The Lower School

Childhood is precious and we want our pupils to enjoy it for as long as possible. In the Lower School, your child will experience life-changing learning, friendships, adventure and most importantly, have fun!   

We have taken great care to create a bespoke curriculum that provides the perfect transition to senior school. Your child will enjoy the very best of both worlds – the small, nurturing environment of the Lower School, alongside full use of world-class facilities and the specialist teachers of Brighton College. Every day is an exciting adventure for the children – their school within a school allows them the freedom to learn, explore, laugh, create and develop.

Your child will be stretched, nurtured and supported in a school that ensures our pupils become the best versions of themselves. We have a dedicated programme of mentoring that sees our older pupils buddy up with our younger ones – the bonds and friendships that develop through this connection are truly magical.

I would love to welcome you and your child to visit the Lower School so you can see for yourself what makes it so special. 

Dr Matt Bach
Head of Lower School 

 Matt Bach Head of Lower School portrait in the Quad

The Lower School is a wonderful entry point to Brighton College – a small, caring community where pupils are stretched academically, whilst having lots of time for activities outside the classroom and for play. Very much part of the wider College community, the Lower School has its own Head, Housemistress and form tutors. All of whom are dedicated to ensuring that every child is happy, fulfilled and appropriately challenged.

The Lower School has its own purpose-built Common Room in the stunning Skidelsky Building, where boys and girls can socialise, work and play. Pupils have plenty of space and time to rest and relax, as well as to catch up on study, play with friends or talk to their form teachers.

 

 Lower School pupils playing chess, chatting and reading books in the Lower School Common Room

Lower School pupils are taught by our world-class senior school teachers who are all specialists in their field.  These outstanding teachers use their in-depth knowledge and passion for their subject to help our pupils develop a life-long love of learning.

Inspirational teachers transform lives, and at Brighton College we have them in abundance. Ask any pupil what makes our school special, and one of the first things they will say is "our amazing teachers". Their passion, commitment and kindness explains why Brighton College is one of the highest performing schools in the world. 

 Lower School Teaching

Lessons in the Lower School are designed to excite and inspire our pupils. In addition to Maths, English and Science, pupils learn Mandarin, as well as French, German, Spanish or Russian. They also study Coding and IT, Design and Technology, Music, Art and Drama, with challenging and innovative curriculum designed by our amazing teachers.

This bespoke curriculum enables pupils to try lots of new and exciting things and develop the skills to unlock their unique passion and purpose. More broadly, we aim to foster a love of learning that stays with pupils throughout their lives. 

 Mandarin teacher showing a Lower School pupil something on a computer in a Mandarin lesson

Our unique Story of Our Land course has been developed to provide pupils with a real-world sense of our nation’s story, giving an appreciation of how history shapes the world today. The course guides pupils through a coherent narrative of the past through weaving together different disciplines.

Rather than approach the study of history, geography, philosophy and religious studies separately, we offer this holistic course. It encourages pupils to think about how the humanities relate to each other, come to a thorough understanding of Britain’s complex and contested history, and draw lessons that apply to today’s world.

 

 Pupils in their games kit walking through a field in the South Downs with the sea in the background
The Sunday Time white logo

With over 100 activities to choose from over ten designated activity slots each week, our Lower School pupils have the time and space to enrich their academic lives and pursue their interests outside the classroom.

 Pupils enjoying playing in a beach hut with a beach ball and a guitar

The best way to experience what life is like at Brighton College is to join us at an Open Morning, where you will have the chance to talk to pupils and teachers about what makes our school such a special place, and to answer any questions you have about life here.