Opinions on Brighton College from those with kids there?

[Helpmeunderstandbrightoncollege]

Does anyone have a child either at or recently left Brighton College who might be able to help me understand what sort of school it is? Is it just an exam factory or are the children happy, well-rounded and leave ready to face the world? For context DC is currently in year 5 at a Brighton College feeder school. Current school think they have a good chance of passing the entrance assessments but I can't get my head around whether a school that puts so much emphasis on academic results is a healthy place. We've obviously been to open days but I'd love an honest opinion from someone with first-hand experience. Thank you.

Just came across this thread and wanted to add my thoughts. I have one child at Brighton College currently and one joining in September. I have been so impressed with the school. It's most definitely not a hothouse. My son has had so many opportunities to get involved in activities that he really loves that are nothing to do with exam grades. There is a huge amount of work with charities and the local community, which has really opened his eyes to the wider world and the emphasis on kindness to others is really lovely. 😀

This is my first post on MumsNet as I'm looking for a school for my daughter. I was so shocked to hear about legal threats to people who criticise Brighton College it's really put me off from applying. In general the views I've had from multiple parents who go to each of the main 3 private schools and my own visits are:

1. Brighton College. Clearly the best academic results but it's not clear how much of this is through the skills of the school or from selection of the child. Every parent I've spoken to says they politely encourage children who aren't predicted A's to leave or change/ drop subjects. Having said that the parents all still liked the school. The facilities are amazing, it's fairly central compared to Roedean, the students go on to a varied set of international unis and degrees (which may just reflect the relative affluence of parents), it's mixed and the head gives by far the best speech of all 3 heads (he concentrates on nonacademic parts of the school and is quite witty and confident). None the less these threats of legal action and the idea of asking people to leave are so ridiculous I don't think I'll apply for my DD (and this is despite her being academic, personable, fairly sporty and musical). I went to a highly academic school which always ranks as the top school in the part of the UK I grew up in and it was selective to a degree but I never heard of any children being pushed out for academic reasons. I also don't Iike how it seems to own/ be affiliated to other schools. This is a real shame as I thought it would be my top choice when we first started looking. 90 odd percent GCSE>= 7 grades is attractive still...

1. Roedean. Lots of space albeit a bit windswept. Outside of the buildings and swimming pool look dated. The most peripherally situated of the 3 so you really do need transport. The art department seems to churn out particularly impressive work and the maths department really are on the ball (eg very well structured syllabus, the head of maths was engaging, they adopt new tech that sounds like it would work). Having various bands playing 90s indie hits along the corridor during the open day made me smile (and was a nice difference to the usual classical/ West end numbers). It doesn't feel as elitist as BC (which is a bit strange as I always think of Roedean as being more famous pre 2000s at least). My DD was leaning towards this school of the 3 after open days initially. 75% for GCSEs

1. Brighton Girls. Very central/ seven dials type location. It had the fewest facilities eg no swimming pool/ playing fields (at least on site). The bald science teacher was very engaging and the careers guidance team seemed relatively clued up. Combing websites, it seems to have the worst reviews in regards to bullying but you never know if this is just one or two disgruntled but loud parents/ students skewing the reviews. Or having read about the threat of litigation that could explain the lack of posts about Brighton College! After school clubs are numerous and seem reasonably popular. It seems by far the least elitist of the 3 which appeals to my DD and partner. The GCSE 7s or above score does worry me at only 50%. However my DD has good friends already accepted to go there so it's become her top choice...

Personally I haven't heard of any bullying at any of the 3 schools and 1 child who went to one of them had left another school (not of the 3) for bullying.

I suspect they're all decent but it would be lovely to feel more confident in which would be the best for my DD.

@SurprisedParent Thank you. I have sons so Roedean/Brighton Girls not applicable for us.

My DD ended up at Brighton Girls and is finishing now. Brighton Girls is selective to a point, but not elitist in any way, so you inevitably going to have lower overall results. That said, the results are generally good and the teaching is engaged and the classes are small (particularly further up the school).

