SGS Prospectus 2023-2024

Thank you for your interest in Steyning Grammar School (SGS). Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make. SGS is a vibrant and exciting Church of England day and boarding school, split across three campuses, focused on supporting the learning and development of every one of our students.

Family values and outstanding relationships underpin all that we do. We are part of the Bohunt Education Trust (BET) - a high achieving, supportive and dynamic learning community whose ethos is encapsulated by three simple words: enjoy, respect and achieve.

Our success is based on an approach which combines the highest expectations with a sensitivity to learners’ individual needs, concentrates on maintaining the very best standards of learning and teaching, and takes every opportunity to recognise and reward achievement.

We believe passionately that every student should flourish and that all students can achieve their highest ambitions if they believe in themselves, put in purposeful hard work and get the best teaching and support possible.

Equality and Diversity:

In line with the school’s Equality Policy, this prospectus is available in a number of formats. For more details please contact the School Office.

John 10:10

Having celebrated the 400th anniversary of the foundation of SGS in 2014, our core Christian values of kindness, care and acceptance are as valid today as ever, and we remain forward looking, to prepare students for their futures, whatever they might be. First-rate learning has taken place at our school for centuries; we have a proud history, built on integrity, excellence and academic results.

We value Academic Progress along with Co-curricular opportunities and successes equally. Our focus on the Learning Characteristics of curiosity, zest, grit, growth mindset, gratitude, self control with learning and self control with others collectively allows students to flourish, achieve their highest ambitions and become ‘game-changers’.

Our unique school combines the benefits of an 11-18 comprehensive education, smaller KS3 schools within the school, our Boarding provision and guiding Church of England ethos. The most recent inspection of the main school took place in March 2017 and we were rated as a ‘good school with outstanding features’.

We encourage you to judge us for yourselves. We couldn’t be prouder of the achievements of our students and the dedication of our staff, and invite you to come and see these at our Open Events, or on a personal visit.

Adam Whitehead - Headteacher

“To live life in all its fullness and flourish as God intended.”

400 Years of Excellence

Steyning Grammar School has a long and successful history and is much loved and respected within its community. It has given a high standard of education and much happiness to the many thousands of students who have passed through it and we look forward to welcoming you into the ‘Steyning Family’.

At Steyning, our aim is to treat everyone with respect and consideration, and we therefore consider applications from all members of the community regardless of ethnic/national origin, religion and belief, culture, learning difficulty and/ or disability, gender, transgender, or socio-economic background.

“Teachers have high expectations and make good use of their subject and assessment knowledge to design stimulating lessons.” Ofsted 2017

Flourish at Steyning Grammar School

Our aim is that every students flourishes at Steyning Grammar School. We want to help every child find their talent. We are proud of the fact that our examination results identify us as a very successful school. Good results will open doors that would otherwise remain closed for our students. We have a comprehensive and successful programme in place that ensures all of our students are well prepared for their examinations. However, we also recognise that for children to grow up and be happy and successful adults we need learning to be wider than just about the academic.

Steyning Grammar is a leading school in the delivery of ‘Character Education’ - the development of positive character strengths in children that will help them to flourish at school and beyond into adulthood. In school we particularly emphasise development of the learning characteristics of:

KINDNESS KINDNESS

KINDNESS KINDNESS

KINDNESS KINDNESS

KINDNESS KINDNESS

“Staff, pupils and parents report that pupils feel safe and well looked after at Steyning Grammar School.” Ofsted 2017

“Thank you for helping us to guide and develop the little girl that came to SGS five years ago, into the young woman she is today. Engaging, tolerant, caring, determined and self-thinking: all qualities that SGS promote.” Year 11 Parent

A Supportive, Safe and Caring Environment

Notwithstanding our size, our ethos is underpinned by the ‘Steyning Family’, where everyone matters and is given the same chance of success. Our students are polite, well behaved and keen to learn. We have two KS3 campuses, Rock Road and Towers, which provide a nurturing platform before moving on to our KS4 and KS5 campus at Shooting Field.

