Introducing ECi310: An Exciting New Chapter for St Andrew’s Prep
We are delighted to share some significant and exciting news about the future of St Andrew’s Prep.
ECi310 is a landmark vision that will see St Andrew’s Prep relocate to a new purpose built home within the grounds of Eastbourne College, bringing our two schools together on one campus for the first time in our combined 310 year history.
ECi310 represents the next chapter in that shared story and a long term investment in the future of both schools.
Why now?
St Andrew’s Prep and Eastbourne College have been part of one charity, Eastbourne College Incorporated (ECi), since joining together in 2010. Over the past sixteen years, that partnership has grown naturally through shared staff and facilities, our unique Bridge Curriculum and the longstanding progression of pupils from St Andrew’s Prep to Eastbourne College.
In the context of the changing education landscape, we believe the time is right to strengthen our bond in a bold, intentional and more meaningful way.
ECi310 is a proactive and carefully considered response; one that honours everything that has made St Andrew’s Prep and Eastbourne College so distinctive over the last 310 years, helping to futureproof the legacy, strength and sustainability of both schools for generations to come.
This key milestone will establish us as the only provider of all-through independent education in Eastbourne for pupils aged 4 to 18 on one single campus.
Our vision
The new Prep school will combine the sensitive restoration of historic buildings with thoughtfully designed new facilities, creating a self-contained environment at the heart of the Eastbourne College campus.
It will have its own dedicated entrance and age appropriate learning spaces for every year group, alongside specialist facilities including SEND provision, a wellbeing hub, secure outdoor play and learning areas and a new multi-purpose hall.
For our pupils, this means a nurturing environment designed to let children stay younger for longer, one that feels entirely their own while benefitting from being part of a wider educational community.
As pupils progress through the school, their connection to wider College life will grow deliberately and gradually through shared facilities, sport and co curricular opportunities, ensuring that the transition into Year 9 feels natural, familiar and fully supported.
Tom Gregory, Headmaster, said: “St Andrew’s Prep will always retain its unique character. The warmth, the care, and the close-knit community our families know and value will move with us. ECi310 provides our children with an exceptional new setting, offering richer opportunities at every stage of their journey, and ensuring that the transition to senior school feels entirely natural when the time comes.”
There will be no disruption to day-to-day life at St Andrew’s Prep at the current Meads site while the new Prep school is being built. Pupils will continue to benefit from the same exceptional teaching, pastoral care, co-curricular opportunities and sense of community that families know and value today. And when the time comes to move to the new Prep school, every stage will be carefully planned, clearly communicated and fully supported for all pupils and families.
What happens next?
This marks the beginning of an important journey for our schools and our wider community.
Initial design concepts are now being shared with parents, pupils, staff, alumni and neighbours, and we are actively inviting feedback at this early stage of the process. The project will then move through the statutory planning process ahead of the construction beginning.
St Andrew’s Prep families are invited to an exclusive preview event on Thursday 7 May 2026, with an exhibition in The Durlacher from 3.00pm to 7.00pm and a presentation from Tom Gregory, Headmaster at 5.30pm.
Thereafter, the exhibition will move to Eastbourne College, The Birley Centre, 4 Carlisle Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4EF, where the wider community, including alumni, neighbours and local residents are invited to view the proposals on Thursday 14 May 2026 from 10.00am to 7.00pm and Friday 15 May 2026 from 9.00am to 3.00pm.
Subject to planning approval, works are not expected to begin until early 2027, with the new Prep school planned to open during the 2028 to 2029 academic year.
Further information, including the initial design concepts, project timeline and frequently asked questions, is available on the dedicated ECi310 website, where members of the community can also leave comments and ask questions.
*These artist’s impressions are at an early stage, they are shared to illustrate our vision, not as formal or final designs. Eci310 is subject to planning and approval.
