The Prebendal School, Chichester

The Prebendal School is a leading independent school based in Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom. The Prebendal School is the oldest school in Sussex and dates back to the foundation of Chichester Cathedral in the eleventh century when it would have been a ‘song school’ responsible for teaching the choristers. The first Head in 1121 is listed simply as ‘John’. It was re-founded as a grammar school in 1497 by the then Bishop of Chichester, Edward Storey, who attached it to the Prebend of Highleigh, after whom the school was named. The school is now a leading co-educational day and boarding preparatory school educating children between the ages of 3 and 13 years. Like many other Cathedral Choir Schools, the school occupies a range of buildings in and around the Cathedral Close dating from the original, fourteenth century song school to the brand new Pavilion opening in 2022. Whilst Music is a focus, the school enjoys sporting success in all disciplines, and a strong Academic record with a large number of pupils gaining scholarships to their senior schools. Outdoor Learning is embraced, and the Pre-Prep pupils enjoy frequent visits to the coast as part of the school’s award-winning “Beach School” programme. In 2021, the school’s 900th year it joined Alpha Schools, a leading group of schools across the UK.