Roedean has enjoyed an extraordinary and action-packed period, marked by achievement across all areas of school life. From national academic successes and sporting achievement, to creative excellence, inspiring trips, and a thriving co-curricular programme, this term has once again demonstrated the energy and breadth of opportunity that define life at our School. Across every area of school life, students have embraced challenge, supported one another, and achieved with determination and pride.

A Term of Academic Achievement

This term has seen outstanding academic achievement across a range of subjects, with students excelling in national competitions and extending their learning beyond the classroom, achieving Gold, Silver and Bronze awards in prestigious Mathematics and Science competitions including the Maths Challenges, Chemistry Olympiad, UK Biology Challenge and British Physics Olympiad. Sixth Form Chemistry students also demonstrated strong analytical and teamwork skills in the Schools’ Analyst Competition.

Alongside these achievements, students took part in enriching academic experiences. Fieldwork at Wakehurst Botanical Gardens and along the coastline below the School enabled them to apply classroom learning in real ecological contexts, while Sixth Form students led a mathematics session in a primary school, inspiring younger pupils and developing their communication skills.

A Summer of Sport

It has been another excellent term for sport at Roedean, with students showing commitment, resilience, and strong team spirit across a wide range of activities.

The cricket season was enjoyed by many students across the school, with a key highlight being the 1st XI cricket team competing against a visiting Marylebone Cricket Club Women’s team in a high-quality fixture, demonstrating determination against strong opposition.

The tennis season was also a success, with competitive fixtures against several schools. Students showed an excellent sporting attitude and made strong progress across their matches.

Our annual students vs alumnae netball fixture also took place, bringing together current students and Old Roedeanians in a competitive and celebratory match that continues to be a valued tradition.

Sailing and water sports have flourished through Wild Friday and Saturday sailing programmes, with students achieving RYA qualifications and developing confidence on the water. Sea swimming at Sea Lanes has also continued to grow, with students embracing open-water conditions and building resilience and strength.

The term concluded with a highly successful Sports Day, featuring outstanding performances, record-breaking results, and strong House participation.

New this year, our Sports Awards Evening provided a fitting celebration of the year, recognising outstanding individual and team achievements and reflecting the strength of sport across the School.

Creative Excellence

The Arts have flourished this term, with students engaging in a wide range of creative and design-based experiences.

A major highlight was the visit of a large group of students from Design and Håndværk Efterskole in Denmark, who had previously hosted Roedean students on a visit to their school, and who took part in workshops including screen printing, lino printing, paper fashion, and design technology. The day also included outdoor activities and cultural exchange, creating a vibrant international collaboration.

Art Scholars also took part in a specialist workshop with a textile artist, producing mixed-media bird studies using fabric and stitch. These works will be exhibited internationally, offering students the opportunity to see their creativity shared on a global platform.

A group of students had the exciting opportunity to attend Graduate Fashion Week, where they explored creative industries including fashion, styling, photography, and design, gaining insight into future pathways in the arts.

Musical Highlights

LAMDA examinations produced outstanding outcomes across Acting, Musical Theatre, and Verse and Prose, with a very high proportion of Distinctions awarded, including top-level Grade 8 results.

The Brighton Festival Fringe Concert brought together soloists, choir, and orchestra in a major community performance in our Chapel.

The Junior Music Showcase was a particular highlight, featuring Year 7 students performing on instruments they have learned throughout the year. The concert demonstrated significant progress, confidence, and enthusiasm for music-making across the younger year groups.

Teatime recitals and informal performances also took place throughout the term, offering students regular opportunities to perform in a supportive environment and develop confidence on stage.

Celebrating Dance

Dance has been a vibrant and expressive part of school life this term, showcasing both technical skill and creativity.

A particular highlight was An Afternoon of Dance, which brought together a wide range of styles including ballet, contemporary, hip hop, lyrical jazz, disco, and traditional forms. Students from multiple year groups performed with confidence and artistry, demonstrating the breadth of dance talent within the School. The event concluded with a joyful Bollywood showcase performed by our Year 8 students, who had taken part in workshops throughout the day.

Further success was seen in RAD ballet examinations, where students achieved Distinction at advanced levels, reflecting exceptional technical ability and commitment.

