MixedIndependentBoarding

Eastbourne College

Eastbourne, East Sussex, South East · BN21 4JX

A coastal independent in Eastbourne, East Sussex, this Church of England school takes boarders and day pupils alike from age 13 to 18, with roughly 600 on roll. Half of the school's 600 pupils are sixth-formers, giving it a notably senior, academic centre of gravity. The Independent Schools Inspectorate awarded its most recent inspection top marks, rating both education quality and pupils' personal development as excellent and confirming that all compliance standards were met. Under Headmaster Tom Lawson, it offers a settled, traditional environment with strong pastoral foundations.

600

Pupils

excellent

ISI

£36,679

Day fees / yr

Free month · No card needed · Cancel anytime

Overview & data

Gender
Mixed
Type
independent (fee-paying) school
Age range
13-18
Pupils
600
Location
Eastbourne, East Sussex, South East
Website
https://www.eastbourne-college.co.uk/
Telephone
01323 452300

Headteacher

Headmaster Tom Lawson

Want your child to win a place at Eastbourne College?

Passmate builds a personalised practice plan from your target schools' exact 11+ topics - so every session moves your child closer to a place.

  • Practice matched to Eastbourne College's 11+ format
  • See precisely where your child stands, topic by topic
  • A profile of how they think - not just scores
Try Passmate for free →

Free month · No card needed

Latest results

GCSE grade 9-7

52%

A-level A*-A

74%

Teaching & academics

Results are solid and steady: 74% of A-level entries reached A*-A, while 52% of GCSE grades fell in the 9-7 range. The sixth form leans towards essay and analytical subjects, with Economics, Mathematics, Business Studies, History, Government and Politics, and Physics among the popular choices, and the EPQ available alongside A-levels for those wanting to stretch independently. A broad modern languages offering spans French, Spanish, German, Russian and Chinese. With more than a quarter of pupils on SEN support, the College also clearly invests in helping a wide range of learners.

Sixth form

Sixth-form pupils
300

Popular A-level subjects

EconomicsMathematicsBusiness StudiesHistoryGovernment and PoliticsPhysics

Qualifications offered

GCSEA-levelEPQ

Learning support & SEN

SEN support
28.62%
EHC plans
0%

Arts & extracurricular

Scholarships

ArtMusicDramaSport

Languages

FrenchSpanishGermanRussianChinese

Popular GCSE subjects

English LanguagePhysicsChemistryBiologyMathematics

Sport

Main sports

CricketRugby

Beyond the classroom

Sport is a visible strength, with cricket and rugby at the heart of the programme. Scholarships in Art, Music, Drama and Sport signal where the school encourages talent beyond the classroom.

Ethos & heritage

Religious character
C of E
Boarding
Yes

Money matters

Day fees (per year)
£35,978 - £36,679
Boarding fees (per year)
£54,805 - £55,660

In order to access bursary support, a pupil must also have a scholarship.

Inspection reports

ISI rating
excellent
ISI personal development
excellent
Last inspected
12 November 2024
Read the full inspection report ↗

The last word

A well-regarded all-through-to-eighteen school for families drawn to boarding or day life on the Sussex coast, with a large, academically focused sixth form. Note that bursary help is tied to holding a scholarship.

The Passmate verdict

Have you considered?

Eastbourne College 11+: frequently asked questions

Where is Eastbourne College located?

Eastbourne College is located at Old Wish Road, Eastbourne, Eastbourne, BN21 4JX.

What type of school is Eastbourne College?

Eastbourne College is an independent (fee-paying) school in South East.

How many pupils attend Eastbourne College?

Eastbourne College has approximately 600 pupils on roll.

What is Eastbourne College's inspection rating?

Eastbourne College is inspected by the ISI and was judged "excellent" at its inspection on 12 November 2024.

Compiled from public data. Last checked June 2026.