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Slindon College occupies a stunning Grade II listed manor house within the South Downs National Park, providing a specialized educational environment for boys aged 8 to 18. This is not a typical academic hothouse. Instead, it is a purposeful haven for students who may have struggled in mainstream settings, particularly those with neurodiverse profiles such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism.
The college serves approximately 110 students, offering a mix of day places and boarding. Since November 2022, the school has been led by Mrs Sotiria Vlahodimou, who previously served as the college's SENCo and Deputy Head. Her background as a specialist in Special Educational Needs (SEN) is central to the school's ethos, ensuring that every boy's individual learning profile is understood and supported from the moment he arrives.
The setting is undeniably grand. Slindon House, with its flint-knapped walls and sweeping views toward the coast, provides a sense of space and tranquility that is often essential for students who find busy mainstream environments overwhelming. However, the atmosphere inside is far more intimate than the architecture suggests. Small class sizes and a high staff-to-student ratio create a community where nobody is anonymous.
The school's motto, Ora et Labora (Pray and Work), reflects its Church of England heritage and historical links to the Archbishops of Canterbury. While the religious character is present through regular chapel services, the focus is on universal values of kindness, resilience, and personal growth. The culture is one of patient encouragement rather than high-pressure competition.
Slindon College does not follow the traditional academic treadmill. For this cohort, success is measured by individual progress and the acquisition of qualifications that provide a bridge to further education or employment. The curriculum is flexible, allowing students to mix traditional GCSEs with vocational BTEC qualifications and Functional Skills.
In 2024, the school's secondary outcomes placed it at 3,938th in England. While this ranking sits below the England average, it must be viewed in the context of the school's non-selective, specialist intake. For many boys here, achieving a set of foundation-level passes represents a significant victory over previous educational barriers.
The primary phase focuses heavily on literacy and numeracy intervention. Small groups and specialist equipment are used to build the confidence of younger pupils, many of whom arrive with significant gaps in their learning.
Teaching is specialized and highly structured. The college operates as a mainstream school with a heavy specialist layer rather than a clinical SEN unit. Class sizes rarely exceed 8 to 10 students, allowing teachers to adapt their delivery in real-time.
A significant emphasis is placed on multi-sensory learning. Whether in a science lab or a history classroom, teachers use visual aids, hands-on activities, and digital technology to help students process information. The Learning Support Department is the engine room of the college, coordinating individual education plans and providing targeted one-to-one sessions for those with specific literacy or coordination challenges.
The Sixth Form at Slindon is designed as a transition phase. Students can continue with A-levels if appropriate, but many opt for vocational pathways in subjects such as Horticulture, Catering, or Creative Media. The goal is to move students toward independence.
Due to the small cohort sizes, specific destination percentages are often suppressed in official data to protect student privacy. However, typical pathways include local Further Education colleges like Chichester College or Plumpton College, with some students progressing to specialized university courses or apprenticeships. The school provides significant support for the transition to adulthood, focusing on life skills alongside academic study.
Boarding is an integral part of the Slindon experience for roughly half the student body. The boarding house is located within the main manor building, creating a family atmosphere. It is particularly suited to boys who benefit from a structured evening routine and those whose families live further afield in London or the home counties.
Evening activities are varied, ranging from mountain biking on the South Downs to supervised study sessions and cooking. The boarding staff focus on developing social skills and personal organization, which are often areas of challenge for neurodiverse students.
Pastoral care is arguably the school's greatest strength. Because the staff-to-student ratio is so high, emotional or social difficulties are identified and addressed quickly. The school uses a team around the child approach, involving teachers, boarding staff, and the specialist SEN team.
The school grounds play a therapeutic role. The Forest School approach is used with younger pupils, and the opportunity for all boys to spend time outdoors, whether gardening or walking in the parkland, is a vital part of the wellbeing strategy.
The extracurricular programme is designed to build the confidence of boys who may have previously felt excluded from school life. Horticulture is a major pillar here, taking advantage of the school's extensive gardens and greenhouses. Students often enter and win prizes at local flower and produce shows.
The Greenpower racing team is a highlight for those interested in STEM, where boys design, build, and race electric cars. Sport is inclusive rather than elite, with an emphasis on participation in football, cricket, and athletics. The school also offers a range of niche clubs, including photography, clay pigeon shooting, and Lego robotics.
The school day typically runs from 8:45am to 4:30pm, which is slightly longer than the standard school day to accommodate the broad extracurricular and support programme. For day students, a minibus service operates from several locations across West Sussex and Hampshire.
Wraparound care is effectively provided through the boarding infrastructure, though specific breakfast and after-school club details for day pupils should be confirmed directly with the admissions office as they often vary based on transport routes.
For the 2025-2026 academic year, day fees at Slindon College range from £18,990 to £25,065 per year, depending on the year group. Boarding fees range from approximately £32,085 to £37,125 per year. These figures reflect the high level of specialist staffing and small class sizes.
The college offers means-tested bursaries of up to 85% of day and boarding fees, depending on financial or compassionate circumstances. Scholarships of up to 10% are also available for academic excellence or special talents in drama, music, or sport. Many students have their places funded, in part or in full, by their Local Authority through an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Slindon College is a non-selective school in the traditional academic sense, but it is selective for fit. The admissions process typically involves an initial visit, followed by a mandatory taster session where the school's specialist team observes the boy in class and social settings.
Prospective parents should provide all recent educational psychologist reports and EHCP documents during the application process. While the school supports a wide range of needs, it is primarily designed for boys with cognition and learning or communication and interaction challenges. It is less suited to those whose primary needs are purely behavioral or social-emotional.
Slindon College is an exceptional choice for boys who have fallen through the cracks of the mainstream system. It combines the prestige and facilities of a traditional independent school with the heart and expertise of a specialist SEN provider. Best suited to neurodiverse boys who need a calm, supportive environment to rebuild their confidence and find their own path to success.
Slindon College is highly regarded for its specialist provision. It is regularly inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), with the latest report from November 2025 confirming its continued standards. It is particularly effective for boys with dyslexia and autism who require a smaller, more supportive atmosphere than a typical secondary school.
For 2025-2026, day fees range from £18,990 to £25,065 per annum. Boarding fees range from £32,085 to £37,125 per annum. Many families secure funding via Local Authority EHCPs. For the most up to date fee schedule, parents should contact the bursary office directly.
No, Slindon College is a single-sex school for boys only from ages 8 to 18.
The college specializes in supporting boys with neurodiverse profiles, including dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, and High-Functioning Autism. It also supports students with speech and language challenges and those with general learning delays.
No, an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is not a requirement for admission. The school accepts both privately funded students and those funded by Local Authorities through the EHCP process.
Slindon is a medium-sized boarding community, with approximately half of the 110 students choosing to board. This includes full, weekly, and occasional boarders.
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