Eastbourne College
School summary
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.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Latest results
GCSE grade 9-7
52%
National average 23%
A-level A*-A
74%
National average 28%
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 12 November 2024
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.
Languages
Popular GCSE subjects
Headmaster · Tom Lawson
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 300
Popular A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
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.
Main sports
School life & ethos
- Religious character
- C of E
- Boarding
- Yes
- SEN support
- 28.62%
- EHC plans
- 0%
Fees & bursaries
- 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.
Schools nearby
St Andrew's Prep
Eastbourne, South East
Bede's Preparatory School
Eastbourne, South East
Anderida Learning Centre
Eastbourne, South East
Bede's Senior School
Nr Hailsham, South East
Headstart
Battle, South East
Bexhill Independent Special School
Bexhill-on-Sea, South East
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
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.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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Eastbourne College 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.