Girls first: empower, encourage, engage
Roedean is a globally recognised all girls' senior school, renowned for its excellence in all-girls’ education. Located on the cliffs near Brighton, with breathtaking views of the English Channel, Roedean has been empowering young women since 1885. The school offers both boarding and day placements for girls aged 11–18, providing a world-class education that fosters both academic success and personal growth.
With a rich history and a forward-thinking approach, Roedean provides a transformative education that prepares students to excel in all areas of life. At Roedean, we believe that a single-sex environment encourages girls to reach their full potential, free from societal gender expectations. By fostering leadership, encouraging the pursuit of STEM subjects and promoting creativity, we enable our students to develop the confidence to challenge boundaries, express their voices, and become bold, self-assured individuals. Research has shown that girls in single-sex schools often have higher academic achievement and stronger self-esteem – both of which are hallmarks of a Roedean education.
Roedean is a place where girls are challenged to reach their full potential, supported by exceptional teaching and a community that values each individual. It is a school where students don’t just learn – they grow, lead, and inspire.
Academic excellence. At Roedean, academic excellence is at the heart of everything we do. We offer a challenging and stimulating curriculum designed to inspire intellectual curiosity and academic passion. Our small class sizes ensure that each student receives personalised attention from dedicated subject specialists, which allows girls to develop a deep understanding of their chosen subjects while receiving the support they need to thrive.
Our academic record is exceptional, with Roedean students securing places at leading universities, both in the UK and internationally. The school’s curriculum spans over a broad number of subjects, combining core disciplines with more modern options like Psychology, Russian, Philosophy and Politics. Additionally, the innovative Heads, Hands and Hearts (HHH) enrichment programme encourages students to embrace a broader vision of education, supporting their development in areas such as leadership, creativity and community service.
In 2024, Roedean students achieved outstanding GCSE results, with 36.2% of grades awarded at the highest grade 9, a 4% increase from the previous year. Furthermore, 79.1% of all GCSE grades were awarded at grades 9–7. Roedean’s Sixth Form Class of 2024 achieved remarkable A level results, with 24.4% of grades at A*, and 57.2% at A*–A. These results underscore the school’s commitment to academic rigour and excellence.
Co-curricular activities and Physical Education. Roedean offers an extensive co-curricular programme that enriches the educational experience beyond the classroom. With over 140 clubs and activities, there is something to suit every interest – from Dance Fitness and Life Drawing to Orchestra and Debating. The co-curricular offerings foster creativity, leadership and teamwork, ensuring that students enjoy a well-rounded education.
Sport at Roedean is inclusive, catering to everyone, from elite athletes to those just starting out. The school offers 14 different sports options including hockey, netball, cricket, tennis, swimming and athletics, and has weekly fixtures in a range of sports. Roedean also boasts an impressive 350-seat professional theatre that hosts three major drama / performing arts productions annually, as well as numerous opportunities for students to participate in music recitals and gala events as well as dance showcases. This year, saw the introduction of the first-student led musical, Alice by Heart, and in February, a cast of 80 students will perform the classical The Sound of Music.
The newly introduced Roedean Diploma brings together all the school’s curricular and co-curricular offerings into one comprehensive programme. The diploma encourages students to engage in a broad range of activities, promoting not only academic success but also personal development in leadership, self-discipline, creativity, and social responsibility. For example, Year 7 students are inspired to connect with the natural world through the ‘Wild Fridays’ programme, which provides a unique educational experience outside the traditional classroom setting.
Boarding experience. Roedean’s boarding experience is exceptional, offering a supportive and enriching home-away-from-home environment. With options for full, weekly and flexi-boarding, students enjoy the flexibility to suit their individual needs while benefitting from the strong sense of community and independence that boarding life fosters.
The six beautifully decorated boarding houses provide a welcoming atmosphere, with each house offering a balance of privacy and shared spaces. Junior boarders in Years 7–9 typically share rooms, while older students enjoy their own private rooms. Common areas within the houses give students the opportunity to relax and connect with friends after a busy day of academic work and co-curricular activities.
Weekends at Roedean are filled with a variety of exciting activities, including shopping trips, go-karting, movie nights, baking sessions, and even trips to London. The boarding staff ensure that students feel supported and cared for, allowing them to develop both academically and personally in a warm, inclusive environment.
Wellbeing and pastoral care. Roedean places a high priority on the wellbeing of its students, ensuring that every girl is supported emotionally, socially and academically. The school provides a nurturing environment where students can thrive and grow in confidence.
The dedicated pastoral care team, including Heads of Year, Tutors, Pastoral Managers, Assistant Heads, House Staff, works closely with students to ensure that their needs are met, both in school and the boarding houses, offering guidance and support throughout their time at the school. The health centre is staffed by a qualified nurse, and regular clinics by a visiting doctor, along with access to counselling services, further support students' physical and emotional wellbeing.
Diversity and global community. Roedean is a truly international school, welcoming students from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. The diversity within the school enriches the educational experience, promoting global awareness, cultural understanding and mutual respect among students. Roedean girls leave the school as confident, globally minded citizens, prepared to succeed in an interconnected world.
