At Ardingly College, education is about much more than examinations. We aim to inspire a lifelong love of learning and develop the character, curiosity and confidence that enable every pupil to make a meaningful contribution to the world around them.

Our Aims and Values provide the foundation for everything we do. They shape the experience of pupils from the moment they join us, guiding how we teach, learn and live together as a community. Each aim supports our commitment to a World Ready education — preparing young people to thrive academically, socially and personally in a rapidly changing world.

We have distilled each of our six World Ready components into one over-arching strategic aim as we look towards 2030.

Build a culture of care that supports every child.
We ensure every pupil is known and valued through strong pastoral care, mentoring and a genuine sense of belonging. Wellbeing and happiness are central to success, and our caring community provides the security pupils need to flourish.

Ensure every student reaches their full academic potential.
Excellent teaching, intellectual challenge and personalised support encourage pupils to aim high. From early years to Sixth Form, lessons are designed to stretch and inspire, helping every child develop confidence and independence in learning.

Enable every child to find and develop a co-curricular passion.
Through sport, music, dance, drama and a wide variety of clubs, pupils discover talents and interests that build confidence, teamwork and creativity. These experiences cultivate resilience and broaden horizons beyond the classroom.

Equip students with employability and enterprise skills.
Our Enterprise & Employability programme links classroom learning with real-world experience. Pupils gain leadership, communication and digital skills that prepare them for university, future careers and lifelong adaptability.

Help students engage constructively with complex societal issues.
We teach pupils to think critically, listen respectfully and debate responsibly. By examining local and global challenges, they develop empathy, integrity and the courage to act with moral awareness.

Broaden students’ horizons locally and globally.
Partnerships, international exchanges and service projects encourage pupils to engage with different cultures and communities. They learn that compassion and global citizenship are essential parts of modern education.

Fulfil the College values of Engagement, Compassion, Resilience and Collaboration.
These values underpin every aspect of school life, influencing relationships, decision-making and personal development. They represent who we are and what we strive to become.

Our Supporting Aims

To support these educational aims, the College seeks to:

  • Maintain a school at optimal size and with a healthy co-educational balance.
  • Recruit, retain and develop outstanding staff.
  • Engage parents in strong parent-school partnerships through effective communication and building high-trust relationships.
  • Communicate the College’s VAT plan to mitigate the tax burden and protect the integrity of students’ school experience.
  • Widen access to the College through building the endowment for means-tested bursaries.
  • Invest in the campus infrastructure and facilities to deliver educational aims and ensure operational efficiency.

Our Values

Ardingly is a values-led school and World Ready is a values-led education that values above all the personal qualities of our students. The College has Christian foundations and we seek to express Christian values in a way that is meaningful for children regardless of their personal faith.

“Leaders successfully foster the values of engagement, compassion, resilience and collaboration. These values are prominently and successfully promoted."
ISI Inspection Report, June 2024

Engagement

Compassion

Resilience

Collaboration