It's modern, offers a lot of opportunities and prides itself on being forward thinking - they are big on skateboarding, science, environmental stuff etc.

I can honestly say that I never came across any bullying. Our experience was very accepting. I suppose you will always get some
Issues and those are the ones that are written about. I think there is one particular parent who has written a lot about bullying some years ago which pops up on here every time the school is mentioned.

Personally, I wasn't too keen on the new head - she's definitely big business and had brought in some good stuff but won't waiver from her "vision". It was hard for the girls and parents who joined the school under the old head. Lots of changes to deal with.

All in all, I think if you want a happy kid at a local school, local friends (no boarding so all local girls unlike Roedean), forward thinking etc. then BG is good for you.

It's not the academic hothouse that you'd be paying for at Brighton College. They really do get the results but your face needs to fit. It's also twice the price!

I don't know much about Roedean, it's a lot more traditional and a fair few of the pupils are overseas girls. I do know that quite a few Roedean girls joined Brighton girls along the way so I suppose that says something.

Massive thanks Dalrympy for taking the time to post. BG seems likely to be the first choice and as I'm sure they'll accept her unless something major happens like a marked falling out with friends, I suspect she'll end up there. I just wish the grades and facilities were better, and it makes me worry.

OP in regards to boys school, the bit about BC is a fair summary of what I've heard (ie as long as your child is academic it's a good school). I could post about the other schools for boys nr Brighton if you want? If you want an academic school nr Brighton there really aren't any other options tbh. Even if you travel up to an hour every school is academically worse so I'd only choose one if your child isn't very academic. BC isn't massively sporty but it's facilities and coaching are still excellent. Hurst and Bede's obv have more space. LOGS or Shoreham are very accepting of nonacademic kids and pretty close by. Eastbourne is further and have nice facilities but I've heard some surprisingly negative things about them so I've never even formally visited and wouldn't consider them

Brighton College is an excellent school if finances are not a hindrance (up to 50 k a year with all the extras) AND your child is extremely academic and conforming. They do weed out those who are not expected to get all As, or have them take the exams as "independent applicants" (that is, not represent BC) which explains the success rate. The atmosphere is very corporate so definitely not a good fit for everyone.

Lancing College is within reach and offers generous bursaries for those who have attained scholarships. The amount of academic work is reasonable when compared to BC and the co-curricular options are amazing. They have a bus service to Brighton and lots of international students, so it's not as provincial and shut off as it might seem at first.

Christs Hospital is a school rarely mentioned in the mix, but it is academically selective and offers a real-world experience, as due to extremely generous bursary scheme it welcomes based on talent, not family finances. Living in Brighton, you would most likely have to board to attend, so it is not for everyone, but definitely worth visiting. The traditions and grounds are breath-taking.

Hurst also runs a bus service to Brighton and is academically good, although pales in comparison to BC and Christs Hospital. It is very sporty and has a nice community feel to it, so perfect for a more academically relaxed, active child.

They do weed out those who are not expected to get all As, or have them take the exams as "independent applicants" (that is, not represent BC) which explains the success rate

Yes I had heard rumours of both. This would put me off a school immediately.

The privacy policy regarding use of childrens photos is 'interesting'. I'm no expert but it appears to be very different from ico guidelines.

Lawyers threatening because you make a negative comment? My goodness they must be very insecure. A good, deep thinking school assesses all comments and looks to make changes or politely sugggest a misunderstanding. As an academic specialising in education I would look elsewhere or give them the opportunity to explain such an extreme reaction. State schools have to take all criticism that's thrown at them, justified or not. You can imagine that any complaint you may have as a parent would not be welcomed if they're so sensitive to criticism. No educational establishment should be able to hide behind lawyers or threaten anyone for voicing an opinion. If they encourage the children to be so outgoing and as broad-thinking as they claim from their embarrassingly self-promoting videos, then that's very contradictory. Kindness is their mantra which is excellent but maybe they need to look at the wider application of this so it kindly allows others to have an opinion.