On the Stage

The term has been marked by a rich programme of performance and creative writing in Drama.

The Drama Showcase featured a wide range of performances including devised work, classical scenes, and student-led pieces, providing an opportunity to celebrate creativity across all year groups.

A major success was the selection of a student-written play for performance at a national theatre festival, chosen from over a thousand submissions. This achievement reflects the strength of creativity and writing within the Drama department.

The production of Hetty Feather, featuring our lower school students, brought a well-known story to life on stage, supported by a dedicated backstage and technical team, resulting in a highly professional and engaging performance.

Beyond the Timetable

The co-curricular programme has been exceptionally strong this term, offering students opportunities across a variety of areas.

The Roedean F24 engineering team continued development of their electric racing car, supported by sponsorship from the Henry Royce Foundation. The team competed at a major motorsport event, successfully completing a long endurance race and demonstrating strong technical and teamwork skills throughout.

The Combined Cadet Force completed weapons handling assessments and took part in a challenging overnight exercise, developing leadership, resilience, and practical field skills in demanding conditions.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme saw a large cohort of students complete their qualifying expeditions in Ashdown Forest, with both Bronze and Silver groups demonstrating resilience, teamwork, and determination despite challenging weather conditions.

The school farm also had a busy and memorable term, welcoming the Eco-Council from Cottesmore Primary School, while Duke the goat enjoyed walks on a harness to wish students good luck during GCSEs, and the sheep were expertly shorn by Holly the Shepherdess, leaving them lighter and ready for the warmer summer weather.

Experiences Beyond Roedean

Educational trips have enriched learning across the curriculum this term.

Students travelled to Berlin for a design and cultural studies trip, exploring architecture, museums, and street art. Geography students completed fieldwork along the Jurassic Coast, studying coastal processes and human geography in real-world environments.

Our Year 7’s and 8’s took part in a residential trip involving outdoor adventure activities and team-building challenges, developing confidence and independence.

Inspiring Students Future

Futures education has remained a key focus this term, with students engaging in university visits, careers talks, and immersive experiences.

A visit from a leading university provided insight into competitive applications, graduate outcomes, and life at top global institutions. Year 9 students also took part in an immersive careers day exploring fields such as medicine, law, engineering, business, and creative industries, gaining practical understanding of different career pathways.

House Spirit

House competitions have once again played an important role in building community spirit and friendly competition across the School.

Events this term have included House Swimming, House Tennis, Public Speaking, Sustainability Challenges, Science Video Competitions, and a quiz. House 3 emerged as overall winners of the House Cup following a highly competitive year across all events. 

Life in Boarding

Boarding life has been full of memorable experiences this term, with a wide range of weekend activities and events.

Weekend trips included ziplining at a major outdoor adventure site, escape room challenges, and beach volleyball on the seafront. Students also had the opportunity to attend a harry Styles concert in London and participated in a student-led festival-style evening featuring games, music, and fundraising activities. 

Supporting Good Causes

A wide range of ambitious fundraising challenges has taken place this term.

Year groups completed endurance walking challenges, sky walks, and overnight sleep-outs, raising significant funds for charities supporting health, homelessness, and animal welfare. Collectively, students have raised over £29,000 this academic year, making a meaningful impact on a range of causes. 

The Roedean Community

This term, Roedean was recognised in the Education Choices Awards 2026, being named a winner in the Inclusive Opportunities in Art and Music category and receiving a Special Mention for Working with Local Charities. These achievements reflect the Roedean community’s commitment to creativity, inclusion, and meaningful engagement beyond the classroom, as well as the passion and dedication of staff and students, whose work continues to make a positive and lasting impact.

Roedean also marked the anniversary of D-Day with a reflective service, honouring those who served during the Second World War when the School site played a historic role.

Alumnae events, including networking evenings and Roedean Day, strengthened connections between current students and former pupils and celebrating the School’s lifelong community. 

Looking Ahead

As we reflect on an exceptional Summer Term, it is clear that Roedean continues to be a place of ambition, creativity, and opportunity. Across academic, sporting, artistic, and co-curricular life, students have demonstrated resilience, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace challenge in all they do.

We look forward with excitement to the year ahead, building on this term’s achievements and continuing to provide a rich, inspiring, and supportive environment for every student at Roedean.