Brighton College opens new Hove school with £3million investment

Brighton College has officially opened its new prep school in Hove, backed by a £3 million investment in new facilities and learning spaces for children aged 3 to 11, marking a major new chapter for education in the city.

Brighton College Prep Hove opened its doors this September, bringing together the warmth and close-knit community of the former Windlesham School & Nursery with the educational opportunities and expertise of the wider Brighton College family.

The official opening was celebrated this week as pupils, parents, teachers and guests gathered at the school. Brighton College Principal Richard Cairns joined Headmaster Philip Smith and pupils to unveil the new Brighton College Prep Hove sign, marking the start of a new era for the school.

The launch represents a significant investment by Brighton College in education in Hove. The College is investing £3 million in the school over two years, with plans including new playgrounds, outdoor learning spaces and further improvements to facilities.

At the heart of the plans is an ambition to combine these new opportunities with the personal, small-school atmosphere for which the school is already known.

Leading Brighton College Prep Hove is Headmaster Philip Smith, formerly Deputy Head of Brighton College Prep School, who brings extensive experience of Brighton College education to the role.

Richard Cairns, Principal of Brighton College, said:

“Opening Brighton College Prep Hove is a hugely exciting moment for us and one that feels particularly special. Brighton College has been part of this city for more than 180 years, and we are incredibly proud now to have a school serving families in Hove too.

Our ambition is to create something truly exceptional here; a school that retains all the warmth, character and sense of community that families value, while giving children access to the extraordinary opportunities that come with being part of the Brighton College family.

Seeing the excitement of the children as we unveiled the new sign was a wonderful way to begin this next chapter.”

Philip Smith, Headmaster of Brighton College Prep Hove, commented:

“This is an incredibly exciting time for our school. We have a wonderful community here in Hove and our priority is to build on everything that families already love about the school while creating even more opportunities for our children.

With significant investment in our facilities and the support and expertise of the wider Brighton College family, we have an extraordinary opportunity to create one of the very best prep schools in the area, while remaining a warm, happy and personal school where every child is known and valued.”

Guests at the official opening enjoyed performances from the Brighton College Chamber Choir before the celebrations concluded with afternoon tea.

Brighton College Prep Hove becomes the fourth prep school in the Brighton College family, joining Brighton College Prep School in Kemptown, Brighton College Prep Handcross in West Sussex and Brighton College Prep Kensington in London.

Founded in 1845, Brighton College has been part of the city for more than 180 years and has grown from its original Brighton location into a family of schools in the UK and internationally.