Sompting Abbotts
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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

Our insight | West Sussex independent schools

All the news and insight from West Sussex private primary school Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School. Sompting Abbotts is a Sussex independent school located near Steyning and Worthing

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

School News and Insight

To see more of our news as it happens, please click on an icon below and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

Featured
outdoor learning sompting abbotts.jpg
Our Environmental Ethos: Outdoor Classrooms and Woodland Coronations
Lab detectives: owl pellet dissection and analysis
Lab detectives: owl pellet dissection and analysis
Conkers and golden moments: an autumnal tradition at Sompting Abbotts
Conkers and golden moments: an autumnal tradition at Sompting Abbotts
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
New Beginnings at Sompting Abbotts: Introducing Our New Headmaster
New Beginnings at Sompting Abbotts: Introducing Our New Headmaster
Sompting Abbotts launches annual Speech Cup of Poetry and Performance
Sompting Abbotts launches annual Speech Cup of Poetry and Performance
What to consider when looking for the right senior school for your child?
What to consider when looking for the right senior school for your child?
Birdwatching for young environmentalists at Sompting Abbotts
Birdwatching for young environmentalists at Sompting Abbotts
Sompting Abbotts selected for Independent Schools of the Year prestigious Green Award
Sompting Abbotts selected for Independent Schools of the Year prestigious Green Award
This Is The Best Kind of Classroom!
This Is The Best Kind of Classroom!
Lights, camera, action! Behind the scenes filming in the Pre-Prep
Lights, camera, action! Behind the scenes filming in the Pre-Prep
"Different but brilliant!": Sports Day 2021
"Different but brilliant!": Sports Day 2021
Sompting Abbotts' Headmaster Stuart Douch is BBC News guest
Sompting Abbotts' Headmaster Stuart Douch is BBC News guest
"I just want my old classroom"
"I just want my old classroom"
11 essential tips for hearing your Key Stage 1 child read aloud at home
11 essential tips for hearing your Key Stage 1 child read aloud at home
Sompting Abbotts pupils launch #lockdownjoy Christmas album to the public
Sompting Abbotts pupils launch #lockdownjoy Christmas album to the public
Sompting Abbotts' Music Department records virtual concert of Pachelbel's Cannon
Sompting Abbotts' Music Department records virtual concert of Pachelbel's Cannon
Virtual Sports Day Success
Virtual Sports Day Success
The unexpected benefits of learning Latin for children
The unexpected benefits of learning Latin for children
Vintage prospectus reveals what life was like for 1930s boarders at Sompting Abbotts
Vintage prospectus reveals what life was like for 1930s boarders at Sompting Abbotts
Sompting Abbotts' distance learning programme is judged "highly effective"
Sompting Abbotts' distance learning programme is judged "highly effective"
Sompting Abbotts remembers evacuation and requisition during World War 2
Sompting Abbotts remembers evacuation and requisition during World War 2
Sompting Abbotts' headmaster uses 150-year-old tree to help children with 'lockdown resilience'
Sompting Abbotts' headmaster uses 150-year-old tree to help children with 'lockdown resilience'
Sompting Abbotts lockdown poem 'Lost Property' prompts an emotional response
Sompting Abbotts lockdown poem 'Lost Property' prompts an emotional response
Sompting Abbotts' virtual performance of Over the Rainbow touches hearts
Sompting Abbotts' virtual performance of Over the Rainbow touches hearts
How to tell if your child would benefit from special educational needs (SEN) support
How to tell if your child would benefit from special educational needs (SEN) support
The key to building children’s confidence in Maths
The key to building children’s confidence in Maths
Tuck boxes, inkwells, weekly baths, Sunday letter writing … What life was like for the boarders at Sompting Abbotts in the 1960s
Tuck boxes, inkwells, weekly baths, Sunday letter writing … What life was like for the boarders at Sompting Abbotts in the 1960s
Sompting Abbotts Prep School is named winner at UK Content Awards
Sompting Abbotts Prep School is named winner at UK Content Awards
Why do smaller classes improve academic outcomes?
Why do smaller classes improve academic outcomes?
Featured
The boy who tapped on his desk…
The boy who tapped on his desk…
11 facts you need to know about the Common Entrance exam
11 facts you need to know about the Common Entrance exam
What not to do at a school open day
What not to do at a school open day
Best-selling author Alex Preston on the "warmth and genial eccentricity" of Sompting Abbotts Prep School
Best-selling author Alex Preston on the "warmth and genial eccentricity" of Sompting Abbotts Prep School
A step back in time: the people behind the history of Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School
A step back in time: the people behind the history of Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School
Top 10 books for pre-schoolers’ short attention spans
Top 10 books for pre-schoolers’ short attention spans
Nick Linfield, OBE, on why he owes Sompting Abbotts "an enormous debt of gratitude"
Nick Linfield, OBE, on why he owes Sompting Abbotts "an enormous debt of gratitude"
                      Should I send my child to a prep school? Here’s some good advice
Should I send my child to a prep school? Here’s some good advice
The hauntingly beautiful hit song inspired by the walled secret garden at Sompting Abbotts
The hauntingly beautiful hit song inspired by the walled secret garden at Sompting Abbotts
10 reasons why learning sports for children is more than one big game
10 reasons why learning sports for children is more than one big game
The short story based upon Sompting Abbotts by best-selling author Alex Preston
The short story based upon Sompting Abbotts by best-selling author Alex Preston
How much screen time is too much for your child?
How much screen time is too much for your child?
Wartime letter discovered under Sompting Abbotts' floorboards links son to family’s past
Wartime letter discovered under Sompting Abbotts' floorboards links son to family’s past
What's the difference between a feeder and non-feeder school in the independent school sector?
What's the difference between a feeder and non-feeder school in the independent school sector?
Sompting Abbotts' pupil Veronica makes CBeebies voiceover debut
Sompting Abbotts' pupil Veronica makes CBeebies voiceover debut
Remembering the Great Storm of 1987 at Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School
Remembering the Great Storm of 1987 at Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School
Why learning music is important for STEM skills
Why learning music is important for STEM skills
9 easy ways to help get your child ready for 'big school'
9 easy ways to help get your child ready for 'big school'
What did an old letter, dated 1939 and found under the floorboards of a dorm at Sompting Abbotts, reveal?
What did an old letter, dated 1939 and found under the floorboards of a dorm at Sompting Abbotts, reveal?
Hoping your child might win a prized scholarship? Here's what you need to know
Hoping your child might win a prized scholarship? Here's what you need to know
Private school: I owe it to my daughter
Private school: I owe it to my daughter

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.

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🍂 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

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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

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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