Berkshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where">WHAT? WHERE?</h2>



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<p>Set in 500 acres of former country estate with incredible views across to the South Downs, Worth has historically flown under the radar a bit and was once known as Sussex’s best-kept secret. This could be down to the fact that it’s fairly young compared to some of the county’s other independent schools, having occupied its current site since the 1930s. Nonetheless the school has its own well-defined history and origins in a Benedictine community founded in 1606.</p>



<p>With some 660 pupils of all faiths and no faith on roll, a mix of day and boarders with a healthy international and predominantly European influx, it’s not the largest of Sussex’s senior schools but it’s without a doubt one of the smartest. Location-wise it’s an easy drive from Haywards Heath, East Grinstead and Gatwick airport. A long drive through landscaped grounds leads to an incredibly grand main building and a well-organised campus with a distinctly grown-up feel.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">FACILITIES</h2>



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<p>In a word, superb. Worth has achieved the elusive feat of retaining historic and traditional features whilst effortlessly blending in state-of-the art modern facilities. Perhaps nothing sums this up more perfectly than Worth Abbey itself, a highly unusual airy circular building dating back to the 1960s that feels as solemn and reverential as any historic cathedral. It can hold 900 so there’s space aplenty even during all-school events.</p>



<p>The main school building features plenty of wood panelling and soft carpeting, which adds more of a luxe than a stuffy feel, and includes stunning rooms such as the grand Cowdray Room for functions and events and the welcoming Barlow Room with an open fireplace and gorgeously squishy sofas, not to mention a killer view.</p>



<p>The campus itself is spacious and set on a hill – Worth pupils certainly get fit making their way around, not to mention making use of the acres of outside space and sports facilities. There are dedicated blocks for humanities and languages, science and the magnificent new Spencer Building, which features a library, auditorium and sixth form centre which on the day of Muddy’s visit also housed an art exhibition from International Baccalaureate pupils. Sixth formers also have their own café, the Pit Stop, where they can grab lunch if they don’t fancy wandering down to the large and impressive refectory.</p>



<p>The DT department is pretty shiny, having only opened in 2018, and the performing arts centre sits 250 and has the feel of a fully operational professional theatre. Academic facilities are outstanding, spacious and really thoughtfully designed.</p>



<p>Year 7 and 8 pupils have their own day house, Austin House, to ease the transition to senior school which creates a ‘prep school within a senior’ feel. The school says this more intimate start to senior school helps boost pupils’ confidence and encourages increased responsibility within a supportive environment.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SPORT</h2>



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<p>Worth certainly has the facilities to keep sporty kids happy, with absolutely acres of pitches and courts, a whopper of a sports hall, floodlit Astro and golf course. It’s a fitness endeavour in itself getting to and from some of the pitches. On top of the usual football, rugby, cricket, tennis, hockey, athletics and netball, Worth pupils play lacrosse, squash, golf, badminton, basketball and plenty more besides. There’s also an onsite fitness suite for those interested in strength and conditioning. Dedicated golf, cricket and football academies offer specialised programmes for high performance development.</p>



<p>There’s no onsite swimming pool and pupils swim at the Olympic sized pool at the nearby K2 centre.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CREATIVE ARTS</h2>



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<p>Whether it’s art, music or drama, creative kids have every chance to shine. Worth’s art school covers fine art, visual art, photography, textiles, DT, print and sculpture. Studios are light and airy and packed with inspiration, not least the fabulous work of pupils themselves.</p>



<p>Musical pupils can study instruments and join groups, choirs, orchestras and ensembles. The Abbey provides a wonderful venue for concerts and performances, and there are smaller rooms and settings for more intimate or chamber concerts. The main school choir is open to all without auditions – but commitment is expected in return. It’s not all choral though, there are fun open mic events regularly and house singing competitions as well as Musician of the Year. Rock concerts make use of the performing arts centre to bring the house down and there are practice rooms, a recording studio, and a dedicated rehearsal space.</p>



<p>Speaking of performing arts, drama is equally well catered-for. All pupils have the opportunity to take part in performances – including backstage work for those more interested in the behind-the-scenes aspects of drama. In-house theatre workshop Inspire gives pupils the chance to explore their passion for drama and take part in masterclasses.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ACADEMIC</h2>



