20 Apr 2026

St Andrew’s Prep Launches a New Award of 30% Fee Discount for Reception 2026

St Andrew’s Prep is proud to announce the launch of its Early Androvian Award (EAA) for children joining Reception in September 2026. The Award has been made possible with the help of an external donor who recognises both the impact VAT has had on affordability and the lasting value of an independent education.

The EAA provides a 30% reduction in school fees each year from Reception through to the end of Year 2, offering access to the School’s leading Pre-Prep provision at the crucial stage of early development.

Small classes sit at the heart of the Early Years ethos at St Andrew’s Prep. In Reception, children learn in intentionally small, nurturing classes with a qualified teacher and dedicated assistants, ensuring meaningful individual attention and personalised learning from the very beginning. This approach to knowing children well underpins the school’s wider reputation for excellence. St Andrew’s Prep is consistently recognised for its standards and has recently been listed in Talk Education’s Top 250 Prep Schools in the UK for the fourth consecutive year. In its 2024 inspection, the Independent Schools Inspectorate also highlighted pupil wellbeing as a Significant Strength.

The EAA is open to any family with a child joining Reception in September 2026.

Benefits for families starting their child in Reception in September 2026 include:

• 30% fee reduction from Reception through to the end of Year 2, saving families around £14,000 (including VAT) based on the School’s 2025–26 Schedule of Fees.

• Specialist-taught lessons including weekly swimming, dance and sports, plus access to superb facilities including a sports hall, library, IT suite, DT room and Art and Dance studios.

• Enriched learning experiences beyond the classroom, from woodland exploration to a diverse co-curricular programme.

• Access to a broad range of after-school clubs and wraparound care, helping to support busy family schedules.

“We are delighted to introduce the Early Androvian Award, widening access to a St Andrew’s Prep education for families who might not otherwise consider it possible,” says Headmaster Tom Gregory. “Through the Award, children will grow in confidence and curiosity within a nurturing environment that encourages a true love of learning, something we know will shape them well beyond their time with us.”

Parents wishing to find out more about the EAA should contact Catherina Ashford, Registrar, who will guide families through the next steps by phone or in person. She can be reached on 01323 733203 or [email protected].

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06 Feb 2026

St Andrew’s Prep in Top 250 schools as ECi Charity Welcomes New Catering Partner

The list celebrates schools that excel in academic outcomes, facilities and pupil destinations, as well as those harder to measure, including reputation, word of mouth and the everyday pupil experience. The list is compiled by Talk Education’s network of research experts, informers and education specialists who track school quality across the country.

This national recognition adds to the school’s growing list of accolades and follows the 2024 Independent Schools Inspectorate report, which saw St Andrew’s meet ISI’s exacting standards* and identified a Significant Strength in physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Together, these achievements reinforce the school’s position as a leading independent education provider in Eastbourne.

Headmaster Tom Gregory commented: “We’re delighted with the news. It reflects the hard work of our staff, the energy and talent of our pupils, and the consistent support of our families. As we approach our 150-year anniversary, it’s wonderful to see our offering continue to go from strength to strength. Small class sizes, an excellent pupil-to-teacher ratio and our nursery to Year 8 provision all on one site provide a formidable option for families considering independent education in Eastbourne. It’s rewarding to see both the ISI and Talk Education recognise the overall strength of our School where pastoral care runs right through daily life.”

In further developments across the Eastbourne College Incorporated, St Andrew’s Prep and Eastbourne College have jointly awarded a new ten-year catering contract to Lodestone House. Their distinctive Garden to Kitchen to Classroom approach helps pupils meaningfully connect with concepts of food, nutrition and sustainability, reflecting the Charity’s emphasis on holistic education.

