Ardingly College Junior School was established in 1912. It is well equipped to care for both boarding and day pupils.
All children enter one of 8 Houses, which are the units for competition and pastoral care. The Housemaster/mistress monitors behaviour, participation and, together with the Form Teacher, academic progress. Classes have fewer than 20 pupils and the teacher-pupil ratio is 1:10. All prep is done at school. Saturday is a normal school day but the Lower School (7-9) has half days on Wednesday and Saturday.
Musical facilities are shared with the Senior School and a child may learn any musical instrument. Practice is supervised. There are choirs and orchestras. Playing fields, swimming pool, squash and tennis courts are also shared with the Senior School. Participation in games is encouraged and matches are played against other local schools. There are Scout and Guide contingents as well as their junior counterparts. Many clubs and societies operate in the evenings, e.g. Chess, Debating, Drama, as well as games coaching. Activities replace sport on Thursday afternoons. There is Craft, Design and Technology both within and outside the curriculum.
When pupils reach the top of the school and show maturity, they are made Senior Pupils. A further 10 or so become monitors and help with the running of the school. Others are given responsibility for house, society and school activities. Chapel and Religious Education are in accordance with the teaching of the Church of England but members of other churches and faiths are accepted.
Most pupils (80%) go on to the Senior School but, each year, some move to other schools. All pupils sit the Common Entrance or Scholarship examinations.
