Age range. 2–13.
Number of pupils. 301 pupils: 89 boarders, 204 Prep School; 97 Pre-Prep.
Fees per term (2025-2026). Day: £7,800–£9,150 (Years 3–8); Full Boarding: £3,300 (7 nights/in addition to day fees); Pre-Prep: £2,930–£5,428 (Nursery to Year 2).
‘Fizzing energy, small family feel and top-drawer academics.’ Talk Education
Think. Thrive. Trailblaze.
At Westbourne House, we know great ideas can come from anyone – especially our pupils. Children collaborate, stay curious, learn from mistakes and trust their own ideas, guided every step of the way by our specialist teachers. Here, pupils enjoy the freedom of a true childhood, where exploration, imagination and wellbeing are nurtured every day. By the time they look ahead to senior school, they’re ready, confident and excited to blaze their own trail.
Location. Westbourne House is set in 100 acres of beautiful parkland in Chichester, between the South Downs and the sea.
Exceptional results. High achievement. Low pressure. Every pupil reaches their potential and secures their senior school of choice, such as Bede’s, Brighton, Canford, Churcher’s, Cranleigh, Eton, Harrow, Hurst, Lancing, Marlborough, Millfield, Portsmouth Grammar, Radley, Seaford, Sherborne, Wellington and Winchester. In 2025, 34 scholarships were awarded to Year 8 pupils for academia, music, drama, art, sport and all-round achievement.
‘Westbourne House School pupils are adventurous, keen to get involved, responsible and academically they are extremely well prepared.’ Leah Hamblett, Vice Principal of the Brighton College Group of Schools
‘Our children moved from leading independent schools in London where the pressure was significant, and they have absolutely blossomed on arrival at Westbourne House. We are convinced they have excelled far more than had they stayed in London.’ Parent
Reviews and awards. Westbourne House received the highest rating from the Independent Schools Inspectorate. It was the inaugural winner of Talk Education’s Alice Rose Award, recognising a school that ‘allows children to be children, supporting growth and learning while letting them climb trees and get muddy knees, where confident, nurtured, happy children enjoy their childhood. A true home-from-home.’ The school was named ‘Kindest School’ and ‘Best for Music’ by The Week, features in the Top 50 Cricketing Schools, and is a Pastoral Care Award finalist.
Our ethos:
Think. We’ll encourage your child to take intellectual risks and embrace a ‘brave, not perfect’ ethos, giving them the confidence to question, explore and challenge ideas. You’ll see them learning to think autonomously and deeply, guided by High Performance Learning principles embedded across the curriculum. Every lesson invites curiosity – puzzling through a problem, debating a viewpoint or discovering new connections – helping your child to grow into a thoughtful, confident and independent thinker.
Thrive. Every day at Westbourne House is full of discovery. One morning your child might be experimenting in food tech, the next debating with friends, spray painting a canvas or coding a robot. You’ll watch them take risks, try new things and keep going when it’s tricky, learning more about themselves with every challenge. Drama, music, sport and trips to Chichester Festival Theatre, Pallant House Gallery or West Wittering make learning an adventure. Inspiring subject specialists help your child to build ambition and self-belief.
Trailblaze. Your child will be given real leadership opportunities that create confident self-starters and develop character. They are encouraged to transcend boundaries, break the mould and think big. From creative projects and public speaking competitions to collaborative challenges in and out of the classroom, your child practises life skills every day. They don’t just move on to brilliant senior schools – they move up, ready to make their mark on the world.
‘A deeply fun experience.’ Tatler Schools Guide
Pre-Prep and Nursery. The Pre-Prep is buzzing with energy and creativity. Your child will explore, discover and learn through play and hands-on experiences, spending much of their day outdoors, investigating, problem-solving and asking questions about the world around them. Teachers create endless opportunities for children to learn through experience. It’s an outstanding start to a child’s Westbourne adventure.
‘A huge shout-out to the splendid Pre-Prep. It offers a gentle transition from Nursery to Reception and is one of the loveliest, most uplifting Pre-Preps we’ve seen.’ Talk Education
Boarding. Westbourne House is known for its gentle introduction to the boarding experience. Your child will settle into a supportive, family-style house, guided by caring houseparents and surrounded by a vibrant community of friends. Every day brings opportunities to grow in confidence and independence.
‘Boarding at Westbourne House School has been the best decision of my life so far.’ Isobel (Year 8 Spanish student)