Noelle Jones, Managing Director at Lodestone House said: “We’re really looking forward to becoming part of life at St Andrew’s Prep and Eastbourne College. For us, great school catering isn’t just about what’s served on the plate; it’s about creating spaces and moments that connect the garden, the kitchen and the classroom. Whether that’s using seasonal produce to spark curiosity about food, supporting busy school days with nourishing meals, or giving pupils a place to pause and enjoy time together, our aim is to be a positive, everyday presence in the College community. We’re proud to be starting this partnership and excited to build something special alongside the team at Eastbourne.”

This new partnership further strengthens alignment between the schools which already includes the Bridge Curriculum that provides a smooth academic transition from St Andrew’s Prep to Eastbourne College and its shared inspiring staff and premier facilities. Collectively, these initiatives reinforce the Charity’s unique through school pathway, offering a continuous education provision from nine months to 18 years - all within a single town setting.

*Since the introduction of ISI’s new inspection framework in September 2023, their reports no longer use qualitative descriptors in relation to their findings. Instead, the report confirms whether or not ISI’s exacting standards are met and provides commentary on their findings. St Andrew’s Prep met all standards in this inspection.

Ends

Notes to Editors

St Andrew’s Prep is a leading independent day, flexi and boarding school for boys and girls aged nine months to 13 years in Eastbourne. Known for its strong foundations, broad co-curricular programme and pastoral care that has been singled out by ISI inspectors as a Significant Strength, the School sits between the sea and the South Downs. Its ethos encourages pupils to be curious, kind and confident, ready for the challenges of senior school and beyond. Facilities include a state-of-the-art sports hall and dance studio, a music suite, Woodland and Beach schools and a beautifully refurbished boarding house. As part of the Eastbourne College Charity, St Andrew’s also makes use of the standout facilities at Eastbourne College including astroturfs, swimming pool and the superb performing arts centre, the Birley Centre.

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09 Sep 2025

St Andrew’s Prep Named Finalist in Prestigious Education Innovation Awards

The school's nomination shines a light on its commitment to sustainability, which has grown in exciting ways this year through the creation of its Community and Sensory Garden. Once a disused area, the space has been transformed into a vibrant hub for learning, play and togetherness, thanks to the enthusiasm of our pupils, the wider community and the passion of the school’s head gardener, Hannah Gorman.

The garden has quickly become a place everyone is proud of. Children have helped at every step - planting, pruning and even building bug hotels that have brought new wildlife into the area. Hannah’s much-loved ‘Little Sprouts’ club now runs five weekly gardening groups, including a Pre-Prep club so popular it has its own waiting list.

This is just one part of the school’s wider aim to weave sustainability into every part of school life. The school’s flourishing Woodland Classroom continues to grow in importance, and its pupil-led Eco-Squad even proposed an upgraded cycle route to local MP Josh Babarinde. Added to this are the school’s Eco-Day celebrations, beach cleans, junk modelling and recycling projects. Step by step, St Andrew’s pupils are learning by doing, and becoming young environmental leaders along the way.

This news comes on the back of another major achievement: the school’s Eco-Committee was recently awarded the Eco-Schools Green Flag Award with Distinction. This nationally recognised award is given to schools whose pupil-led Eco-Committee goes above and beyond in embedding sustainability across the curriculum and the wider community.

Headmaster, Tom Gregory said, “We are absolutely delighted to be recognised in the Talk Education Awards. Sustainability is such an important part of who we are, and our pupils are at the heart of it - taking the lead in transforming the garden, exploring and learning in the Woodland Classroom, shaping initiatives like the upgraded cycle route and bringing our Eco-Day and community projects to life. Watching them take responsibility, solve problems and connect with nature and their community has been truly inspiring.”

Josh Babarinde added: “"I was delighted to be invited to visit St Andrew’s Prep earlier this year. The school is a fantastic example of how education can nurture a love for the environment while also bringing communities together. From their Community and Sensory Garden to their Eco-Squad’s proposal for an upgraded cycle route, the school is helping children make a real difference locally. I have no doubt their initiatives will inspire the children, and the wider town, for years to come.”

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