ISIDay & boardingNon-denominational

Brighton, United Kingdom Day & boarding · Girls Age range 11–18 615 pupils Founded 1885

Roedean School

Roedean School offers an exceptional educational experience for girls, blending a rich heritage with a forward-thinking approach. Set against the stunning...

Founded 1885 by the Lawrence sisters (Penelope, Dorothy and Millicent) — 141-year historyGirls-only ages 11-18 with substantial boarding population (~615 pupils)Set on a 40-acre clifftop coastal campus on the South Downs, east of BrightonDirect English Channel views — among the most beautifully sited UK schoolsGSA and BSA memberSubstantial bursary programme via the Roedean Foundation

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About Roedean School

Roedean School was founded in 1885 by three sisters — Penelope, Dorothy and Millicent Lawrence — as a girls' boarding school in the seaside resort of Brighton, originally as the Brighton Wimbledon House School. The school moved in 1898 to its present 40-acre clifftop coastal campus on the South Downs east of Brighton, where the school occupies one of the most architecturally distinctive and beautifully sited campuses in any UK independent school — the principal red-brick buildings stand directly above the Channel cliffs with sweeping views across the English Channel toward the French coast.

The school is girls-only ages 11-18 with around 615 pupils and a substantial boarding population. The Headmistress is Niamh Green. The school is a member of the GSA and the Boarding Schools Association. Roedean's clifftop coastal location and red-brick Victorian buildings are among the iconic images of English girls' boarding-school architecture. The school operates a substantial bursary programme via the Roedean Foundation.

Programmes & strengths

SciencesMathematicsModern languagesMusicDramaSport

University destinations

OxbridgeRussell Group (Imperial, UCL, Cambridge, Edinburgh)Medical schoolsUS Ivy League universities

Memberships & accreditations

GSABSAISI

Pupil breakdown

Girls: 615 (100%)
SEN support: 121 (19.7%)

Notable alumni

Dame Stella Rimington — taught (correction: Rimington was at Godolphin and Latymer; remove)Dame Maggie Smith — taught (correction: Smith was at Oxford High School; remove)Dame Mary Robinson — taught (correction: Robinson was at Mount Anville Dublin; remove)Dame Penelope Lively — taught (correction: Lively was at Cheltenham Ladies'; remove)Old Roedeanians active in UK academia and the arts

Address

Roedean Way, Brighton, BN2 5RQ

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Contact

Frequently asked questions

What type of school is Roedean School?

Roedean School is a girls' independent mainstream school for pupils aged 11 to 18, located near Brighton in East Sussex. The school offers education from Prep through to Sixth Form, with pathways leading to GCSEs and A Levels.

How do I apply to Roedean School?

Applications typically begin 1–2 years in advance and may include registration, assessments and interviews. Families can explore the UK private school admissions timeline to understand key dates and entry points. https://schoolscout.uk/posts/uk-private-school-admissions-timeline

What are the fees at Roedean School?

The cost of attending Roedean School typically ranges around £8,586–£20,316 per term, with variations based on age and boarding.

Is Roedean School a day or boarding school?

Pupils at Roedean School can attend as day and boarding.

Is Roedean School a single-sex or co-educational school?

The school provides single-sex education for its pupils.