10 Mar 2026

Glowing ISI Report Confirms Excellence at Burgess Hill Girls

The recent Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) report paints a positive picture of Burgess Hill Girls. A school where academic ambition and student wellbeing, come together to create something exceptional.

A School Led with Vision and Heart

• Governors and leaders were praised for their effective oversight, clear strategic direction, and unwavering commitment to pupil wellbeing. Inspectors recognised that leadership decisions are consistently aligned with the school’s ethos and values, ensuring students remain at the centre of everything the school does.

A Broad, Balanced, and Inspiring Curriculum

• The curriculum was celebrated as wide-ranging, well‑designed, and forward‑looking with opportunities that prepare students exceptionally well for their futures. The co‑curricular programme is described as well-resourced, extensive, and enriching, supporting pupils of all ages to develop their interests, talents and confidence.
• Teachers were commended for knowing pupils well, using strong subject knowledge, and employing high‑quality resources and varied strategies to help pupils make strong progress. Learning environments were noted as calm, purposeful and well‑organised, enabling pupils to thrive.

Excellent Outcomes and Aspirational Futures

• Inspectors highlighted that students learn and achieve well across the school, including strong outcomes in GCSEs and A-levels. Impressively, the vast majority of pupils secure places at their first-choice universities, a testament to the sustained academic support and guidance they receive.

A Community of Respect, Inclusion and Belonging

• Pupils were praised for being responsible, respectful and kind, and for embracing the diverse community around them. Behaviour is described as good, bullying is rare, and the school successfully fosters a culture where every pupil is valued and encouraged to contribute positively.
• The school’s work to promote self-confidence and self-esteem, through assemblies, co-curricular opportunities and thoughtful personal development programmes, was a standout strength.

Exceptional Support for Wellbeing

• The report highlighted the excellent mental, emotional and physical support available to pupils. From inclusive PE and targeted coaching to a thoughtful PSHE programme, pupils are equipped with the self-awareness, resilience and life skills they need to flourish.
• Boarding provision was described as safe, warm and well‑managed, with high‑quality facilities and staff who know boarders well.

Outstanding Early Years Foundations

• Early Years provision was celebrated for offering purposeful, well‑planned programmes that promote early communication, physical development, and social skills. Children were observed to be confident and well-prepared for the next stage of their education.

Preparing Pupils to Play a Positive Role in Society

• The school’s commitment to social responsibility shone through. Initiatives celebrating identity, diversity and community involvement were highlighted as meaningful, enriching and impactful. Pupils gain an informed understanding of society and demonstrate empathy, curiosity and respect.

A Report the Whole School Community Can Be Proud Of

• The ISI found that all relevant Standards were met in every category, reflecting a school that is consistently strong across leadership, teaching, wellbeing, enrichment, safeguarding, and its contribution to pupils’ societal understanding.
• This report affirms Burgess Hill Girls as a vibrant, aspirational, and compassionate school, one where pupils are known, nurtured and empowered to become confident, capable young people ready to step into the world with enthusiasm and purpose.

The full ISI report can be found on the school's website

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06 Mar 2026

A Wellbeing Boost for Local Carers

This week, Burgess Hill Girls welcomed carers from across the local community to a special Carers’ Day, run in partnership with Burgess Hill Town Council and local support agencies. The annual event offers carers a chance to relax, recharge, and connect with others, while celebrating the vital role they play in the community.

Guests were invited to enjoy a wide range of wellbeing experiences including yoga sessions, therapeutic massages, and professional hair and makeup treatments. Carers also took part in hands‑on creative activities such as craft workshops and flower‑arranging, generously supported by Roseanne Florists, which proved to be one of the many highlights of the day.

A key feature of the event was the involvement of the school’s Year 9 pupils, who acted as hosts—welcoming guests, providing refreshments, and offering entertainment, singing for the audience. Their warmth and enthusiasm created a welcoming environment that carers praised highly.

The event brought together several local organisations who were on hand to offer support, advice, and resources, including: House of Colour, Carers Health Team, Prevention Assessment Team, WSCC Young Carers, Carers Support West Sussex.

Representatives from these agencies provided information stands, wellbeing advice, and practical guidance, strengthening the collaborative spirit between the school, the council, and local community partners.

Heather Cavanagh, Head of Burgess Hill Girls said, “Carers give so much of themselves every day, and Carers’ Day is our way of saying thank you. We are proud to work with the Town Council and our community partners to create a space that recognises and supports the incredible contribution that unpaid carers make. Importantly for me the event also gave our students a valuable opportunity to practice real‑world teamwork and communication skills, building confidence as they worked together to host, support and entertain our guests."

Jennifer O'Grady, Head of Community Engagement for Burgess Hill Town Council commented, “We are always delighted to work alongside the school to deliver this uplifting event. It is a wonderful example of what community partnership can achieve.”

The school extends its thanks to everyone involved in helping to make the event such a success.

ENDS

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13 Feb 2026

Burgess Hill Girls buzzing after the Success of Its Production of Come From Away

The audience left each of the four sell out performances acknowledging what that had seen, with standing ovations and rapturous applause for the talented young cast.

The school became the first in Sussex to stage a production of the internationally acclaimed musical, and the achievement was recognised with a Certificate of Nomination for Best Musical from the National School Theatre Awards 2026.

Head, Heather Cavanagh, said:

“I am so very proud of the whole cast and crew; their dedication, professionalism and enthusiasm shone through every performance from the stage to the lighting, the music and the front‑of‑house crew. This production left every member of the audience enthralled, which was a wonderful thing to witness. I’d like to congratulate everyone involved in a show worthy of the many accolades the show team has already received.”

The musical tells the remarkable true story of how the small town of Gander, Newfoundland welcomed nearly 7,000 stranded passengers when 38 planes were unexpectedly diverted there following the 9/11 attacks.

Emma Cassim, Director of the show and Director of Drama at the school who celebrated her 40th production at Burgess Hill Girls reflected on bringing the musical to life:

“Even in the darkest moments, kindness and community can prevail. Come From Away reminded us of the extraordinary capacity for empathy that exists in all of us; something this remarkable group of students embodied throughout the entire run. This production demanded total focus, unity and trust, and the cast rose to the challenge with energy, precision and extraordinary generosity.”

She highlighted the show’s ensemble‑driven nature, intricate harmonies, and the collaborative storytelling that relied on each performer contributing at every moment.

She also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the creative team:

“My sincere thanks to our wonderful Musical Director, David Black, our Production Designer and Manager, Dan Pook‑Barnes, and our Choreographer, Bethany Gavin; working with her had been a 15‑year dream in the making.”

PRESS RELEASE ENDS

About Burgess Hill Girls

Burgess Hill Girls is an independent school with a longstanding tradition of producing ambitious, high‑quality theatrical performances.

The Drama Department emphasises creativity, courage and collaboration; values embodied in this year’s musical.

About Come From Away

Conceived from interviews conducted in Gander on the 10th anniversary of 9/11, Come From Away opened on Broadway in 2017, running until 2022 with 1,669 performances, and triumphed in London with 1,048 performances at the Phoenix Theatre, winning multiple Olivier Awards including Best New Musical.

Licensing Note

Amateur and school performance rights are licensed by Music Theatre International (MTI).

FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES CONTACT:

Anne Pithie, Director of Marketing, Burgess Hill Girls

E: [email protected]

T: 01444 241050

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