Accepting applications for September 2023
An Independent, Co-Ed, Day and Boarding College for Students aged 13-18.
At OIC Brighton, we encourage our students from Year 9 to expand their learning beyond the classroom, through entering competitions or joining clubs, and through volunteering and internships as they move into sixth form. These enriching experiences help them to develop into well-rounded young people, ready for success at university and beyond.
Following the successful OIC model with younger students means that our passionate teachers and Supercurricular department will have even more time to guide you and nurture your talents, based on your university aspirations. This pedagogical approach is specifically designed to ensure that you leave our college with everything you need to take on the challenge of university and beyond.
In contrast to the bustling city centre location of OIC Oxford, our vision for Brighton is a vision for a busy, engaged community of students from age 13 all the way through to Sixth Form, based on one beautiful, spacious and modern campus; studying and living together with the same aims and values. With vast amounts of green space, sports facilities and peaceful study spots, the campus provides the ideal setting for you to grow your talents and pursue a very successful academic career.
We are delighted to announce that we will be holding an Open House Event on Saturday 11th March. Register your interest via the button below.
Leadership Team
Tess St Clair-Ford, Founding Principal
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Tess St Clair-Ford, Founding Principal of Oxford International College Brighton.
Tess brings a wealth of experience to the college, with a career spanning over a decade in senior roles in independent schools, most recently as Head of Senior School at Harrow Shanghai since August 2020. She has also led teams of examiners of IGCSE English Literature for more than five years.
An advocate of student wellbeing and the positive effect this has on academic outcomes, Ms. St Clair-Ford has supported students in gaining entry to the world’s top universities; in particular, leading programmes specifically designed to prepare students for entry to Oxford and Cambridge.
Yasmin Sarwar, Chief Education Officer
As the architect of the curriculum design at OIC Oxford, I continue to follow our students’ post-OIC journeys with immense pride and joy. Our goal is to build the foundation of a successful career and fulfilling life by mapping out a personalised journey for every student, whilst providing them with all the support they need: academic, career-related, and pastoral.
I am delighted to see my academic vision and strategy being implemented at the new campus in Brighton. I hope that your time here will be a start of a uniquely fulfilling and rewarding period of your life.
Andrew Gillespie, Executive Principal
Our Founding Principal will bring the ethos and approach that Yasmin and the team have created at OIC Oxford to our new school in Brighton. In this magnificent setting by the sea students from the age of 13 will benefit from the excellent teaching and fantastic modern facilities and all the features of approach at Oxford such as the small classes, expert teaching and a focus on Strategic Global Pathways (page 8). Our students will leave with the skills, qualifications, confidence and resilience that enables them to thrive in their future studies and careers.
I am very much looking forward to working with Tess and Yasmin to bring this vision to life.
Listen to Andrew and Yasmin talking all about OIC Brighton in a recent PIE Chat Live session – Click here
An ideal environment
Situated in stunning countryside just a few miles from Brighton city centre, the campus provides the perfect setting for building a vibrant, international community of students and staff. Students will be taught by teachers of exceptional quality, all of whom are experts in their field, and their studies will be complemented by a full Supercurricular programme, designed to stretch them and nurture their talents.

A beautiful, modern, safe campus
The multi-million-pound development will include everything a student could need within a stunning 80,000-square-metre campus.
Preserving the original Georgian building of Ovingdean Hall, the renovation will be completed in two phases:
Phase 1 will be completed in Summer 2023 and will include boarding capacity for 240 students, modern teaching facilities, a common room and student cafe, a dining hall, a medical centre, a gym, a prayer room and a learning resource centre.
Phase 2 will be completed in Summer 2024, with additional boarding, a communal hall and a fitness centre.
Enrol from age 13
In addition to the successful A-Level and one-year GCSE programmes run at OIC Oxford, we are delighted to introduce to Brighton a Pre-GCSE programme starting from Year 9 and a full, two-year GCSE programme starting from Year 10.
From our Year 9 Pre-GCSE students to our Year 13 A-Level students, each will learn key study, research, leadership and teamwork skills which, along with our extensive Supercurricular programme, focus on preparing them for the next stage of their academic career.
OIC Brighton students enjoy small classes, specialist teachers and the career focus of their Strategic Global Pathway. These benefits, paired with the academic culture of the college, help to take our students to the height of their potential.
We also assess our students weekly to pinpoint their strengths and weaknesses, which allows us to offer the exact support they need: academic, career-related, or simply emotional.


OIC by the sea
The campus is located just 10 minutes from the coast, so students can experience the fresh air of the English Channel every day.
It’s also just a few miles from the seaside city of Brighton, famous for its iconic Royal Pavillion and lively piers. The city is known for its diversity and passion for culture, creativity and sustainability. Students at OIC Brighton will have regular access to the city and all it has to offer.
OIC Brighton is under an hour from Gatwick airport (25 minutes by train), with great transport links to the rest of the south of the UK.
Proprietorial and Governing Body
Click the link below to see a full list of Governors and members of the Proprietorial Body.
OIC Brighton Policies
Click the link below to see the full list of policies for OIC Brighton.