UK Term Dates · Independent schools map
Ardingly College
Independent school · West Sussex
| Address | College Road, Haywards Heath, Haywards Heath, RH17 6SQ |
|---|---|
| Ages | 2–19 |
| Pupils | 1056 |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Boarding | Boarding school |
| Religious character | Church of England |
| Phone | 01444893000 |
| Website | https://www.ardingly.com |
Term dates
Source: school website · checked 2026-10-16
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2026-27
| Term | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Michaelmas 1 | Wed 2 Sep 2026 | Fri 16 Oct 2026 |
| Michaelmas 2 | Mon 2 Nov 2026 | Fri 11 Dec 2026 |
| Lent 1 | Tue 5 Jan 2027 | Thu 11 Feb 2027 |
| Lent 2 | Mon 22 Feb 2027 | Thu 25 Mar 2027 |
| Trinity 1 | Tue 20 Apr 2027 | Fri 28 May 2027 |
| Trinity 2 | Mon 7 Jun 2027 | Thu 1 Jul 2027 |
Exeats: Fri 25 Sep 2026 to Sun 27 Sep 2026
INSET days: Thu 27 Aug 2026, Fri 28 Aug 2026, Mon 4 Jan 2027, Fri 12 Feb 2027, Mon 19 Apr 2027
Thu 27 Aug is new staff INSET. Boarders' welcome and Lower School/Shell welcomes Mon 31 Aug (bank holiday); student induction Tue 1 Sep (Y7, Y9, Lower Sixth and new pupils; returning boarders back by 21:00). Half terms and exeat begin after school (16:30/17:30) and boarders return by 21:00 Sunday. A bare entry 'Friday 18 December' with no detail also appears after the end of term (Fri 11 Dec). Senior School Open Day Sat 3 Oct. Bank holiday Mon 3 May is a normal school day. Trinity ends Thu 1 Jul for all except Upper Sixth (Commemoration Day Fri 2 Jul).
2027-28
| Term | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Michaelmas 1 | Wed 1 Sep 2027 | Fri 15 Oct 2027 |
| Michaelmas 2 | Mon 1 Nov 2027 | Fri 10 Dec 2027 |
| Lent 1 | Wed 5 Jan 2028 | Thu 10 Feb 2028 |
| Lent 2 | Mon 21 Feb 2028 | Fri 24 Mar 2028 |
| Trinity 1 | Wed 19 Apr 2028 | Fri 26 May 2028 |
| Trinity 2 | Mon 5 Jun 2028 | Thu 29 Jun 2028 |
Exeats: Fri 24 Sep 2027 to Sun 26 Sep 2027
INSET days: Thu 26 Aug 2027, Fri 27 Aug 2027, Tue 4 Jan 2028, Fri 11 Feb 2028, Tue 18 Apr 2028
Thu 26 Aug is new staff INSET. Welcomes Mon 30 Aug (bank holiday); student induction Tue 31 Aug. Senior School Open Day Sat 2 Oct. Bank holiday Mon 1 May is a normal school day. Trinity ends Thu 29 Jun for all except Upper Sixth (Commemoration Day Fri 30 Jun).
Admissions
Entry points: 11+, 13+, 16+
11+ (Year 7): visit, register by the deadline, attend the November Engagement Day with English and Maths papers and group activities; reference requested; offers December. 13+ (Year 9): register in Year 6, sit ISEB online Pre-Test, then selected candidates attend an Engagement Day in February; offers March of Year 6. 16+: register, reference, Assessment Day with online CAT, subject papers and a one-to-one meeting. Prep (Nursery to Year 6) has its own process.
- 11+: English and Maths papers
- 13+: ISEB Pre-Test and Engagement Day tests
- 16+: CAT test, subject papers, interview
Registration deadline: Fri 16 Oct 2026
Open events: Lent Term Senior School Open Morning (11+, 13+, 16+) Fri 12 Mar 2027, Virtual Open Morning (Senior School) Fri 26 Feb 2027, Prep School Open Week Mon 1 Feb 2027
Offers scholarships and bursaries.
Source: school admissions page
School bus routes
| Route | Areas served | First pick-up |
|---|---|---|
| Daily bus network | Burgess Hill, Coulsdon, Ditchling, Godstone, Ide Hill, Dormans Park, Tunbridge Wells, Westmeston, Nutley, Lewes, Hove, Billingshurst, Horley, Reigate, Horsham | |
| Haywards Heath station shuttle | Haywards Heath |
Source: school transport page
School details from the Department for Education's register (Open Government Licence). Term dates from the school's own published calendar; always confirm with the school.