Choosing a school is difficult to do from a prospectus alone. Open days give families a chance to see classrooms in action, meet pupils and teachers and, perhaps most importantly, get a feel for the atmosphere beyond the exam results. From some of Sussex’s best-known boarding schools to leading London day schools, these seven independent schools are opening their doors between late September and November.
Brighton College
Brighton, East Sussex
Open Mornings: Saturday 26 September and Saturday 10 October 2026
Prep School Open Morning: Saturday 3 October 2026
Sitting in the heart of Brighton, just a short distance from the seafront, Brighton College combines the facilities and traditions of a major independent school with all the energy of one of Britain’s most creative cities.
Founded in 1845, the College educates pupils aged 11 to 18 and offers both day and boarding places. Its approach puts considerable emphasis on academic achievement alongside kindness, individuality and giving pupils the confidence to explore interests beyond the classroom. Sport, music, drama and the creative arts all play a significant part in College life, with facilities including dedicated performing arts and music spaces.
Families considering the College have two autumn Open Mornings, on Saturday 26 September and Saturday 10 October. Visitors can meet pupils and teachers, explore the campus and find out more about academic, pastoral, co-curricular and boarding life.
Younger families can visit Brighton College Prep School on Saturday 3 October, while Years 5 and 6 are also included in the Prep event on 26 September. The College is particularly accessible for families considering a move out of London, with direct rail connections to the capital.
Ardingly College
Haywards Heath, West Sussex
Sixth Form Open Evening: Wednesday 23 September 2026
Nursery and Prep Open Week: 28 September to 2 October 2026
Senior School Open Morning: Saturday 3 October 2026
Set in extensive Sussex countryside near Haywards Heath, Ardingly College offers families the space and opportunities associated with a traditional country boarding school while remaining within easy reach of Brighton, Gatwick and London.
Its autumn admissions programme covers several age groups. Prospective Sixth Form students can attend the Sixth Form Open Evening on Wednesday 23 September, where families can explore A-level, International Baccalaureate and BTEC options alongside careers and university support. Visitors can also see Godwin Hall, the College’s dedicated Upper Sixth house.
For younger children, Ardingly’s Nursery and Prep Open Week runs from Monday 28 September until Friday 2 October, with private tours available. The main Senior School Open Morning takes place on Saturday 3 October, covering Years 7 through to Sixth Form and including a campus tour, presentations from senior staff and a pupil panel.
Ardingly has an international outlook, with pupils from around 30 countries represented among its boarding community. The school is particularly known for the IB Diploma, while an extensive programme of around 150 co-curricular options gives pupils plenty to explore beyond academic study.
Lancing College
Lancing, West Sussex
Open Morning: Saturday 3 October 2026, 9.15am to 1.30pm
Year 9 Open Morning: Saturday 14 November 2026, 9.15am to 1.30pm
Lancing College is a co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 13 to 18, set within the stunning South Downs of West Sussex. Welcoming pupils from across the UK and more than 40 nationalities, the College nurtures ambition and inspires excellence within a warm, inclusive community where every individual is encouraged to thrive.
Across ten houses, pupils enjoy a strong sense of belonging, develop independence, and forge lifelong friendships. Exceptional pastoral care ensures that every pupil is supported academically, socially and emotionally throughout their time at the College.
Lancing offers an inspiring and ambitious education that goes beyond examination success. Pupils are encouraged to think deeply, develop curiosity and pursue their individual talents, whether in the classroom, on the sports field, through the arts, or across more than 120 co-curricular activities. A vibrant weekend programme and extensive opportunities beyond the curriculum help pupils grow in confidence and character.
Pupils benefit from a diverse and globally minded community, with many progressing to leading UK universities. Families are warmly invited to visit the College, meet staff and pupils, and experience first-hand the distinctive education, outstanding facilities and supportive environment that make Lancing such a special place.
Book here: www.lancingcollege.co.uk/lancingcollege
Bede’s
Eastbourne and Upper Dicker, East Sussex
Prep and Upper School Open Morning: Saturday 26 September 2026
Senior School Open Morning: Saturday 10 October 2026
Sixth Form Information Morning: Saturday 17 October 2026
Bede’s offers something slightly different from the traditional independent-school model, with a strong focus on discovering what individual pupils are good at rather than expecting everyone to fit the same mould.
The school is spread across two striking Sussex settings. Its Prep and Upper School sit in Eastbourne, while Bede’s Senior School occupies a rural campus at Upper Dicker, close to the South Downs. The Senior School is co-educational and welcomes both day pupils and boarders, with approximately 760 pupils and a substantial residential community.
Families have several opportunities to explore Bede’s this autumn. The Prep and Upper School Open Morning takes place on Saturday 26 September, covering children from the early years through to Year 11. The Senior School Open Morning follows on Saturday 10 October, with a dedicated Sixth Form Information Morning on Saturday 17 October.
Beyond academic study, Bede’s has an unusually broad co-curricular programme spanning sport, visual and performing arts, languages, expeditions, volunteering and academic enrichment. Boarding options include full, weekly and flexi boarding, making it potentially attractive to families based in London who want a Sussex education without relocating permanently.
