Seaford College, Petworth
Seaford College is an independent school for pupils aged 4 to 18 in Petworth. It is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted; its most recent ISI inspection was a routine inspection in January 2026.
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
Seaford College in detail
Seaford College in its own words
From the headteacher's welcome: "Finding the right school is one of the most significant decisions a family makes, and I do not take lightly the trust you place in us when you choose Seaford for your child."
Coming up: an open day on Saturday 21 November 2026, an open evening on Saturday 21 November 2026, an open day on Saturday 6 March 2027 and an open day on Saturday 8 May 2027. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.
All school open days in West Sussex
Headteacher's welcome (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Seaford College can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other independent schools to Seaford College are Great Ballard School (4.4 miles, selective); and Dorset House School (4.8 miles).
Where pupils go next
Of the 132 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 39% went on to university or other higher education, 1% to apprenticeships and 30% into work.
Who goes there
In 2026, 215 pupils (22.2%) received SEN support and 1 (0.1%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Seaford College.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 0 crimes within a mile of the school. That is well below the typical figure around schools in West Sussex (103).
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE destination measures; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASISI Inspection Reports
Independent schools in England are inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), not Ofsted.
Routine Inspection
6 January 2026
Non-Routine Inspection
23 June 2025
Educational Quality / Focused Compliance
7 March 2023
Short Visit
29 September 2022
Regulatory Compliance
5 December 2018
Integrated
25 November 2014
About
Seaford College is an independent co-educational boarding and day school at East Lavington, south of Petworth, West Sussex, England. Founded in 1884, it is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference.
From Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Secondary Performance (GCSE)
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Seaford College can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
GCSE Subjects Offered
2025/26 academic year - entries by number of pupils
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 2 nearby all-through schools
Keep up with Seaford College
Getting There
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025.
The typical figure for schools in West Sussex is 11 (the median across 337 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
95%
Near capacity
970 pupils
1,021 places
51 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Petworth
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Petworth
Across West Sussex council
Places available
9,806
Applications
8,765
Got 1st preference
87.5%
Got preferred school
97.6%
All secondary applications across West Sussex council (2026/27), not just this school.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
215
SEN Support
1
EHC Plans
22.3%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
970
Total Pupils
580
Boys
390
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Seaford College
Questions parents ask about Seaford College
What are GCSE results like at Seaford College?
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Seaford College can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
When was Seaford College last inspected?
Seaford College is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted. Its most recent ISI inspection was a routine inspection in January 2026.
How many pupils go to Seaford College?
Seaford College has around 970 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to Seaford College?
Seaford College is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
How many road collisions happen near Seaford College?
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025. The typical figure for schools in West Sussex is 11 (the median across 337 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Seaford College?
Seaford College is at Lavington Park, Petworth, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0NB.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)