Worth School from the Students’ Perspective

Overview of Worth School

Worth School is the place where we spend our days, a private, co-educational Roman Catholic boarding and day school located near Worth, West Sussex, England. It’s surrounded by 500 acres of Sussex countryside, nestled within the grounds of Worth Abbey, a Benedictine monastery.

History and Background

The school’s roots go way back to 1617 when it was founded in Douai, France, finding its current home in 1933. Initially, it was a boys’ school until 2008 when it became co-educational. It stands as one of the three well-known Benedictine independent boarding schools in the UK, alongside Ampleforth and Downside.

Academics and Curriculum

Worth School offers various academic programs, including the International Baccalaureate (IB), A-levels, and some BTEC courses in the sixth form. The school even offers a Pre-IB year for non-UK students. For a glimpse into the costs, day pupils were charged up to £7,275 per term in the academic year 2015/16.

Facilities and Extracurricular Activities

The school is equipped with impressive facilities for sports and the arts, featuring a golf course, fencing salle, and a floodlit AstroTurf pitch. Worth School has made a name for itself in the world of cricket, being recognized as one of the 100 cricketing schools in Britain. Additionally, it places great emphasis on pastoral care and discipline, with inspectors highlighting these aspects as ‘outstanding’.

Values and Community

Rooted in Benedictine values, Worth School emphasizes community, worship, humility, stewardship, and service. It’s open to students of all faiths or none, with approximately half of the student body being Catholic. The school’s motto, “Gloria Dei est homo bene vivit,” translates to “The glory of God is a person fully alive,” showing its dedication to holistic education.

Notable Alumni

The school has a network of former pupils known as Old Worthians.

Governance and Leadership

Currently, Head Master Stuart McPherson leads the school, governed by a Board of Governors chaired by Jeremy Fletcher. It’s important to note that Worth School was established as a separate charity from Worth Abbey in 2002, with its own Board of Governors.

Visiting and Admissions

Facilities and Extracurricular Activities

The school is equipped with impressive facilities for sports and the arts, featuring a golf course, fencing salle, and a floodlit AstroTurf pitch. Worth School has made a name for itself in the world of cricket, being recognized as one of the 100 cricketing schools in Britain. Additionally, it places great emphasis on pastoral care and discipline, with inspectors highlighting these aspects as ‘outstanding’.

Values and Community

Rooted in Benedictine values, Worth School emphasizes community, worship, humility, stewardship, and service. It’s open to students of all faiths or none, with approximately half of the student body being Catholic. The school’s motto, “Gloria Dei est homo bene vivit,” translates to “The glory of God is a person fully alive,” showing its dedication to holistic education.

Notable Alumni

The school has a network of former pupils known as Old Worthians.

Governance and Leadership

Currently, Head Master Stuart McPherson leads the school, governed by a Board of Governors chaired by Jeremy Fletcher. It’s important to note that Worth School was established as a separate charity from Worth Abbey in 2002, with its own Board of Governors.

Visiting and Admissions

Prospective students and their families are encouraged to visit the school for private tours and meetings with pupils and teaching staff. The admissions process is personalized, with entry points at ages 11+, 13+, and 16+, occasionally also accepting admissions at other ages. For more detailed information, the school’s official website is the go-to source for the latest news, events, and arranging visits.

In Summary

Worth School stands as a place of community, learning, and growth for its students, offering a range of programs and emphasizing values that shape our educational experience. The dedication to a well-rounded education and the strong sense of community are evident in the school’s facilities, values, and leadership.