List of Independent Schools in West Sussex

There are a range of independent schools in West Sussex covering mixed schools, schools for boys and schools for girls.

Below you’ll find a list of those private schools that we have included which have entry into year 7 (11 Plus entry).

West Sussex Independent Schools accepting entry into year seven

Burgess Hill Girls – Burgess Hill – West Sussex

Burgess Hill Girls is an all girls private school.

Burgess Hill Girls- 524 pupils.

“Burgess Hill Girls is an “Excellent” rated Independent School. They have a fantastic location in the heart of Sussex, only a few minutes walk from Burgess Hill station with regular trains to London and Brighton. Burgess Hill Girls is a down-to-earth, friendly school with a modern approach. They really get to know the girls, helping them quickly develop confidence and discover their individual talents so they can reach their full potential. The girls consistently over-achieve in their GCSE results and the school is a Top 100 Independent school for A Level results.”

School Website: www.burgesshillgirls.com

Exam Format – School’s own and Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4). This typically includes the following:

• English
• Maths
• Verbal, Non-Verbal, Spatial and Quantitative Reasoning (CAT4)

Christ’s Hospital School – Horsham – West Sussex

Christ’s Hospital School is a mixed private school.

Christ’s Hospital School- 861 pupils.

“Christ’s Hospital is in many ways unique, offering an independent education of the highest calibre to children with academic potential, from all walks of life in a caring, boarding and day environment. Pupils’ fees are assessed according to family income, so that it is a child’s ability and potential to benefit from a Christ’s Hospital education that determines their selection. This results in a social and cultural diversity that enriches the school community.”

School Website: www.christs-hospital.org.uk

Exam Format – School’s own and Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4). This typically includes the following:

• English
• Maths
• Verbal, Non-Verbal, Spatial and Quantitative Reasoning (CAT4)

Hurstpierpoint College – Hurstpierpoint – West Sussex

Hurstpierpoint College is a mixed private school.

Hurstpierpoint College- 773 pupils.

“Founded in 1849 by Nathaniel Woodard, the College occupies a 140 acre campus just north of the South Downs. Over half of the Senior School pupils are boarders. Hurst’s aim is to be the first choice, co-ed, medium-sized, weekly/flexi boarding and day school for parents living within a 50 minutes drive, who seek a genuinely excellent all-round education with a strong academic core for their child.”

School Website: www.hppc.co.uk

Exam Format – School’s own. This will typically include the following:

• Verbal Reasoning
• Non-Verbal Reasoning
• English Writing

Our Lady of Sion School – Worthing – West Sussex

Our Lady of Sion School is a mixed private school.

Our Lady of Sion School- 426 pupils.

“Our Lady of Sion is a town centre coeducational School, founded in 1862, taking boys and girls from nursery through to sixth form. They offer a complete wrap-around education in a caring family community, and aim to help young people to reach their highest potential. GCSE and A-Level results are consistently good; the majority of students go on to higher education at their first choice universities.”

School Website: www.sionschool.org.uk

Exam Format – Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4). This test is online and includes the following:

• Verbal, Non-Verbal, Spatial and Quantitative Reasoning

Seaford College – East Lavington – West Sussex

Seaford College is a mixed private school.

Seaford College- 731 pupils.

“Seaford College aims to provide a distinctive and inclusive educational experience in which individual pupils are known, have the opportunity to discover themselves, are valued for their particular contribution, and are prepared for life. On leaving the College, each pupil will be a confident, articulate, well-rounded young person.”

School Website: www.seaford.org

Exam Format – Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4). This is an online test which includes:

• Verbal, Non-Verbal, Spatial and Quantitative Reasoning

Worth School – Crawley – West Sussex

Worth School is a mixed private school

Worth School – 640 pupils

“At worth we provide first-rate education, and the many achievements of our pupils demonstrate that fact. But we do not just provide an education. We offer education with heart and soul.”

School Website: www.worthschool.org.uk

Exam Format: Online assessment split into three parts. Part 1 covers:

• Maths, English, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning

Part 2 covers:

• Puzzles and Problem-Solving, Creative Comprehension

Part 3 covers:

• Typed Creative Writing

Preparing for entry into an Independent School

We have developed a section on how to prepare for Independent school exams and how to prepare for Independent School interviews so do please feel free to use these resources if you would like to.

If you are thinking of trying for an Independent School scholarship or bursary then please see our information page on that topic.

Equally, many independent schools publish past papers and we have past papers and sample papers which are useful for preparation in all the core areas:

Free sample 11 Plus English practice and past papers

Free sample 11 Plus Maths practice and past papers

Free sample 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning practice and past papers

Free sample 11 Plus Non-Verbal Reasoning practice and past papers