Whilst we encourage students to become independent learners, we also provide support and guidance to ensure each student is encouraged to reach their full potential. Every student has a Form Tutor and they are encouraged to participate in the life of the Tutor Group and in the school as a whole. Heads of Year liaise closely with the Form Tutors, monitoring academic progress of students, whilst pastoral support is provided by non-teaching staff. This ensures that every student is encouraged to achieve with challenge and support.

A Broad and Balanced Curriculum

At Steyning Grammar School our key school development priority is effective learning in every classroom. Through the delivery of a broad and balanced curriculum, students have the opportunity to pursue a variety of qualifications that will enable them to succeed in life. We believe that students should enjoy their time at school - we want your child to be confident, comfortable and challenged both during lessons and during co-curricular activities.

Digital technology is one tool of many that teachers and students use across the School to help ensure that world-class learning takes place. Since Easter 2021 we have moved to students having 1 to 1 devices, this has supported and had a very positive impact on students learning. Please see our website for how this initiative works and the benefits it brings.

“Parents recognise and value the well-rounded education that the school provides.”

Ofsted 2017

Creativity

We offer all of the students at Steyning Grammar opportunities to develop interests and skills which will continue to enrich their lives long after they leave school. The Creative, Performing and Design subjects build independence, confidence, problem solving and creativity as well as grit and growth mindset. All valuable, transferable skills for the future whatever path the students choose to take.

We celebrate the creative progress and development of young artists, designers and performers. Arts events allow us to celebrate student progress and achievement including the annual summer exhibition, the KS3 drama performance and KS4 exam performances, the school production, regular music performances and concerts. Extra-curricular opportunities are extensive and include life drawing, extra art workshops, music lessons and clubs, Canto Celeste, technology and drama clubs. The buzz of engagement, large numbers and creativity in these extra sessions is a real joy and of great benefit to the students.

“Parents, pupils and sixth formers are rightly proud of Steyning Grammar School and all that it achieves.”

SportSport and physical activity is an important aspect to life at Steyning Grammar School. We are fortunate to have outstanding facilities on site including extensive fields, AstroTurf, hard courts, sports hall, gymnasium, dance studio, swimming pool, fitness suite and a dedicated PE classroom for theory teaching.

Every year, Steyning Grammar School competes in numerous local, regional and national competitions with considerable success. There is an extensive programme of co-curricular sports and physical activity clubs.

“We could recommend no better place for our young man to develop in.” Year 11 Parent

“A school that does what it says on the tin.” Year 8 Parent

Outside the Classroom

Beyond the classroom, many departments organise visits and residential trips which provide experiences that the students can draw on throughout their lives. In addition to foreign exchange visits there are other residential trips to destinations such as The Ardèche, Orlando, CERN and St Lucia. There is also the opportunity for students to complete their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze, Silver and Gold level.

“I’ve had three very different children go through SGS and each has been able to find their own niche and thrive. Thank you for all your hard work and for going the extra mile.” Year 11 Parent

Full and Weekly Boarding

Our Ofsted Outstanding boarding offers 124 students a safe and homely environment to develop independence, build life-long friendships and enable every student to be the best they can be. A high level of personal and pastoral care is provided for each and every individual boarder. There are four houses, (two for boys, one for girls and one mixed Sixth Form house) all offering exceptional facilities for study and recreation.

“SGS Boarding has done so much to help shape the character of my daughter in so many ways, and we are sure that its impact will continue to serve her in many years to come.”

Year 11 Parent

Steyning Grammar

Shooting Field Campus

Shooting Field, Steyning, West Sussex. BN44 3RX

Tel: 01903 814555

Email: sgs@sgs.uk.net

Towers Campus

Henfield Road, Upper Beeding, West Sussex. BN44 3TF

Tel: 01903 814786

Rock Road Campus

Rock Road, Storrington, West Sussex. RH20 3AA

Tel: 01903 744884

SGS Boarding

Church Street, Steyning, West Sussex. BN44 3LB

Tel: 01903 817601

Email: sgsboarding@sgs.uk.net

Enjoy Respect Achieve