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Lancing College

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Lancing College
(formerly College of St Mary and St Nicholas)
File:Lancing logo.jpg
Location
Map
Lancing, West Sussex
,
West Sussex

England
Information
TypeCoeducational Independent school
Motto'Beati Mundo Corde'
(Blessed are the true in heart)
Established1848
FounderNathaniel Woodard
HeadmasterJonathan Gillespie
Grades3rd Form - U6th Form
CampusRural Downland; 550 acres
Colour(s)Blue and White
AffiliationWoodard School
Websitewww.lancingcollege.co.uk

Lancing College is a co-educational English Independent school, founded in 1848 by Rev. Nathaniel Woodard, whose aim was to provide education based on sound principle and sound knowledge, firmly grounded in the Christian faith. Typical of Public Schools, the College places emphasis on what might be described as traditional strengths - Anglican Christianity (chapel attendance is compulsory for all pupils, regardless of their religious beliefs), sporting prowess (notably football, squash, tennis and sailing), and preparation of pupils for entry to the Russell and 1994 Group of Universities.

File:24 lancing college.jpg
The College from the East

Overview

The college is based in 550 acres of countryside in West Sussex near the village of Lancing, west of the city of Brighton and Hove, on the south coast of England. The College is situated on a hill which is part of the South Downs and the campus dominates the local landscape. The school is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference. Girls were first admitted in 1971. The school is dominated by a huge Gothic revival chapel, and follows a high church Anglican tradition. The College of St Mary and St Nicholas (as it was originally known) was intended for the sons of upper middle classes and professional men; in time this became Lancing College, moving to its present site in 1857.

The school's buildings of the 1850s were designed by the architect Richard Cromwell Carpenter, with later ones by John William Simpson.

Lancing College boards boys and girls between the ages of 13 and 18 at a cost of about £24,000 a year. A small number of the pupils attend Lancing on academic and musical scholarships provided by the school; of the other pupils, some may receive some kind of bursary.

The College has many notable past pupils. Former pupils are referred to as 'OL's'.

School life

The School day begins with 'callover' early in the morning, ending around 6pm with sports during the afternoons of alternate days. At 7pm there are two hours of 'evening school' where pupils can make use of the new libraries, the music and art schools and technology facilities. Pupils are also expected to attend lessons on Saturday mornings.

Whilst the College has many well resourced and excellent academic departments, the school has a particularly strong Classics department; with a large number of pupils studying Latin, Greek and Classical Civilisation. The school also has an outstanding mathematics faculty with the examination results indicating national excellence.

The College is divided up into houses, each house resident to around 70 pupils.

House Colours Number Gender Type Housemaster/mistress Named after
Head's Red/Rose 1 M Day Mr A Arnold formerly The Head Master's House
Second's Silver/Maroon 2 M Boarding Mr D Connolly formerly The Second Master's House
School Purple/Silver 3 M Boarding Dr A Betts consists of the former Old's and Sanderson Houses
Field's Rose/White 4 F Boarding Mrs H Dugdale The Rev. Edmund Field
Gibbs' Silver/Purple 5 M Boarding Mr M Smith Henry Martin Gibbs
Sankey's Green 6 F Day Miss N Dragonetti John Sankey
Teme Green/blue 7 M Boarding Dr S Norris The River Teme
Manor Grey 8 F Boarding Mrs A Stone Lancing Manor house, location of the school during WW2
Handford Blue 9 F Boarding Mrs C Palmer Basil Handford
Lancing Lower Quad

Each house has a distinctive set of 'colours' which are awarded to students for merit and/or commitment for representing the house. The award allows male student to wear a house tie.

Besides academic study pupils are involved in activities that include football, rugby, tennis, squash, badminton, lacrosse, basketball, fives, hockey, running, debating, farming, riding, clay pigeon shooting, Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, sailing, and the Combined Cadet Force. Current competitive sporting success lies within the Football and Squash teams. The school has a 200 strong Combined Cadet Force with Army and Royal Air Force sections.

Music and drama also play very important roles in school life. Besides boasting two theatres (one open-air) and regular productions, Lancing has a strong tradition of choral and orchestral development. Large numbers of pupils receive instrumental tuition and house music competitions help to foster this part of College life.

