Westbourne House School
Coach Road, Shopwyke, Chichester, PO20 2BH
Pupils
385
Ages
2 - 13
Gender
Co-educational
Type
Primary
Head Teacher
Mr Martin Barker
Boarding / Day
Day, Weekly/Flexible Boarding and Full Boarding
Fees
£1,495 to £6,915
ISC Associations
IAPS, AGBIS, ISBA
Religion
Church of England
Bursaries
Available
About Westbourne House School
Westbourne House School, located in Chichester, is a co-educational primary school that offers a nurturing environment for children aged two to 13. With a Church of England ethos, the school is known for its inclusive and supportive atmosphere, welcoming children from all faiths. The school prides itself on being non-selective, allowing prospective pupils to experience a taster day before joining.
The school has a strong reputation for preparing students for a range of senior schools, with Hurstpierpoint, Seaford, and Brighton College being the most popular choices in 2023. Other destinations include Canford, Sherborne Girls, Oundle, Wellington, Charterhouse, and Bedales. A small number of students transition to local state schools at age 11. In 2023, the school awarded 23 scholarships, highlighting its commitment to academic excellence.
One of the school’s most poignant traditions is the annual Remembrance Day ceremony, where a lone trumpeter performs The Last Post from the flat roof above the school’s elegant main building. This tribute reflects the school’s military roots, as the site was once an RAF officers’ mess during the Battle of Britain. The grand hall, adorned with photographs of soldiers from that era, adds to the school’s rich historical tapestry.
The main house forms the core of the school, featuring newly refurbished classrooms and a junior boarding house. Purpose-built blocks for art, science, music, drama, and boarding houses are scattered across the expansive estate. The abundance of outdoor space, including sports pitches and play areas, encourages an active lifestyle. The school’s emphasis on sports is evident, with activities like football, rugby, and netball thriving even in cold weather. The school’s ethos of being outdoorsy and sporty is reflected in the confident yet kind demeanor of its pupils.
The school’s connection to the Scout movement is evident in its troop leaders and eco-council, who serve as tour guides for visitors. These students exude confidence, politeness, and a genuine enthusiasm for their school. They speak highly of the support they receive, particularly in subjects they find challenging, and express a strong sense of community and friendship.
The school’s facilities are impressive, with the Millennium Hall serving as a hub for music and drama. The hall houses a state-of-the-art orchestra and choir space, complemented by private practice rooms. The school’s theatre hosts weekly assemblies and guest speakers, adding to the vibrant cultural life. Each year group performs an annual play, with recent productions like Matilda and Hairspray receiving rave reviews from parents.
The music department is another highlight, offering high-profile concerts and an inter-house music competition that encourages participation from all students. The chapel choir’s tour to Rome is a testament to the department’s excellence.
Parents praise the high-quality teaching and the school’s commitment to pushing scholars to achieve their best. The High Performance Learning (HPL) curriculum is embedded across the school, fostering skills like resilience, self-reflection, and critical thinking. The school’s approach to individual needs (IN) provision receives mixed reviews, with some parents praising the support their children receive, while others feel there is room for improvement.
The school’s sports programme is robust, with a strong local reputation for excellence on the field. Niche pursuits like fencing, karate, and kayaking offer alternatives for those less inclined towards traditional sports. The school’s indoor swimming pool, located on a historically significant site, is a popular facility.
In 2023, the school unveiled a new library, transforming the historic billiards room into a vibrant space with inviting reading nooks and an influx of new books. While some parents and children wish for more ICT lessons, the school’s ICT suite and robotics classes are well-received.
Boarding at the school is modern and comfortable, with flexible options available. The boarding houses are well-equipped, and activities like walks on West Wittering beach and Go Ape outings are popular among boarders.
Overall, Westbourne House School offers a well-rounded education, balancing academic rigour with a rich array of extra-curricular activities. The school’s emphasis on kindness, confidence, and community makes it a compelling choice for families in the Chichester area.