Facilities. The school’s stunning 40-acre campus offers excellent facilities that cater to a variety of interests and talents. These include a Chapel, an all-weather pitch, 13 tennis and netball courts, an indoor swimming pool, a 350-seat professional theatre, two cricket pitches, football and athletics fields, as well as dedicated art, dance, and design technology studios. The school’s newly renovated library and classroom spaces and the bespoke Sixth Form Centre provide an environment that promotes independent learning and academic collaboration.
Admissions and scholarships. Roedean offers a wide range of scholarship opportunities, including scholarships in the fields of academic, art, dance, drama, music, performing arts, and sport for students entering Year 7, Year 9 and the Sixth Form. Scholarships for the Sixth Form are assessed in November, while Year 7 and Year 9 scholarship assessments take place in January. Means-tested bursaries are also available for eligible families entering Years 7, 9 and the Sixth Form.
In addition, Roedean offers an Early Entrance Programme (EEP) for 11+ and 13+ entry, enabling students to secure their places in Year 5 and Year 6 respectively, reducing the pressure of last-minute applications and giving students more time to transition into school life.
Fees per term 2024-2025. The fees for the 2024–2025 academic year (inclusive of VAT) are as follows:
Full Boarders: £16,125–£19,350; Weekly Boarders (5 days): £14,725–£16,420; Flexi-Boarders (3 days): £11,975–£14,480; Day Girls: £8,100–£10,585. An additional fee of £2,105 per term applies for Sixth Form Full Boarders joining from abroad. Extra charges are applied for individual tuition in music lessons, EAL, dance, and individual sports coaching. For more details on the school’s fee structure, please visit the Fees page on the website. Charitable status. Roedean School is a registered charity (no. 307063), dedicated to providing an outstanding education for girls.
Governors & Staff:
Chair of Council: Mr Anthony Millard, BSc Econ, PGCE
Vice-Chair of Council: Ms Delva Patman, FRICS, ACIArb
Members:
Mrs Franciska Bayliss, BEd Froebel, FRSA
Mr John Cain, FCA
Miss Victoria Jenkins, MA, PGCE, MEd [OR]
Ms Samantha J Louis, SAOR
Ms Camilla Macpherson, MA Oxon, FCIArb [OR]
Ms Karoline Molberg, BA Hons [OR]
Ms Natalie O’Connell, BSc Hons, PGDip
Mrs Teresa Outhwaite, BA, PGDip [OR]
Mrs Gaelle Sullivan, PGCE, PGDip (SEND), Med
Mrs Vivien Smiley, BA, MA DiplPR [OR]
Ms Althea Wolfe, BA Hons
President of the Corporation:Ms Mary Henderson [OR]
Vice-President of the Corporation:Mrs Virginia Stephen [OR)]
Staff:
Head: Niamh Green
Director of Strategy and Innovation: John Hobbs
Director of Finance and Administration: Richard Poffley
Deputy Head - Pastoral: Rachel Hart
Deputy Head - Co-curriculum and Partnerships: Ross Barrand
Deputy Head - Academic: Edith Earl
Assistant Head - Futures: Helen Boobis
Assistant Head - Academic: Sarah Black
Assistant Head - Pastoral: Kate Orrells
Assistant Head - Pastoral: Nathan Wriglesworth
Director of Operations: Naomi Eglington
Director of Sixth Form: Carmel Carragher
Director of Marketing and Admissions: Alison Wienekus
Heads of Department:
Art: Head of Art Pathways – Mrs Sarah Strachan
Business: Head of Business Studies – Mr Stjohn Rowlands
Classics: Head of Classics – Mrs Charlotte Allen
Dance: Head of Dance – Miss Sophie Abaza
Design and Technology: Head of DT – Mrs Helen Quirk
Drama: Director of Drama – Ms Susan Woodbridge
Economics: Head of Economics – Mr Paul Clingan
English: Faculty Lead – Mr Darren Woodhouse
Geography: Head of Geography – Mr Guy Carter
Government and Politics: Head of Government & Politics – Mr Josh Marchant
History: Head of History – Ms Gabi Benton-Stace
I.C.T: Lead Teacher – Miss Kerry Griffiths
Mathematics: Joint Heads of Maths – Mr Andy Lutwyche/Mrs Jo Hopper
Modern Languages:
Faculty Lead: MFL/Head of French Mr Julien Sampieri
Head of Spanish – Miss Ibanez Barcelo
Lead Teacher: German – Miss Beate Stiller
Music: Director of Music – Mr Benjamin Rous
Natural Science:
Faculty Lead, Science/Head of Physics – Mrs Lauren Bond
Head of Chemistry – Mrs Paula Barker
Head of Biology – Dr Chloe Turner
Physical Education: Director of Sport – Miss Kate Wakeling/Miss Emily Kirby-Jones [Maternity Cover]
Psychology: Head of Psychology – Mr Phillip Harrison
Religious Education: Head of Religion and Philosophy – Mr Steven Megahey