A new chapter for St Andrew’s Prep and Eastbourne College

St Andrew’s Prep and Eastbourne College have unveiled plans for an exciting new chapter in their shared history, with proposals to relocate St Andrew’s Prep to a new purpose-built home within the Eastbourne College campus by 2029.

Since coming together as a single charity, Eastbourne College Incorporated (ECi), in 2010, the two schools have created an increasingly connected educational journey for their pupils. Next year marks a major milestone, with Eastbourne College celebrating its 160th anniversary and St Andrew’s Prep its 150th. Together, they represent 310 years of heritage in delivering world-class, co-educational learning through day, flexi and full boarding provision for families in Sussex, across the UK, and around the globe.

The next chapter in that shared story is ECi310: a landmark vision to bring the two schools together on one campus, creating Eastbourne’s only all through independent education provision for pupils aged 4 to 18.

Set between the South Downs National Park and the English Channel coast, the vision represents the culmination of a long term strategy to strengthen the close relationship between the schools, reflected through shared facilities, staff working across both schools, a Bridge Curriculum at Key Stage 3, and the longstanding progression of pupils from St Andrew’s Prep to Eastbourne College.

The new Prep School will combine the sensitive restoration of historic buildings with thoughtfully designed new facilities, creating a self-contained environment at the heart of the Eastbourne College campus.

It will have its own dedicated entrance and age-appropriate learning spaces for every year group, alongside specialist facilities including SEND provision, a wellbeing hub, secure outdoor play and learning areas, and a new multi-purpose hall.

This week, initial design concepts for the relocated Prep School have been shared with pupils, parents and staff across both schools, with the community invited to share ideas and feedback at the earliest stage of the design process.

Further information about ECi310, including initial designs for the new buildings and spaces, the project timeline, frequently asked questions and a dedicated suggestions and feedback form, is available on the dedicated website at www.eci310.co.uk.

Tom Gregory, headmaster at St Andrew’s Prep, described the change as "St Andrew’s will always retain its unique character. The warmth, the care, and the close-knit community our families know and value will move with us. ECi310 provides our children with an exceptional new setting, offering richer opportunities at every stage of their journey, and ensuring that the transition to senior school feels entirely natural when the time comes."

Nicky Eckert, Chair of Governors, said the changes marked the most significant step in the growing relationship between the two schools, allowing both to respond proactively to the challenges facing independent schools nationally. 

She urged parents to play a part in the change process. “This is our vision for the future, but we hope you will come and see the plans in person, meet with the team and share your thoughts. Your views matter, and they will help to shape what comes next.”

Tom Lawson, Headmaster Eastbourne College, said: "This is a genuinely exciting moment - not just for our two schools, but for every family in Eastbourne who wants an outstanding independent education for their child right from the start of their educational journey. Bringing St Andrew's Prep onto our campus means we can offer something truly distinctive: a seamless experience from age four to eighteen, shaped by 310 years of shared history and one of the most inspiring settings in the country."