Parental Recommendations
The Archbishop of York (former parent) recently summed Ardingly up. He said: "Ardingly transforms children who may be just ordinary into extraordinary young people." Dr John Sentamu's son, Geoffrey, attended Ardingly College:"My son is extraordinary; the school did something wonderful for him."
Old Ardinian Ian Hislop said on a recent visit:
“I had a real education here and I mean real in the widest sense; it gave me a genuine, questing desire to work out more than just how many marks you’d gain for each section of an exam paper. It was an amazing privilege to be here.”
Colin Morrison (Chairman of the Royal Wanstead Children's Foundation). His daughter attended Ardingly's sixth form and is now at Exeter university, her first choice of university: "Ardingly is a great school and has equipped our daughter so well. Soon after she joined Ardingly, we could see the impact of the school on her motivation, manners, and her whole attitude to studying. And this from a girl who has not always found schoolwork especially easy. My daughter was lucky enough to benefit from the truly life-changing experience of The Gambia and just about everything she experienced - and everybody she got to know - at Ardingly has made our daughter a happier, better-educated and better person. We have been thrilled to be part of your wonderful school community and our daughter has benefited hugely from your very high standards of teaching and also pastoral care."
Helen Smith, whose daughter is now in year 11 says: "I am an Ardingly parent who has been an educational consultant for over 15 years and provided guardianship for young people from overseas in almost 150 schools around the country. At Ardingly over the years I have seen pupils achieve success across the ability spectrum, thanks to the really close attention and care they receive. The cricket and violin playing daughter of friends achieved the 4th highest IB mark in the world at Ardingly a couple of years ago. In the same year group was a Hong Kong boy in my guardianship who had moved to Ardingly when he was bullied elsewhere and who was of only average ability. The school's extraordinary pastoral and academic support meant he ended up with A, B, C at A level, a real achievement for him. For the last two years I have worked with a Personal Tutor who guided another boy to gain a place to study architecture; he was quite simply the best tutor I have come across in all 15 years, not least because he communicated so effectively, efficiently and willingly at every stage with the boy, his mother and with me."
The Earl of Limerick, a member of our School Council, who selected Ardingly for his three boys says:"Ardingly is friendly and inclusive, and seems to avoid much of the clannishness and cliquery that permeate some schools.The school mantra that this is a 'day school with a boarding ethos' allows parents to pick and mix between day, weekly boarding and boarding with B&B facilities for day pupils. This flexibility can be very useful for parents if they are away during term-time."
Former Student, Ana Jackson, who achieved a top mark of 45 in the IB believes:"Ardingly College is school of passion. You can feel it a mile away. A passionate student is a successful one. I think Ardingly is a school for those who are proud to be and do the best they can. Succeeding is not just promoted by teachers or parents, but by peers and classmates. While it is not even remotely as warm as it is at home (Colombia), I have to admit Ardingly makes up for the cold with its atmosphere. Ardingly takes versatility to another level. Finding a school that offers and succeeds at everything from bee keeping to hockey to debating is rare. I'm proud to be a part of it."
• “We were immediately struck by the friendly, caring, atmosphere of the school and were impressed by the balance of academic study, music, drama and sports in an environment where enthusiasm and diversity is encouraged. We enjoy the fact that parents are welcomed onto the campus and encouraged to take part in the life of the school.” Sue and Peter Elwin, father of Sam (now at Cambridge reading history), Jenny (LV1 doing A Levels), Amelia (Remove/Year 10) and Anna (Year 8 and Head Girl of Ardingly Prep School).
• “Ardingly College nurtures individuality and gives children the chance to gain confidence in a supportive and caring environment.” Sue and Ian Masters, parents of Samuel (LVI) and Sebastian (Remove/Year 10).
• “Coming from London, my first thought was what a fantastic location and how great to be away from pollution with so much space and with so many more rural sports than city schools can offer - but still so convenient for London. My son has thrived academically and in his sports. I never even considered him moving for sixth form, particularly as the pastoral care has also been fantastic and the care of his Housemaster and tutor care has been supremely important in helping Josh mature into a confident young adult. Ardingly has made him feel special in his own way; they are so good at focusing on everyone and not just those who excel - that is the sign of a really well-rounded school.” Jo Barber, mother of Josh (UVI boarder)
• “In advance of our return from an overseas posting in 2004, finding a school that would suit all 3 of our children seemed an impossibility. We knew what we did not want more than what we did want. Most of all, we wanted to find an environment that would allow them to develop in whatever ways their already very varied and diverse interests and abilities would take them. Then we revisited Ardingly College and the pieces fell into place. It was mainly the prospect of the IB option in 6th Form that attracted us initially, as this was very important to us, but the more we looked, we realised that this was a school that would offer a broad range of opportunity in the first place across the curriculum and in extra-curricular activities, with the resources and commitment to allow the children to focus later on their chosen interests. They could each go their own way and find what they would be looking for. And, seven years later we have not been disappointed! In so many ways, our 3 very different individuals have honed their skills in, amongst other things, exciting debates and public speaking; in wonderful drama; in demanding but rewarding Choir performances; in too much fantastic music to mention; in the discipline of the CCF, in rigorous academic pursuit, in a great deal of competitive sport and in real life skills. All activities are encouraged in such a way as to develop and enhance the student; yes, it is competitive and high standards are set, but you don’t feel anyone loses out. Ardingly has encouraged them to be the best they can be at whatever they want to do well, and has then helped them do it even better.” Hilary Williams, mother of Josh (UVI)
• “I think one can take excellent academic results as read in independent schools. It’s what else that is offered that makes the difference. This is a school with a boarding ethos, which means that both boarders and day pupils have the opportunity for seven-day a week activities – which is really attractive to me for my daughter when we move to Sussex. Ardingly is not a specialist school, yet it clearly does sport, art, drama and music so well – there is breadth and there is also depth. It is also truly a British school, which we must be proud of, yet it has a great international outlook.” Paddy Jackman, new Bursar and father of prospective pupil
What our current and past Ardinians say
"You learn how to manage your time effectively and be organised...It’s a school that liberates you to make the best of your time, to make choices and take opportunities...Your mind is opened as well as your eyes." Abindine Sakande Lower Sixth
"My teachers ignited my passion for Physics. Their enthusiasm for their subject was contagious....We weren’t just taught a subject in the classroom, we experienced it.......I was never allowed to settle for mediocre; my imagination was fired and I felt enthused to achieve my best." Ana Jackson Ardingly College 2009-2011
"It’s crazy – in a good way – how much you can fit into one day at Ardingly....If you make mistakes you’re encouraged to learn from them. It’s only a mistake if you make it twice. I try not to do that! ...I’ve been pushed to fulfil my potential and now I can’t believe that I sit in the same class as people I’ve always admired." Caitlin Bateman-Champain, Remove, Senior School, Arrived in Year 7 of the Prep School
"You are encouraged to take risks and go outside your comfort zone. We are always challenged to read widely and research the subject to find out more for ourselves, rather than simply rely on what we are told." Henry Gould, Aged 12, Yr 8 Prep
"I was encouraged to look beyond what I was used to and broaden my horizons...It is a school where you can be what you want to be and it helps you be what you should be...No-one is forced to fit into a particular box...Ardingly plays to everyone’s strengths." Sam Elwin, Ardingly College 2005-2010
"At Ardingly you play as a team, yet you work as an individual.... You are encouraged to think for yourself and challenge other people’s arguments and assumptions." Tasha Walker, Shell (Year 9) age 14, 2011
"There are so many things to take part in that it’s sometimes hard to choose what to do!.....Everything is achievable if you put your mind to it....You are encouraged to push yourself, but if you ask for help it’s always there." Tim Price, Year 10 – Remove, Started at Ardingly 2010
"Nothing is too difficult to attain with the right amount of work and the right attitude, despite any underlying circumstances......Ardingly College is an environment in which you get out as much as you put in – and often even more." Unoma Ukolo, IB student 2006-8
"I wanted a school and a home and that is exactly what I felt Ardingly to be.....Ardingly is a school that looks outward, not inward – an English school with an international character.....Ardingly’s ethos is that we shouldn’t rest on our laurels, mustn’t be complacent about the status quo: I want to be in a position to effect change for the better, to make a difference." Victoria Bergbauer, aged 17, Deputy Head Girl. 2009-2012.
"My teachers kept me focused when things were tough.....I mustered every brain-cell and every muscle in my body to get better and succeed. My teachers kept me focused." Zara Christmas 2006-2010
