BRIGHTON GIRLS
A family of big sisters and little sisters.
Kind. Bold. Resilient.
Welcome to Brighton Girls
As a founding school of the Girls’ Day School Trust, Brighton Girls has a significance in the history of girls’ education. The spirit of the early pioneers, whose names are remembered in our four Houses, Grey, Gurney, Lyttelton and Stanley, is as strong as it has ever been and, today, we occupy a unique position: we are an allthrough girls school in the heart of the city of Brighton.
Since its foundation in 1872, the GDST has been at the forefront of innovation in the education of girls. Students from GDST schools were among the first women to obtain university degrees and to enter the professions. This pioneering spirit continues to this day, with the GDST aiming to help girls make their mark on the world, in their own way, and on their own terms.
Our girls are kind, bold and resilient. Above all, we hope that they will develop the confidence and the character to go out and make a positive difference in the world, understanding that the real impact is delivered with kindness, courage and determination
Mel Shea Head of
Brighton Girls
As specialists in girls’ education, we provide a safe, friendly, supportive environment in which your daughter will follow her own path and become who she is meant to be, unfettered by stereotypes and unlimited by expectations
Located just five minutes from Brighton seafront provides us with a unique opportunity to run Beach School sessions for all of our pupils throughout the year This is supported through our partnerships with local organisations, such as the Sussex Dolphin Project. We believe in taking education beyond the confines of traditional classrooms, allowing the beach to become the backdrop for exploration, discovery, and endless learning possibilities.
In the early years, children develop their curiosity through creative play… Pupils are keen to learn.
We’re committed to providing all our students with the skills they will use to thrive in the modern world and a broad yet balanced curriculum suits individual interests Learning extends beyond the classroom with an exciting range of sports on offer, and a huge array of enrichment activities. Enrichment activities include: drama, art, boxing, eco, debating, coding, skateboarding and science, to name just a few We believe a happy girl is the best placed to achieve. Which is why our girls know they are fully supported at all times – by the whole school.
Year 7 is our main entry point into Senior School and there is usually a good split between girls transitioning from the Prep School and those joining from other local feeder schools. There are a small number of bursaries and scholarships available at this stage Please feel free to contact admissions for more details.
We empower girls to be bold in their thinking and brave in their choices Our students are intellectually curious, articulate their strengths, and embrace opportunities to step outside their comfort zones. They develop the confidence to explore their ideas, ask big questions, and follow their own path.
I E N T
47% of all GCSE grades were 9-7 | A*- A in 2025
In Year 7, students take lessons in Art, Drama, English, French or Spanish, Geography, History, Latin, Maths, Music, PE, Philosophy, Religion & Ethics, Science, Design & Innovation, Coding, Food & Nutrition, as well as PSHE in Personal Development lessons
Year 8 students follow the same programme but can opt for an extra language – doing both French and Spanish Science in Year 9 is taught in the three subject disciplines: Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Years 12 -13
Our Sixth Form is student-centred. Student ambition and potential is treasured and grown; indeed the Brighton Girls A Level classroom environment is designed to inspire and challenge every student. Small class size and brilliant teachers foster a supportive and enriching school day. The majority of students take three full A-Levels and an EPQ, and they can choose freely from the many subjects we offer The results are always impressive but it’s the smiles on results day which matter most to us.
Pupils are taught to celebrate difference.
The qualities of kindness, tolerance and respect permeate the school community.
Pupils enjoys a wide range of crosscurricular and recreational activities…
Pupils are encouraged to explore and acquire new interests, enthusiasms and self-confidence.
Subject leaders are knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects.
Wellbeing
Wellbeing at Brighton Girls is about selfknowledge, self-confidence, and agency In addition to a dedicated pastoral team, which comprises our Prep and Senior pastoral Deputy Heads, four Senior Heads of House, tutors, our Learning Support Department, a School Nurse and a Counsellor, we have two Wellbeing leads who work together to promote positive mental health and wellbeing across the school.
Alongside Wellbeing, we want to ensure students are World-ready. Personal Development is our weekly lesson covering Personal, Social, Health, and Economic education (PSHE), preparing for Digital Advancements and thinking ahead to future Careers. Students have portfolios that they build on and update over the course of their time at Brighton Girls. Topics covered on an annual cycle include:
Me, Myself and I
Me @ 25
My Life Online
My Body, My Choices
The World Around Me
Me and My Mind
Pupils’ physical and mental health
are important to staff.
Examination Results
Over the last two years, our students have faced extraordinary challenges As a school, we are incredibly proud of everything they achieved. Our most recent GCSE and A Level results are a testament to the determination and resilience of our students, and these results would not have been possible without the exceptional work of our academic staff and the support from our pastoral team In 2025, 29% of all A Level grades were A*/A. Recent education destinations included the University of Cambridge, King’s College London, and the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance. At GCSE, 47% were awarded grade 9/A-A*.
ISI Inspection March 2024
Brighton Girls was inspected by the Independent School Inspectorate in March 2024 This was the school’s first inspection under the new ISI Framework 23.
In these new-style inspections, schools do not receive overall judgements, but are assessed on the extent to which they meet the Standards in 5 areas: leadership, management and governance; Quality of education, training and recreation; Pupils’ physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing; Pupils’ social and economic education and contribution to society; and safeguarding
As a community, we have worked hard to ut student wellbeing at the heart of everything we do and to foster a culture of kindness It is a source of great pride to see these strengths highlighted in our report. Inspectors noted that “the qualities of kindness, tolerance and respect permeate the school community” and understood that, throughout the school, we “celebrate difference”.
Pupils learn how to treat people with kindness and respect.
Subject leaders are knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects.
Pupils readily take on roles such as Head Student, Sports Captains, Prefects and Charity and LGBTQ+ representatives.
Dr Rosemary Coogan
Class of 2009
The first British female European Space Agency career astronaut
The GDST has over 100k engaged alumnae.
Book a Visit
The very best way to decide if Brighton Girls is the best choice for your family is for you all to come and visit us – either virtually or in person. We offer a variety of opportunities for you to do this, both formally and informally, and we aim to make the whole process as simple and as stress-free as possible.
Weekly Wednesday Tours
We hold Weekly Wednesday tours for both the Prep and Senior School and Open Days twice a year. Visit our website to book a visit and find out more.
Bursaries and Scholarships
Both the Girls’ Day School Trust and Brighton Girls were founded by philanthropists committed to making outstanding education available to young women – a legacy we are proud to continue today We therefore offer a limited number of mean-tested bursaries to assist girls joining us in Year 7 and Year 12. In addition, a small number of scholarships are awarded to candidates who we believe will make a significant contribution to the life of the school We are looking for students who will inspire their peers and act as ambassadors both for Brighton Girls and the Girls’ Day School Trust.
Prep Admissions
prepadmissions@brightongirls gdst net
01273 280280
Senior Admissions
admissions@brightongirls.gdst.net
01273 280280
