The Prebendal School

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The Prebendal School
PrebSchool.png
Location
The Prebendal School
West Sussex

England
Information
Type Preparatory
Private
Motto Latin: Fons Sapientiae Verbum Dei
(The Word of God is the Fountain of Wisdom)
Religious affiliation(s) Church of England
Established1497;528 years ago (1497)
Founder Bishop Edward Story
Chair of Governors Dean Edward Dowler
HeadAlison Napier
GenderMixed
Age3to 13
Enrolment≈120 [1]
Houses4
Colour(s)  Red
PublicationThe Prebendalian
Former pupilsOld Prebendalians
Website http://prebendalschool.org.uk/

The Prebendal School is a private preparatory school in Chichester, situated adjacent to the Chichester Cathedral precinct. It is a boarding and day school educating the cathedral choristers. The school has ancient origins as the medieval cathedral song school at the thirteenth-century school house in West Street. [2]

Contents

In 2020, The Telegraph named The Prebendal School as one of the best-value independent schools in the country. [3] In January 2023, the school announced that its recent ISI inspection in November had found the school to be Excellent in all areas. [4]

History

The Prebendal is the oldest school in Sussex and probably dates back to the foundation of Chichester Cathedral in the 11th century when it was a 'song school', teaching and housing the choristers. It was later extended to admitting other boys from the city and neighbouring areas. [5] In 1497, it was re-founded as a grammar school by the Bishop of Chichester, Edward Story, who also attached it to the Prebend of Highleigh in Chichester Cathedral, hence the name of the school. [6]

The thirteenth-century school house with its narrow tower still stands in West Street.

Girls were introduced into the school in 1972. The school is now a co-educational, day and boarding preparatory school for children between 3 and 13 years of age.

Due to its financial position, exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, the school confirmed in April 2021 that it was seeking external financial support. [7] In July 2021, it confirmed that it had been acquired by the Alpha Schools Group. [8] [9]

Structure

The school consists of the Pre-Prep (Nursery to Year 2) and the Prep (Years 3–8). Each pupil is a member of a school house, which are named after former Bishops of Chichester. There is also a boarding house that accommodate up to 46 boarders. The school remains open for Choristers in the weeks prior to Christmas, Easter and the Southern Cathedrals Festival. The Nursery, Pelicans, is open throughout the normal school holidays.

Academia

The Memorial Garden Prebendal Mem Garden.jpg
The Memorial Garden

Pupils are taught the Common Entrance or Common Academic Scholarship examination to senior independent schools, offered by the Independent Schools Examinations Board.

Heads

The following list includes Heads of the school prior to its re-founding in 1497: [10]

Old Prebendalians

Alumni are known as Old Prebendalians. Notable Old Prebendalians include:

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Independent Schools Council profile". ISC. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  2. ↑ Ollerenshaw, Neville (28 September 1984). A History of the Prebendal School. Phillimore. ISBN   9780850335521.
  3. ↑ Hunt, Marianna (15 January 2020). "Missed the state primary school deadline? These are the best value private junior schools still accepting applications". The Telegraph.
  4. ↑ "The Prebendal School's Excellent ISI Report 2022". www.prebendalschool.org.uk. 27 January 2023. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  5. ↑ "History of Chichester cathedral choir school". Of Choristers - ancient and modern. Archived from the original on 10 February 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  6. ↑ Miner, John Nelson (1990). The Grammar Schools of Medieval England. McGill-Queen's Press. pp. 277–278. ISBN   0-7735-0634-9.
  7. ↑ "Chinese investors eye the Prebendal School in Chichester". www.churchtimes.co.uk. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  8. ↑ "Chichester school joins leading education group" . Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  9. ↑ "Chichester Prebendal School announces its new owner" . Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  10. ↑ Bromfeld, Tom (September 2016). "The Prebendal School's Quest for Remembrance" (PDF). Chichester in the Great War.
  11. ↑ "The River of God". The Lamp Magazine. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.

50°50′11″N0°46′57″W / 50.83639°N 0.78250°W / 50.83639; -0.78250

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