Varndean School
Community secondary school in Brighton (Brighton and Hove).
Location
iSchool location from Get Information about Schools. Nearby schools are coloured by phase. Open Map+ for a full-screen map with neighbourhood deprivation (England only).About
iWritten by WhatSchool from official school data (Get Information about Schools, DfE and Ofsted).Welcome Varndean School is a place where all people matter. A school where individuality is welcomed, celebrated and shared amongst our whole school community.
Our whole community benefits from a wide range of learning experiences, alongside a firm belief that a strong community approach to wellbeing gives students the confidence, conviction and courage to exceed their own expectations. Watch video Read More Welcome Varndean School is a place where all people matter. Watch video
Enrichment
23 activitiesiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Badminton
- Band
- Basketball
- Creative Writing
- Cricket
- Dance
- Debating
- Drama
- Football
- Gymnastics
- Hockey
- Mandarin
- Netball
- Pottery
- Rugby
- Skateboarding
and 7 more
Awards
4 awardsiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- ArtsmarkArts and culture
- Carnegie Centre of ExcellenceRecognised award
- Duke of EdinburghPersonal development
- Sing UpRecognised award
Key facts
- URN
- 114579
- Type
- Community school
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Admissions
- Non-selective
- Sixth form
- Does not have a sixth form
- Nursery
- No Nursery Classes
- Local authority
- Brighton and Hove
- Constituency
- Brighton Pavilion
- Setting
- Urban: Nearer to a major town or city
Governing body (11 current, 4 former)
Maintained school governing body.
Leadership
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr Ian Rodgers | Chair of Governors | Appointed by GB/board | since 2024 · until 2028 |
Full governing body
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharon Williams | Governor | Elected by parents | since 2026 · until 2030 |
| Leanne Telford | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2026 · until 2030 |
| Ali Robinson | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2026 · until 2030 |
| Caroline Mann | Governor | Elected by parents | since 2025 · until 2029 |
| Angela Simmonds | Governor | Elected by school staff | since 2024 · until 2028 |
| Mr Jon Dee | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2024 · until 2028 |
| Mr Julian Benkel | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2024 · until 2028 |
| Mr Alan Gunn | Governor | Nominated by LA and appointed by GB | since 2024 · until 2028 |
| Mr Sam Harvey | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2022 · until 2026 ends 2026 |
| Headteacher Shelley Baker | Governor | Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal | since 2021 |
| Ms Emma McCrea Former | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2023 · term ended 2026 |
| Ms Alison Ali Former | Governor | Elected by parents | since 2022 · term ended 2026 |
| Mr Alex Marsh Former | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2020 · term ended 2026 |
| Mrs Teresa Dee Former | Governance Professional - Local Authority Maintained SchoolGovernance professional | since 2008 · term ended 2026 |
Source: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools (governance records, as at 25 October 2026). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Names are shown as published; there are no addresses or contact details. Current and former are worked out from term end dates when the page loads. Object or ask for removal · Report an issue with this record