<p>Sixth formers study A Levels or the International Baccalaureate. Last year 61% of pupils achieved A*-A or 6-7 at A Level and IB, and the IB average improved for the fifth year in a row to 37, compared to a global average of 33. Students go on to study at world-class, worldwide institutions including Oxford, Cambridge, St Andrews, UCL, Kings, LSE, Milan, I E Business School in Madrid and Maastricht in the Netherlands.</p>



<p>At GCSE, nearly one third of last year’s cohort achieved an average of 8 (A* for the old-fashioned) across all subjects.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">BOARDING</h2>



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<p>More than half the pupils at Worth are day students from Surrey, Sussex, Kent and London. Boarding is still popular though and the boarding houses at Worth are some of the best Muddy’s seen, smart dedicated buildings with their own spacious, cosy or downright cool common rooms and a distinct university hall of residence feel. Historically Worth has only taken full boarders, but more recently it’s introduced weekly and flexi options.</p>



<p>Girls and boys are in separate houses, with their own matrons and pastoral care teams as well as housemasters or mistresses. The houses feel full of fun and friendship, and pupils very obviously get along like a house on fire with one another and with their adoring matrons. Younger pupils share rooms and older students have their own single study bedsits. Weekends are packed with activities and enrichment – to which day pupils are also invited.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">QUIRKS</h2>



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<p>Worth has its roots in a Benedictine monastic community and shares its site with monks – although their day to day life is separate from the school. Although it’s Catholic, Worth welcomes pupils of all faiths and no faiths. One student Muddy spoke with praised the school for allowing them to explore and develop their faith, saying it had become a vitally important aspect of their life.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE HEAD</h2>



<p>Head Stuart McPherson joined Worth eight years ago after spells at prestigious English and international schools. Under his stewardship the school functions as a well-oiled machine with a palpable air of staff and pupils alike knowing their roles and thriving within them. He’s also raised the profile of the school, elevating it from its former status as Sussex’s best-kept secret. He’s confident in his mission of growing the school to its full capacity of 700 within the next couple of years and Muddy wouldn’t bet against him. He’s well aware that like many Sussex schools, Worth is attractive to London parents keen for their children to escape the hothouse day-school system and have a more holistic, pastoral but nonetheless academically excellent education.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">WORD ON THE GROUND</h2>



<p>Pupils spoke freely about the friendly family and community feel of the school, praising their peers and staff alike for helping them feel welcome and included and vocally appreciating the efforts the school makes to build friendships and cohesion between students.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">MOBILE PHONE POLICY</h2>



<p>Years 7 &amp; 8 have to hand their phones into the housemaster/mistress every morning and they get them back when they leave</p>



<p>Years 9-11 keep their phones on them but within locked pouches (unlocked by teachers at the end of the day).</p>



<p>Sixth formers are&nbsp;allowed phones but they must remain on silent and out of sight</p>



<p>Staff say this policy marks Worth out for its commitment to manners, respect and the value of meaningful real life relationships and it works – students feel freer and know one another better.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fees">FEES</h2>



<p>Juniors (years 7 and 8) are £6,605 a term. For the senior school (years 9 to 13) day pupils are £9,800 a term and boarders £14,390. Occasional boarding costs £85 a night.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">TRANSPORT</h2>



<p>A fleet of minibuses transports pupils to and from school covering Surrey, Sussex and Kent. London pupils are met at nearby Three Bridges station.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>THE MUDDY VERDICT&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p><strong>Good for:&nbsp;</strong>A strong international mix. Equal day and boarding. Those wanting an academically ambitious school with spiritual roots which aims to produce children who are kind, reflective and self-assured in a peaceful, grounded sense.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:&nbsp;</strong>Those committed to a wholly secular education might look elsewhere. The lack of onsite pool might discourage those wanting a dedicated swimming academy for their future Olympians.</p>



<p><strong>Dare to disagree?</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://worthschool.org.uk/visits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Book a visit</a>&nbsp;to the school – it doesn’t do group open days and instead meets all children and families individually.</p>



<p><em>Worth School, Paddockhurst Road, Turners Hill, West Sussex, RH10 4SD, 01342 710200, <a href="https://www.worthschool.org.uk/index.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">worthschool.org.uk</a></em></p>


Worth School, Turners Hill, Sussex

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