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ISI Review
Westbourne House School is an independent co-educational day and boarding school located in West Sussex, England. Established in 1907, the school has a rich history, having moved from Folkestone to its current location in 1947. It caters to children aged two and a half to thirteen, with a pre-preparatory section for younger pupils and a preparatory section for older students. The school accommodates boarders in seven small houses situated around the school grounds, fostering a close-knit community. The board of governors oversees the governance of the school, ensuring that it meets its educational objectives.
The school aims to stimulate and encourage children to reach their full potential across mind, body, and spirit through a broad and varied curriculum. It emphasizes equal opportunities, a balanced curriculum, a caring and disciplined environment, and a wide range of sports and activities. Additionally, the school seeks to develop pupils' social and cultural education, as well as their moral and spiritual values.
Pupils at Westbourne House come from diverse backgrounds, primarily within a 15-mile radius of the school. The school’s ability profile is above average, as indicated by national standardized tests. A significant number of pupils receive support for special educational needs and disabilities, with a focus on reading and spelling. The school also accommodates pupils who speak English as an additional language, providing necessary support to ensure their success.
The recent focused compliance and educational quality inspection conducted by the Independent Schools Inspectorate confirmed that Westbourne House School meets all regulatory standards. The inspection assessed various aspects of the school, including the quality of education, spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development, welfare, health and safety, staff suitability, premises, information provision, complaints handling, and leadership quality.
The quality of education provided at Westbourne House is commendable. The school’s framework for assessment indicates that teaching enables pupils to make good progress. The curriculum is well-documented and supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, ensuring that pupils receive a comprehensive education. The school also provides a suitable program of activities for boarders, promoting their overall development.
Pupils receive relationships education in the junior school and relationships and sex education in the senior school, in accordance with statutory guidance. The school has consulted parents and published a written policy on this matter, demonstrating its commitment to transparency and community involvement.
The spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of pupils is actively promoted. The school fosters an environment where pupils can express their views and concerns, encouraging good relationships based on mutual trust and respect. The principles and values upheld by the school help cultivate responsible and law-abiding citizens.
Welfare, health, and safety measures are robust, with arrangements in place to safeguard pupils and promote their well-being. The school meets health and safety requirements, including fire safety, and provides adequate supervision and first aid provisions. An appropriate induction process for new boarders ensures that they are well-supported in their transition to boarding life.
The school conducts thorough checks to ensure the suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors, maintaining a register as required. Visitors to boarding accommodation are appropriately supervised, and the school’s guardianship arrangements are effectively managed.
The premises and accommodation at Westbourne House are well-maintained, providing suitable facilities for pupils’ needs. Adequate toilet, changing, and showering facilities are available, along with appropriate accommodation for medical and therapy needs. The school ensures that outdoor spaces are provided for physical education and play.
Information provision is comprehensive, with a range of details published for parents, inspectors, and the Department for Education. This includes information about the school’s ethos, curriculum, admission arrangements, behavior policies, and the complaints procedure. The safeguarding policy is readily accessible on the school’s website.
Complaints are handled effectively through a structured three-stage process, ensuring that parental concerns are addressed in a timely manner. Records of complaints and actions taken are maintained appropriately, demonstrating the school’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
Leadership and management at Westbourne House are characterized by good skills and knowledge, ensuring that the school meets its responsibilities effectively. The leadership team actively promotes the well-being of pupils and maintains the required policies and records.
The educational quality inspection highlighted the excellent academic achievements of pupils. They display enthusiasm for learning and demonstrate strong communication skills from an early age. The curriculum is broad and challenging, enabling pupils to achieve high standards, particularly at the point of transfer to secondary schools. Many pupils receive scholarships and awards for their achievements.
Pupils’ personal development is also excellent. They exhibit strong decision-making skills and contribute positively to the school community. The school encourages a healthy lifestyle, and pupils demonstrate an understanding of the importance of physical and mental well-being. They engage in various extracurricular activities, showcasing their talents in sports, music, drama, and art.
Overall, Westbourne House School provides a nurturing and stimulating environment where pupils can thrive academically and personally. The school’s commitment to high standards of education, welfare, and personal development is evident in the positive experiences of its pupils. The supportive community fosters a sense of belonging, encouraging pupils to develop into confident, responsible individuals who are well-prepared for their future endeavors.
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Last Updated: 8 October 2024