Academic faculty

Senior management and departmental heads include:

  • Second Master: Mr Richard Biggs
  • Senior Master: Mr Christopher Doidge
  • Senior Mistress: Mrs Hilary Dugdale
  • Director of Studies: Dr Stephen Cornford
  • Director of Boarding: Mr David Austin
  • Director of IT: Mr Neil Allen
  • Head of English: Mr Oliver Ridley
  • Head of Maths: Mr Richard Tanner
  • Head of Classics: Dr Duncan Barker
  • Head of History: Mr John Wilks
  • Head of Modern Languages: Dr Mark Palmer
  • Head of Physics: Dr Roger Wheeler
  • Head of Biology: Mr Phillip Dale
  • Head of Chemistry: Mr Andrew Williamson
  • Head of Psychology: Mr Phillip Dale
  • Head of Geography: Mr Christopher Foster
  • Head of Economics: Mr Jim Sherrel
  • Head of Business studies: Mrs Jan Hayward-Voss
  • Head of Sport: Mr Roger Pithey
  • Head of PE: Mr David Mann
  • Head of Music: Mr Ian Morgan-Williams
  • Head of Chapel Music: Mr Neil Cox
  • Head of Art: Miss Caroline Pringle
  • Head of Drama: Mr Matt Smith

Music

Lancing has rich and prolific links to all performing arts, particularly music. With numerous school ensembles, instrumental tuition and former pupils such as Peter Pears, the College is able to support talented young musicians through extensive instrumental scholarships. Pupils regularly win organ and choral scholarships to both Oxford and Cambridge Universities and participate in national ensembles. The current HoD is Ian Morgan Williams and the Director of Chapel Music is Neil Cox.

College Farm

Lancing College Farm Project provides for students wishing to develop their agricultural, veterinary and conservation interests. The daily working farm of sheep, rabbits, poultry, goats and pigs gives students practical experience as well as teaching farm administration.


Chapel

College Chapel

The foundation stone of the College Chapel was laid in 1868, but the Chapel itself was not finished in Woodard's lifetime. In fact, the Chapel remains unfinished. It stands at about 50 metres(with foundations going down 20 metres into the ground), but the original plans called for a tower at the West end which would raise the height to 100 metres. One reason that the Chapel ended up as high as it did was that Woodard, insisted that it be built to its full height at one end first, so that even if he died before completion the height could not be cut down to save money. The Chapel is built in the English gothic style of the 14th century, with 13th century French influences. It was designed by R. H. Carpenter and William Slater, and is built of Sussex sandstone from Scaynes Hill.

The Chapel was dedicated to St Mary and St Nicholas in 1911, although the College used the finished Crypt (which now houses the art school) from 1875. Inside can be found, amongst other things, the tomb of the founder, two organs and a huge rose window designed by Stephen Dykes Bower said to be the second largest rose window in the country, after York Minster. The Chapel is open to the public every day, Monday to Saturday from 10.00 until 16.00, and Sunday from 12.00 until 16.00. Full school services are held every Wednesday morning during term time at 08.35, and on certain Sundays throughout the year. There is also a Eucharist every morning at 07.40, and Benediction on a Friday evening.

Campus

File:Upper quad.jpg
Upper quad, Lancing College

Most school buildings and boarding houses are positioned around the central quads with the chapel dominating the local landscape. The school has an operational farm, river access, squash courts, fives courts, swimming pool, a multigym, weightroom, two all weather astro-turfs, twenty-eight tennis courts, two theatres, two libraries and extensive classrooms.

The school is the only one in the county to have Eton fives courts [citation needed]The Upper Field's cricket square is highly regarded.

Jonathan Gillespie became the headmaster of the school in September 2006, moving from his position as a housemaster at Fettes College; Gillespie studied Languages at Cambridge University.

Modern day and trivia

File:Teme House Lancing.jpg
Teme House, Lancing College. Housemaster:Dr Norris

In 2006, the Daily Telegraph ranked Lancing College's A-Level results as 107th for Independent Schools (with 81% rated A or B).[1] +

In 2005, the Daily Telegraph ranked Lancing College's A-Level results as 76th for Independent Schools. [2].

When the rules of Association Football were created in 1863, elements of the Lancing game were adopted, along with the rules established at Eton, Harrow, Rugby, Westminster and Winchester and Charterhouse.

Unusually for a Public School, the Boys' preferred winter sport is football.

With the only Eton Fives courts in the county[citation needed], Lancing is a member of the Eton Fives association.

