Welcome to our Prep School in Chichester

Day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 7 - 13 years.

We are proud to raise children who think, thrive and trailblaze.

Building momentum

Children dive into ideas, ask big questions and learn boldly, guided by specialist teachers who help their curiosity build exciting momentum.

Headmaster's welcome

Thriving fully

Kindness, opportunity and the freedom of a true childhood are woven into every day.

Every child feels valued, involved and excited to learn.

Breaking moulds

We inspire our pupils to break moulds, think boldly and challenge their own limits. They develop a genuine ‘can do’ spirit and step forward with purpose, ready to shape the future.

Why choose Westbourne House School?

Think.

Every lesson invites curiosity: puzzling through a problem, debating a viewpoint or discovering new connections, helping your child grow into a thoughtful, confident and independent thinker.

Thrive.

You’ll watch your child take risks, try new things and keep going when it’s tricky, learning more about themselves with every challenge.

Trailblaze.

From creative projects and public speaking competitions to collaborative challenges, your child will practise life skills every day.

Explore our prospectus

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"We loved that Year 7 also used the natural environment nearby (West Wittering beach) to inspire a sculpture project, later returning to photograph their work against the beach backdrop."

Ann, parent

"Pupils get to fully enjoy their childhood at this West Sussex gem where learning is ingeniously weaved into play, stretching children to learn on every level."

Talk Education

"According to my son the food is fantastic! He says the roast dinner on Thursday is not to be missed. The meals are healthy, well balanced with lots of fruits and vegetables."

Victoria, parent

"Music and drama are also at the core of the school. I have had my breath taken away at many school music concerts and performances and I could not believe that every child is taught music theory. The children really understand the concepts of music."

Mary, parent

“Pupils can explain what they are learning, how it builds on prior learning and why it matters."

Independent Schools Inspectorate Report, 2025

"At Westbourne House School, mistakes are even called 'Magic Mistakes'. A beautiful phrase that says: not only is it safe to get things wrong, it’s encouraged."

Lilly, educational consultant

"I am constantly surprised by the kindness and generosity of the staff. How they give so much to the children during and outside of lessons."

Harriet, parent

“A focus on problem-solving skills promotes independence and encourages pupils to think for themselves.”

Independent Schools Inspectorate, Sept 2025

Headteacher's welcome

I am delighted to introduce you and your family to Westbourne House School.

My philosophy comes alive as I walk around the school: I see pupils who are happy, engaged and who dare to try.

As a school, we believe that ‘every child can’ when provided with inclusive, enriching opportunities and the support they need.

We don’t fast track excellence, but preserve the spark and encourage children to blaze their own trail.

When you visit, you will discover that Westbourne House is a very special place for children to grow up. Our teachers are inventive, fun and keen to share their enthusiasm for their subjects and understand what makes each child tick, their concerns and dreams.

Explore the Prep School

A world of opportunities

Our Prep School in Sussex is nestled in 100 acres of parkland. Your child can discover a world of opportunities and adventure to cultivate their curiosity.

Read on to explore the aspects of Westbourne House Prep School, Chichester, that make it a perfect place for your child to thrive and grow.

Meet the staff who make it all happen

Why Westbourne House is one of the leading prep schools in Sussex

Our prep school combines an inspiring education with inclusive, family-like care, so every child feels known, supported and able to thrive.

We believe that nurturing young minds to be well-rounded and independent is the key to tomorrow’s success. Our vibrant curriculum attracts families not only from local areas in West Sussex, but from all over the world as well.

Our dynamic approach to learning, supported by enriching pastoral care, encourages the children to grow to be independent thinkers, whilst fueling their curiosity both in and outside of our classrooms.

The commute to Chichester

Our school, nestled in the beautiful Sussex parkland, is easily accessible thanks to our dedicated minibus service.

Spanning out as far as Midhurst and Petworth, our minibuses provide peace of mind in the busy mornings by transporting your children to school Monday to Friday.

Our mission

The mission of our school is not to fast-track excellence, but to preserve that spark, the inner drive, that pushes a child to explore, fail, try again and stay endlessly curious about the world.

FAQs

Where in Sussex is the school located and how accessible is it?

Neighbouring the beautiful city of Chichester, Westbourne House School takes pride of place between the South Downs and the south coast.

Our minibus service helps busy families coming from villages and towns around Chichester, or if the daily commute is too long, Westbourne House provides fantastic, homely boarding options.

What is the average Prep School class size?

Average class sizes range from as few as 13 children, up to 25. This depends on the school environments, specialisms, and overall size of the school.

At Westbourne House, our class sizes range from 11 to 18 children, ensuring individuals have all of the support they need to learn and grow.

What is it like to attend a prep school in the Sussex countryside?

"I've been at Westbourne House since Year 2. This is my last year as I'm in Year 8. I really love being at school. The food is great. We get lots of time outside playing with our friends. We play sport every day and my favourite lesson is food tech although I also like science, Latin and French. Each year we have a Bake Off competition which I always take part in. It starts with a technical challenge just like the show. We are lucky to have woods at school, which we can play in at breaktime, and we play family it or big games with all our friends at breaktime. I've seen a deer at school once and a fox and we know from our wildlife camera there are also hedgehogs. We have a lake at school. In Year 2 we went canoeing once a week in the summer term. You can do a canoe club at the weekends too."

What extracurricular activities are offered?

At Westbourne House, we pride ourselves on the wide range of extracurricular activities available to our children. From coding and fencing to cookery and Spanish, there is an after-school club for every child.

Full list of after-school clubs

Which senior schools in the surrounding area do pupils typically move on to?

We are committed to helping each child find and thrive at their ideal senior school, whether they are local to Sussex or far away, including some of the best private senior schools in the country: