Sompting Abbotts
  • Headmaster's welcome About Sompting Abbotts Pastoral Nursery Pre-Prep Prep School Our 100-year history Senior Schools Staff & Leadership Location
  • School day Lunch menu Wrap-around care Extra-curricular Forest school ethos Grounds & Facilities House system
  • Academic Arts, Drama & Music ICT & Computing Sports SEN Provision Assessment & Progress Scholarship Preparation
  • Insight
  • Calendar Term dates Policies Online Safety Behaviour Management Parents Association Adverse weather policy
  • Reception Introduction Day Visit us Open Afternoon Parent video reviews Pupil video reviews Parent feedback Contact us Visits & Open Days Fees
Sompting Abbotts
  • About/
    • Headmaster's welcome
    • About Sompting Abbotts
    • Pastoral
    • Nursery
    • Pre-Prep
    • Prep School
    • Our 100-year history
    • Senior Schools
    • Staff & Leadership
    • Location
  • School life/
    • School day
    • Lunch menu
    • Wrap-around care
    • Extra-curricular
    • Forest school ethos
    • Grounds & Facilities
    • House system
  • Education/
    • Academic
    • Arts, Drama & Music
    • ICT & Computing
    • Sports
    • SEN Provision
    • Assessment & Progress
    • Scholarship Preparation
  • Insight/
  • Parents/
    • Calendar
    • Term dates
    • Policies
    • Online Safety
    • Behaviour Management
    • Parents Association
    • Adverse weather policy
  • Admissions/
    • Reception Introduction Day
    • Visit us
    • Open Afternoon
    • Parent video reviews
    • Pupil video reviews
    • Parent feedback
    • Contact us
    • Visits & Open Days
    • Fees
Sompting Abbotts

Leaver interviews

Sompting Abbotts
  • About/
    • Headmaster's welcome
    • About Sompting Abbotts
    • Pastoral
    • Nursery
    • Pre-Prep
    • Prep School
    • Our 100-year history
    • Senior Schools
    • Staff & Leadership
    • Location
  • School life/
    • School day
    • Lunch menu
    • Wrap-around care
    • Extra-curricular
    • Forest school ethos
    • Grounds & Facilities
    • House system
  • Education/
    • Academic
    • Arts, Drama & Music
    • ICT & Computing
    • Sports
    • SEN Provision
    • Assessment & Progress
    • Scholarship Preparation
  • Insight/
  • Parents/
    • Calendar
    • Term dates
    • Policies
    • Online Safety
    • Behaviour Management
    • Parents Association
    • Adverse weather policy
  • Admissions/
    • Reception Introduction Day
    • Visit us
    • Open Afternoon
    • Parent video reviews
    • Pupil video reviews
    • Parent feedback
    • Contact us
    • Visits & Open Days
    • Fees
July 05, 2023

Charlie joined Christ's Hospital with an Academic Scholarship in Year 9

July 05, 2023/ sarah monaghan
Charlie joined Christ's Hospital with an Academic Scholarship in Year 9

Charlie won an Academic Scholarship to Christ’s Hospital and joined in Year 9. He now boards full-time and although homesick at the start, now rarely wants to go home!

Read More
July 05, 2023/ sarah monaghan/ Comment
Leaver interviews
March 06, 2023

Rupert joined Cranleigh School in Year 9 with a Sports and Music Scholarship

March 06, 2023/ sarah monaghan
Rupert joined Cranleigh School in Year 9 with a Sports and Music Scholarship

Rupert moved to Cranleigh School in Year 9 from Sompting Abbotts, having won a Sports and Music Scholarship. He is now really enjoying the school for its community spirit and for all the new friends he has made.

Read More
March 06, 2023/ sarah monaghan/ Comment
Leaver interviews
February 01, 2023

Thane won a double scholarship to Great Ballard and joined in Year 9

February 01, 2023/ sarah monaghan
Thane won a double scholarship to Great Ballard and joined in Year 9

Thane won a double scholarship to Great Ballard, where he is now thriving. He says that the family feel of rural Great Ballard has a lot in common with Sompting Abbotts, and shares the same pastoral ethos.

Read More
February 01, 2023/ sarah monaghan/ Comment
Leaver interviews
December 08, 2022

Katie moved to Our Lady of Sion School in Year 9 with an Art Scholarship

December 08, 2022/ sarah monaghan
Katie moved to Our Lady of Sion School in Year 9 with an Art Scholarship

Katie joined Sion School, Worthing, in Year 9, having worked hard and achieved an Art Scholarship. She’s settled well and is especially enjoying all of Sion’s extra-curricular after-school activities.

Read More
December 08, 2022/ sarah monaghan/ Comment
November 08, 2022

Annabelle became a boarder at Christ's Hospital from Year 9 having won an Academic Scholarship

November 08, 2022/ sarah monaghan
Annabelle became a boarder at Christ's Hospital from Year 9 having won an Academic Scholarship

Annabelle won a place at Christ’s Hospital, near Horsham, after finishing Sompting Abbotts following Year 8. She’s boarding and loves the school for its sweeping sports fields, multicultural community and beautiful buildings.

Read More
November 08, 2022/ sarah monaghan/ Comment
May 23, 2022

Veronica won an Art Scholarship to Roedean School and joined in Year 9

May 23, 2022/ sarah monaghan
Veronica won an Art Scholarship to Roedean School and joined in Year 9

Veronica went on to Roedean School after Year 8 and loves her new school. She says that Sompting Abbotts helped her prepare well for its entry requirements.

Read More
May 23, 2022/ sarah monaghan/ Comment
Leaver interviews
May 22, 2022

Aran took up a place at Brighton College in Year 9 with an Academic Award

May 22, 2022/ sarah monaghan
Aran took up a place at Brighton College in Year 9 with an Academic Award

Aran won a scholarship to Brighton College and joined in Year 9. He has now achieved 10 GCSEs and is in the sixth form studying for his A-levels

Read More
May 22, 2022/ sarah monaghan/ Comment
Leaver interviews
May 10, 2022

Rosalind won a Year 9 Drama Scholarship to Lancing College

May 10, 2022/ sarah monaghan
Rosalind won a Year 9 Drama Scholarship to Lancing College

Rosalind joined Lancing College in Year 9, having achieved a Drama Scholarship. She’s now studying for her GCSEs and has a packed life there, performing in plays, riding from the Equestrian Centre, taking part in the Combined Cadet Force and representing the college at different sports.

Read More
May 10, 2022/ sarah monaghan/ Comment
May 06, 2022

Reece joined Lancing College in Year 9 having achieved the Headmaster's Award

May 06, 2022/ sarah monaghan
Reece joined Lancing College in Year 9 having achieved the Headmaster's Award

Reece is now flexi-boarding (3 nights out of 5) at Lancing College, where moved in Year 9, having won the Headmaster’s Award. He’s enjoying the multicultural mix of pupils but less keen on Saturday school!

Read More
May 06, 2022/ sarah monaghan/ Comment
March 15, 2022

George moved on to Brighton College in Year 9 with an Academic Award

March 15, 2022/ sarah monaghan
George moved on to Brighton College in Year 9 with an Academic Award

George achieved the Millennium Scholarship to Brighton College and, having achieved 10 GCSEs, is now studying for his A levels. The school’s prestigious academic reputation was a big factor why he was keen to win a place there.

Read More
March 15, 2022/ sarah monaghan/ Comment
Leaver interviews
February 23, 2022

Anthony began at Steyning Grammar in Year 9

February 23, 2022/ sarah monaghan
Anthony began at Steyning Grammar in Year 9

Anthony chose to move onto Steyning Grammar after Year 8 at Sompting Abbotts. He is now in Year 12 and achieved excellent grades in his GCSEs.

Read More
February 23, 2022/ sarah monaghan/ Comment
Leaver interviews
February 18, 2022

Beatrice moved to Burgess Hill Girls School in Year 7

February 18, 2022/ sarah monaghan
Beatrice moved to Burgess Hill Girls School in Year 7

Beatrice moved from Sompting Abbotts to join Burgess Hill Girls School at the end of Year 6. She loves it because it’s very nurturing and that it is “all girls”!

Read More
February 18, 2022/ sarah monaghan/ Comment
Leaver interviews

Our latest news and views

Featured
outdoor learning sompting abbotts.jpg
Our Environmental Ethos: Outdoor Classrooms and Woodland Coronations

At Sompting Abbotts, we adopt a school-wide ethos that embodies our commitment to the environment. Its principles – 'Embrace Nature; Embrace Learning; Embrace Childhood' – are threaded through our teaching, influencing every child's journey from Pre-Prep to Upper Prep. Our 30-acre grounds and woodland in the South Downs National Park are at its roots.

Lab detectives: owl pellet dissection and analysis
Lab detectives: owl pellet dissection and analysis

Pupils have been working as dissection detectives in the science lab at Sompting Abbotts Prep School. They have been investigating Barn Owl pellets found in the school grounds.

Conkers and golden moments: an autumnal tradition at Sompting Abbotts
Conkers and golden moments: an autumnal tradition at Sompting Abbotts

What child doesn’t love to collect handfuls of glossy brown conkers? At Sompting Abbotts, they don't just fill their pockets — even socks become makeshift pouches. And so, at this time of the year, we send the children out into our school grounds to look for shiny conkers (not that they need any persuading).

Sompting Abbotts named finalist in Independent Schools of the Year 2023 Environmental Achievement Award
Sompting Abbotts named finalist in Independent Schools of the Year 2023 Environmental Achievement Award

Following our earlier announcement in July of the shortlisted entries for the Independent Schools of the Year 2023 awards, we're delighted Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School has been selected as a Finalist in the Independent School of the Year for Environmental Achievement category. 

New Beginnings at Sompting Abbotts: Introducing Our New Headmaster
New Beginnings at Sompting Abbotts: Introducing Our New Headmaster

Sompting Abbotts warmly welcomes Mr Chris Gunn as Headmaster, taking the mantle from Mr Stuart Douch who served from 2013-2023. We're grateful that Mr Douch will continue to enrich our community as Head of English and History. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for his excellent past leadership.

Sompting Abbotts launches annual Speech Cup of Poetry and Performance
Sompting Abbotts launches annual Speech Cup of Poetry and Performance

Sompting Abbotts’ annual Speech Cup of Poetry and Performance saw every child from Years 3 - 8 learn and recite a poem by heart! The best performances were chosen at a special competition in front of an audience of their peers and their parents. It was judged by an external expert adjudicator.

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

🍂 A Stunning Autumn at Sompting Abbotts 🍂

The beech trees along Abbotts Walk are at their most beautiful right now, displaying breathtaking autumn colours. These trees were planted in 1988 by our late headmaster, Tim Sinclair, after the Great Stor
🍂 A Stunning Autumn at Sompting Abbotts 🍂 The beech trees along Abbotts Walk are at their most beautiful right now, displaying breathtaking autumn colours. These trees were planted in 1988 by our late headmaster, Tim Sinclair, after the Great Storm of 1987. As David Sinclair, our bursar and Tim’s brother, remembers: “Tim always said, ‘An avenue of beech trees takes some beating.’ He was right, of course!” After the 1987 storm, the grounds were devastated and many trees damaged. Thanks to the hard work of the Harris family, who cleared up the fallen trees, and the Sinclair family’s dedication to replanting throughout the grounds, these beech trees and many more now stand tall, maturing beautifully over the decades. It’s a joy to see this golden display each day this Autumn as we arrive to school!🍁 #SomptingAbbotts #AutumnColours #Legacy #BeechTrees #GreatStorm1987 #SchoolTradition
🌞 "In the morning light, shadows stretch, as dreams meet dawn..." 🌞

A beautiful moment captured of our Early Years children, bathed in sunlight and casting long shadows across the grounds of Sompting Abbotts. They're gazing south towards
🌞 "In the morning light, shadows stretch, as dreams meet dawn..." 🌞 A beautiful moment captured of our Early Years children, bathed in sunlight and casting long shadows across the grounds of Sompting Abbotts. They're gazing south towards the English Channel that glints in the background. Such a peaceful scene reminds us of the beauty and wonder that surrounds us each day! Here's to the joy of discovery, friendship, and the magic of childhood on mornings like this one. 💛 #SomptingAbbotts #EarlyYears #SunshineAndShadows #NatureAndWonder
Are you ready to experience 1066 – a year that changed Britain forever? Dive into history with Stuart Douch, the talented graphic artist, author, historian, and former Headmaster of Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School. Stuart will be bringing t
Are you ready to experience 1066 – a year that changed Britain forever? Dive into history with Stuart Douch, the talented graphic artist, author, historian, and former Headmaster of Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School. Stuart will be bringing the Battle of Hastings to life through art, storytelling and interaction! ● When: October 14th – the 958th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings ● Where: St. James the Less Church, North Lancing, BN15 0EY ● Time: 7pm - 9pm ● Tickets: £5 on the door (children welcome!) Join us for: ⚔️ A fun and interactive talk about 1066 🍪 Delicious Anglo-Saxon honey shortbread & Norman spiced date loaf served during the interval 💥 Meet an Anglo-Saxon warrior in full battle dress! This is a great opportunity for history lovers, families and anyone curious about the moment that changed Britain forever. Stuart’s first graphic novel, 1066: The Battle of Hastings, will be hitting bookstores and Amazon next year! #somptingabbotts #battleofhastings #historytalk #stuartdouch @northlancingbloke
At Sompting Abbotts, we understand your financial concerns. We provide a more affordable, first-class education with small classes and excellent academic results. Your child will thrive in our nurturing environment, preparing for a bright future, at
At Sompting Abbotts, we understand your financial concerns. We provide a more affordable, first-class education with small classes and excellent academic results. Your child will thrive in our nurturing environment, preparing for a bright future, at a more accessible price point than many other schools. Drop into Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School's Open Afternoon on Friday 11th October. Chat with our staff and explore our nurturing and high-achieving prep school. All welcome. For all the details, visit: https://www.somptingabbotts.com/school-open-day-afternoon #somptingabbotts
🌟 Reading Together, Growing Together 🌟

Every week, our oldest and youngest pupils come together for a special reading session! 📚 Year 8 students team up with Year 3s, fostering leadership and nurturing skills in our older pupils while building co
🌟 Reading Together, Growing Together 🌟 Every week, our oldest and youngest pupils come together for a special reading session! 📚 Year 8 students team up with Year 3s, fostering leadership and nurturing skills in our older pupils while building confidence and friendships in the younger ones. It's a lovely way to strengthen bonds across year groups and inspire a love for learning. 💛 #PrepSchoolLife #MentorshipInAction #ReadingBuddies #somptingabbotts #BuildingConfidence #LeadershipSkills #CommunityOfLearners
Drop into Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School's Open Afternoon on Friday 11th October. Chat with our staff and explore our nurturing and high-achieving prep school. All welcome. For all the details, visit: https://www.somptingabbotts.com/school-open-
Drop into Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School's Open Afternoon on Friday 11th October. Chat with our staff and explore our nurturing and high-achieving prep school. All welcome. For all the details, visit: https://www.somptingabbotts.com/school-open-day-afternoon #somptingabbotts
Year 3 and 4 took part in a fantastic Festival of Fun this afternoon at Lancing Prep Worthing - thank you for a super event! The weather was glorious as the children put into practice their netball and football skills in the sunshine. Well done to ev
Year 3 and 4 took part in a fantastic Festival of Fun this afternoon at Lancing Prep Worthing - thank you for a super event! The weather was glorious as the children put into practice their netball and football skills in the sunshine. Well done to everyone for trying their best and learning from the coaches to improve their game! @somptingabbotts #somptingabbotts #outdoorsports #lancingprepworthing
Exciting news to end the summer term! Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School has been shortlisted for 'Small Independent School of the Year' in the prestigious Independent Schools of the Year awards, competing against over 2,600 independent schools acro
Exciting news to end the summer term! Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School has been shortlisted for 'Small Independent School of the Year' in the prestigious Independent Schools of the Year awards, competing against over 2,600 independent schools across the UK. Headmaster Christopher Gunn says: "We are so delighted with this decision. Sompting Abbotts is a very special family-run small rural school for girls and boys aged 2 to 13. Our real strength lies in our small size: the small classes (average 15 or less) and the fact that our school community feels and acts like one big family." "Our 19th-century building feels more like a rambling country home than a school," adds Mr. Gunn. "It's a place where every child's individuality is known and valued. We may be small in stature, but we are big on impact!" The school's success in the awards follows that it saw in 2021 and 2023, when it was twice selected as a Finalist in the Independent School of the Year for Environmental Achievement category. #SomptingAbbotts #IndependentSchoolAwards #SmallButMighty #isoty2024 #independentschoolsoftheyearawards #independentschool #privateschool #awards
What a lovely musical evening parents were treated to last night at the Summer Concert! Well done to all the children, right from the youngest in Year 3 to our Year 8s, who performed an array of instruments, including the cello, piano, drums, trumpet
What a lovely musical evening parents were treated to last night at the Summer Concert! Well done to all the children, right from the youngest in Year 3 to our Year 8s, who performed an array of instruments, including the cello, piano, drums, trumpet, flute, violin, vocals and more. Wonderful performances too from our Wind Band, String Group, School Choir, and Chamber Choir. A big thank you to Head of Music Mrs Williamson for organising the lovely event and to all the peripatetic music staff who put in so much work in rehearsing the children! 🎶👏 #SummerConcert #MusicalEvening #SchoolCommunity #TalentedStudents #somptingabbotts
Pre-Prep prize-giving by our lovely Principal Patricia Sinclair! #somptingabbotts #sportsday
Pre-Prep prize-giving by our lovely Principal Patricia Sinclair! #somptingabbotts #sportsday
🍂 A Stunning Autumn at Sompting Abbotts 🍂

The beech trees along Abbotts Walk are at their most beautiful right now, displaying breathtaking autumn colours. These trees were planted in 1988 by our late headmaster, Tim Sinclair, after the Great Stor 🌞 "In the morning light, shadows stretch, as dreams meet dawn..." 🌞

A beautiful moment captured of our Early Years children, bathed in sunlight and casting long shadows across the grounds of Sompting Abbotts. They're gazing south towards Are you ready to experience 1066 – a year that changed Britain forever? Dive into history with Stuart Douch, the talented graphic artist, author, historian, and former Headmaster of Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School. Stuart will be bringing t At Sompting Abbotts, we understand your financial concerns. We provide a more affordable, first-class education with small classes and excellent academic results. Your child will thrive in our nurturing environment, preparing for a bright future, at 🌟 Reading Together, Growing Together 🌟

Every week, our oldest and youngest pupils come together for a special reading session! 📚 Year 8 students team up with Year 3s, fostering leadership and nurturing skills in our older pupils while building co Drop into Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School's Open Afternoon on Friday 11th October. Chat with our staff and explore our nurturing and high-achieving prep school. All welcome. For all the details, visit: https://www.somptingabbotts.com/school-open- Year 3 and 4 took part in a fantastic Festival of Fun this afternoon at Lancing Prep Worthing - thank you for a super event! The weather was glorious as the children put into practice their netball and football skills in the sunshine. Well done to ev Exciting news to end the summer term! Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School has been shortlisted for 'Small Independent School of the Year' in the prestigious Independent Schools of the Year awards, competing against over 2,600 independent schools acro What a lovely musical evening parents were treated to last night at the Summer Concert! Well done to all the children, right from the youngest in Year 3 to our Year 8s, who performed an array of instruments, including the cello, piano, drums, trumpet Pre-Prep prize-giving by our lovely Principal Patricia Sinclair! #somptingabbotts #sportsday

Click to view map full size

 
Enquiry Form
 
 

Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions you have to make as a parent. Please email us below with any questions. Or call our Admissions Office directly on 01903 235960.  

Thank you for your message. We’ll be back in touch with you promptly.

Kind regards,

Patricia Sinclair

Principal, Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School

 

Where do our pupils move onto? Read the stories of some of our most recent leavers

Featured
Charlie joined Christ's Hospital with an Academic Scholarship in Year 9
Charlie joined Christ's Hospital with an Academic Scholarship in Year 9
Rupert joined Cranleigh School in Year 9 with a Sports and Music Scholarship
Rupert joined Cranleigh School in Year 9 with a Sports and Music Scholarship
Thane won a double scholarship to Great Ballard and joined in Year 9
Thane won a double scholarship to Great Ballard and joined in Year 9
Katie moved to Our Lady of Sion School in Year 9 with an Art Scholarship
Katie moved to Our Lady of Sion School in Year 9 with an Art Scholarship
Annabelle became a boarder at Christ's Hospital from Year 9 having won an Academic Scholarship
Annabelle became a boarder at Christ's Hospital from Year 9 having won an Academic Scholarship
Veronica won an Art Scholarship to Roedean School and joined in Year 9
Veronica won an Art Scholarship to Roedean School and joined in Year 9
Aran took up a place at Brighton College in Year 9 with an Academic Award
Aran took up a place at Brighton College in Year 9 with an Academic Award
Rosalind won a Year 9 Drama Scholarship to Lancing College
Rosalind won a Year 9 Drama Scholarship to Lancing College
Reece joined Lancing College in Year 9 having achieved the Headmaster's Award
Reece joined Lancing College in Year 9 having achieved the Headmaster's Award
George moved on to Brighton College in Year 9 with an Academic Award
George moved on to Brighton College in Year 9 with an Academic Award
Anthony began at Steyning Grammar in Year 9
Anthony began at Steyning Grammar in Year 9
Beatrice moved to Burgess Hill Girls School in Year 7
Beatrice moved to Burgess Hill Girls School in Year 7

Sign up to our newsletter to stay in touch with our news

We respect your privacy and promise not to spam you. We will only send you valuable content.

Thank you for your interest. We'll be in touch soon.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Quick links
Home
About
Fees
Bursaries
Parent feedback
Meet the staff
Meet the Headmaster
Sompting Abbotts Nursery
Pre-Prep Department
Main School and Prep Department
Forest School and Outdoor Learning
Admissions FAQS

sompting-abbotts-white-centred.png
 

Sompting Abbotts is a West Sussex preparatory school near Worthing for girls and boys aged 2 - 13.Tel: 01903 235960. Email: office@somptingabbotts.com Postal address: Sompting Abbotts, Church Lane, West Sussex, BN15 OAZ. 

© Sompting Abbotts School Ltd. Companies House registration number 417499: Registered office: Sompting Abbotts School Ltd, Church Lane, Sompting, West Sussex, BN15 0AZ. Tel: 01903 235960. Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School is an independent school in West Sussex, located near Worthing, Steyning and Brighton. It is a member of the Independent Association of Preparatory Schools. Bursaries /financial assistance may occasionally be awarded to suitable applicants in cases of genuine demonstrated financial need. Contact: The Principal, Patricia Sinclair, Church Lane, Sompting, West Sussex, BN15 0AZ. Email: office@somptingabbotts.com Website Privacy Notice. Terms & Conditions. Cookies. Website concept, design, videography, photography and copywriting by www.connectedcopy.co.uk