No matter where you look at Ardingly College, you will find facilities and resources designed to enhance the way in which our students live and learn. A modern computer network links over 500 PCs around the school and ICT is widely used in the classroom. Students have access to computers in the school’s specialist ICT suites and in each of the day and boarding houses.
Computers are also available for student use in the McLaren Library, which has an extensive collection of books, magazines and other resources housed in a spacious and attractive setting. Elsewhere around the campus, you will discover many other specialist facilities intended to make learning more interactive and enjoyable.
Music
Ardingly has a proud tradition of musical excellence and over half of our students learn one or more instruments. The school has an outstanding Chapel Choir, a full orchestra, various chamber groups and ensembles, a thriving jazz band and several rock bands. Our own music staff are assisted by over forty visiting music teachers. There is a packed programme of musical performances at school and at a number of prestigious venues in London, Winchester, Canterbury, Chichester and Windsor Castle each year. Our musicians also take part in major choral performances put on by the Choral Society each term, where they get to play or sing alongside nationally ranked soloists and instrumentalists.
Art and Drama
The Art School is located in the heart of the College and offers students a chance to explore painting, drawing, printing, ceramics, sculpture, textiles, theatre design, photography, and the history of art and craft in a relaxed and creative environment where personal expression and individual development are the keynotes.
Ardingly also has an extremely active and exciting drama programme and stages many productions over the course of the year, from musicals through Shakespearian plays to some of the more challenging work by contemporary playwrights. There are plays for all year groups and everyone is encouraged to get involved, either on-stage or backstage. Major productions are performed in “The Under”, which is our fully equipped theatre with seating for up to 300, while the Drama Studio is used for smaller studio-type productions and for the many drama workshops that are held during the year.
Sport and Leisure
As well as providing a first class education, Ardingly offers each student the chance to develop their skills and interests in a wide range of sports and activities. In fact, we offer over 80 different activities each year, from aerobics to abseiling, from cooking to canoeing and from shooting to sailing. Ardingly has a proud record of success in Football, Hockey, Cross Country, Athletics and Shooting, but we also cater for many other sports and for all levels of ability from beginner to national representative.
Outdoor Education
Ardingly’s location at the heart of such stunning countryside makes outdoor
pursuits a real favourite with many of our students. In Year 9, students take part in the Shell Outdoor Education programme, which gives students a taste of the CCF, the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme, shooting, sailing, kayaking, rock climbing, abseiling, hiking and camping.
The Combined Cadet Force offers students an opportunity to develop vital survival skills and leadership techniques within an Army context. Working with regular soldiers and Outward Bound Specialists, cadets develop initiative and self reliance as they are trained in weapons handling, signalling, fieldcraft and infantry tactics. Ardingly also has excellent facilities for shooting and our teams are very successful, both within the county and nationally.
Our flourishing Duke of Edinburgh scheme offers training and challenging expeditions up to Gold standard in settings as varied as Snowdonia, the Lake District and the Cairngorms in Scotland.
Creative Expression
At Ardingly College you are bound to find a way to get involved and express yourself, wherever your interests might lie. Whether you get involved in music, art, drama, debating, public speaking or writing for a student newspaper, you can be sure that you will be working with other students who share your enthusiasm. Our vibrant school is dedicated to broadening your horizons and making sure you enjoy your life here to the full.