St Paul’s Girls’ School
Brook Green, Hammersmith, London
Open Evening: Monday 21 September 2026, 4.30pm to 7pm
Open Day: Saturday 3 October 2026
Open Evening: Tuesday 6 October 2026, 4.30pm to 7pm
One of London’s best-known independent girls’ schools, St Paul’s Girls’ School sits in Brook Green, Hammersmith and combines a highly academic environment with an extensive programme of activities well beyond formal lessons.
Music, drama, sport and STEM all form important parts of school life, alongside clubs covering everything from debating and engineering to coding, art and community projects. Pupils are encouraged not simply to join activities but to establish and run societies themselves, giving the school a notably student-led element outside the classroom.
For families considering 11+ entry in 2027, autumn events begin with an Open Evening on Monday 21 September, followed by the principal Open Day on Saturday 3 October, with sessions from 8.30am to 11am and 10.45am to 1.30pm. A further Open Evening takes place on Tuesday 6 October.
Events include talks from the High Mistress and senior leadership, contributions from current students and pupil-led tours of the school.
One important point for anyone considering a visit: St Paul’s Girls’ School currently lists these autumn open events as fully booked, although families are advised to contact the admissions team directly about visiting opportunities or cancellations.
Alleyn’s School
Dulwich, London
11+ Open Afternoon: Wednesday 30 September 2026
11+ and 16+ Open Morning: Saturday 3 October 2026
16+ Open Evening: Tuesday 6 October 2026
Further 11+ Open Afternoon: Wednesday 14 October 2026
Set in Dulwich, Alleyn’s is a co-educational independent day school educating pupils from ages four to 18 across its Senior School and two junior schools, Alleyn’s Junior School and Alleyn’s Oakfield.
While academic results are naturally important, the school describes its curriculum as deliberately broad, designed to encourage intellectual curiosity rather than focusing solely on examinations. The scale of life beyond lessons is significant too: Alleyn’s lists more than 200 co-curricular options, alongside dozens of music ensembles and a substantial programme of competitive and recreational sport.
There are several chances to experience the school this autumn. Families considering 11+ can attend an Open Afternoon on Wednesday 30 September, before the school’s main 11+ and 16+ Open Morning on Saturday 3 October. Prospective Sixth Form pupils have another opportunity at the 16+ Open Evening on Tuesday 6 October, while a second 11+ Open Afternoon takes place on Wednesday 14 October.
There is also a specialist Music Department Open Day on Wednesday 21 October for prospective 11+ music scholars. Registration for 2027 entry remains open into October or November depending on the relevant entry point.
Dulwich College
Dulwich, London
Year 9 Open Morning: Tuesday 22 September 2026
Year 7 Open Morning: Saturday 10 October 2026
Junior School Open Morning: Saturday 17 October 2026
Junior School Open Afternoon: Thursday 22 October 2026
Dulwich College’s historic South London campus offers an unusually expansive setting for a school within the capital, and its autumn programme provides several opportunities for families considering different entry points.
For prospective Year 9 pupils, an Open Morning takes place on Tuesday 22 September. Families looking towards Year 7 can attend the school’s larger Open Morning on Saturday 10 October, with arrival sessions at 8.30am and 10.30am. Academic departments and co-curricular activities are showcased, with talks from senior staff followed by pupil-led tours.
The Junior School then opens its doors on Saturday 17 October, with an additional Open Afternoon on Thursday 22 October. The latter includes a staff-led tour taking in facilities such as science, art and design technology spaces.
Dulwich places considerable weight on what happens beyond lessons. Its co-curricular programme encompasses sport, music, drama, charitable activity and outdoor adventure. The College says it stages around 150 concerts and performances annually, while approximately 200 teams compete across 17 sports. Houses also create smaller communities within the wider school, combining pastoral support with competitions spanning sport, art, music, drama, chess and debating.
St Paul’s Prep School
Barnes, London
7+ Open Morning: Saturday 7 November 2026
For families wanting to look slightly later into the autumn, St Paul’s Prep School in Barnes has a 7+ Open Morning on Saturday 7 November, providing an opportunity to experience one of London’s best-known independent school campuses.
St Paul’s Prep educates boys aged seven to 13 and shares St Paul’s impressive 45-acre riverside site in Barnes. The setting gives pupils access to facilities that are unusual for a central London education, spanning playing fields and a boat club through to a theatre, concert hall, art gallery and engineering facilities.
The Prep School describes its approach as combining academic ambition with sport, music and creativity, while its form, house and buddy systems are designed to help younger pupils settle into what is a relatively large and busy school environment. Pupils joining at 7+ enter the Lower First Year, with around 72 boys normally admitted at this point.
The 7+ Open Morning takes place on Saturday 7 November 2026 and gives registered families the opportunity to meet staff and pupils and see everyday school life.
Parents considering this particular entry point should act much sooner than November, however: registration for 7+ entry in September 2027 closes on Friday 25 September 2026, with the entrance examination following on 21 November.
Open-day dates and availability were checked against the schools’ own admissions information on 18 September 2026. Places at some events are limited, so advance registration is recommended.
