ school.
What Is Roedean School?
Roedean School is one of the UK’s top independent day and boarding schools for girls aged 11 to 18 — and the most popular in Sussex. Founded in 1885 by the Lawrence sisters, the School’s aim is “to nurture the girls’ talents, to spark their curiosity, to develop their skills, and to let their imagination run riot.”
Roedean continues its founders’ ethos, providing girls with an excellent and “thorough physical, intellectual, and moral education.” Within a safe and supportive community and with access to the best possible facilities, girls pursue academic and personal excellence.
Beyond the classroom, students engage in a broad programme of co-curricular activities. With a choice of 14 sports, every girl can engage in and enjoy an active lifestyle. There are also plenty of outlets for creativity and self-expression, from music and dance recitals to large-scale drama productions in the School’s newly refurbished theatre.
Students at Roedean hail from 40 countries, and girls learn to appreciate the diversity of cultures represented at the School. This strong sense of community extends outside Roedean’s walls into partnerships with local schools and charities, where students engage in volunteering opportunities.
A Roedean education empowers girls to discover their unique strengths and passions while learning the value of hard work, compassion, and self-belief. As a result, students leave Roedean School as confident, curious, and happy individuals who are ready to make a difference in society.
Where Is Roedean School?
Roedean School boasts a unique location that captures the vibrancy of a seaside city and the tranquillity of the British coast.
Just 10 minutes from Brighton (The Sunday Times’ best seaside city 2022), girls can enjoy the city’s culture and buzz while soaking in the sense of calm from the School’s clifftop site. Views of natural beauty over the English Channel and the South Downs National Park inspire and invigorate in equal measure.
Roedean’s 45-acre campus, which includes a farm, lies alongside an additional 75 acres of land. There are plenty of facilities, space, and fresh air for girls to explore their interests, embark on challenging adventures, and be themselves.
The School is near local transport routes, with proximity to Brighton railway station and Heathrow and Gatwick airports. A modern minibus fleet and a chaperoned service to London Victoria mean that travel to and from Roedean School is convenient and safe.
How Much Does Roedean School Cost?
Roedean School’s termly day and boarding fees for the 2022-23 academic year are:
- Day fees begin at £6,290 per term (Year 7) and run up to £8,220 per term (Years 10 to 13).
- Flexi boarding fees begin at £9,040 per term (Year 7) and run up to £10,930 per term (Years 10 to 13).
- Weekly boarding fees begin at £11,120 per term (Year 7) and run up to £12,400 per term (Years 10 to 13).
- Full boarding fees begin at £12,180 per term (Year 7) and run up to £14,745 per term (Years 10 to 13).
All fees include textbooks and stationery for students up to GCSE level.
In addition, one-year GCSE and pre-A Level programmes cost £14,745. The Language Pathway Course requires a further fee of £1,045 per term, and an additional £1,585 per term applies to boarders who directly enter Sixth Form.
There are also separate tuition fees for girls who take extra subjects and activities.
What Is Roedean School’s Reputation?
You can find positive Roedean School reviews in Tatler Schools Guide, The Good Schools Guide, and on the Muddy Stilettos website, each of which highlights Roedean’s reputation for offering a prestigious and modern education to girls.
One Roedean School review shares how a parent felt her daughter “transformed” during her time at Roedean — “she joined the physics club just for fun.”
Academic Ethos
In 2022, Roedean came 29th in the Times league table thanks to record A Level results (71% of A Level grades were A* to A and 30.5% were A*). The impressive academic results didn’t stop there — 85% of GCSEs received grades 9 to 7 (the equivalent of A* to A).
While passing exams is important, Roedean recognises that a more holistic approach to education is necessary for girls to flourish in the modern world. Through dynamic teaching that nurtures independence, confidence, and academic curiosity, Roedean’s specialist teachers encourage students to think critically and creatively.
Sixth Form
Life at Roedean Sixth Form offers a rewarding and challenging two-year experience for girls. Whether studying or exploring beyond the academic, sixth formers have plenty of opportunities to hone their skills and knowledge and test out new responsibilities during their final years at school.
To complement their bespoke curriculum (there are 23 A Level subjects to choose from), girls can engage with a range of electives, lectures, and visits. There is also a wealth of co-curricular activities and opportunities for inspiring positive change through the community action programme. Not to mention time for socialising and having fun.
A Roedean education provides a great foundation for further studies (often at top universities), careers, and life in general. Amidst a warm, supportive environment, Roedean sixth formers grow into confident, passionate, and socially aware young women who are ready for the next stages of their educational journeys.
Families who have read the impressive Roedean School reviews can see the School’s offerings for themselves by visiting and meeting the teachers and girls. Roedean offers open days and individual virtual and in-person tours.