Southern Railway School's Class

The School lent its name to the fifth steam locomotive (Engine 904) in the Southern Railway's Class V of which there were 40.This Class was also known as the Schools Class because all 40 of the class were named after prominent English public schools. 'Lancing', as it was called, was built in 1930, along with the rest of the initial ten locomotives in the class. The locomotive bearing the School's name was withdrawn in the early 1960s.

Developments

Upper quadrangle from the great school

Despite the principles of Victorian austerity on which the school was founded, Lancing has recently completed a number of developments that include a new Design Centre. A new Art School is to be built, due for completion in 2008. A stained glass window has been commissioned in memory of Trevor Huddleston OL.

A Development Council is operating under the chairmanship of Sir Tim Rice. It acts in an advisory capacity on development and fundraising matters, and members include:

  • Sir Tim Rice, multi award-winning Lyricist and President of The Lancing Club
  • Charles Anson, PR Consultant and former Press Secretary to HM The Queen
  • Nigel Bennett, Governor Lancing College and Head of Investment Strategy for property at Deutsche Bank
  • Lady Conway, Governor Lancing College, Artist and former Adjunct Professor of Southeast Asian Studies at Parsons, New School University, New York
  • Roger Dancey MA, Former Chief Master, King Edward’s School, Birmingham
  • Sir Michael Darrington, Chairman and founder Greggs Bakeries
  • Christopher Hampton, Academy Award winning playwright
  • Barnabas Hurst-Bannister, Chairman, St Pauls Traveler Syndicate Management
  • Frederick Johnston, Former Chairman, Johnston Press
  • Sir Christopher Meyer, Chairman Press Complaints Committee and former Ambassador to Washington
  • Robin Reeve, Chairman of Governors Lancing College and former Head Master, KCS Wimbledon
  • Capt. Graham Robinson, Chairman Lancing Club and former Captain, Royal Navy
  • Christopher Weston, Business Consultant and Director and former Chairman, Phillips Auction House
  • Ian McLean, Director of Development, Lancing College

Lancing terminology and jargon

File:Photo0042 Correction.jpg
Lower quadrangle

Much of Lancing slang is the same as other public school slang. However, there are numerous Lancing-specific phrases, including:

  • Alleys - Wooden cubicles with desk etc., workplaces for Third Formers
  • Blue Book - Diary of events (formerly a list of all members of College)
  • Classifications - Three-weekly assessment of work
  • College Extra Duties - Sanction involving manual work, Monday and Friday afternoons (formerly known as Hard Labour)
  • College Sergeant - Head of security and organiser of College Extra Duties; based in the CCF offices near the Sports Hall
  • Congo (Congers) - Congregational (hymn) Practice, Tuesday mornings, in Chapel
  • Daily Yellow Sheet - Daily information sheet, distributed at lunch time
  • Distinctions - Award for excellent work; pupil sees the Head Master
  • Evening School - 7pm to 9pm (or later for older students) homework session
  • Head Master's Assembly (Head Man's) - Friday morning assembly, in Chapel
  • House Tutor - A teacher who supervises a House on some nights during the week and has a number of tutees from the house
  • Long Weekend - Boarders can leave on Saturday afternoon and return on Sunday evening
  • Short weekend - All boarders stay in; disco on Saturday, Chapel Service on Sunday. Usually first weekend after holidays
  • Pitt - Bedroom
  • Quad Bashing - socialising in the Upper Quad
  • Rollcall - Registration in Houses
  • The Cavity - Tuck shop in Gibbs' house
  • The Grubber - Tuck shop
  • Yellow/Orange/Green/Light Blue/Red Book - Homework diary, also for recording grades etc. (Only "Red Book" until 2002)

Notable alumni: Old Lancing (OL's)

The College Drive

Notable alumni include

Arts

Literature

Theatre & cinema

Politics and law

Sciences and engineering

The Church

  • Michael Ball, suffragan Bishop of Jarrow and later Bishop of Truro
  • Trevor Huddleston, Archbishop of Tanzania and President of the Anti-Apartheid Association
  • Peter John Ball, brother of Michael Ball, monk, suffragan Bishop of Lewes and later Bishop of Gloucester
  • Brigadier Alastair I.H. Fyfe, High Commisionar Wells Cathedral
  • Very Reverend Michael McCausland Gibbs, Archdeacon of Matebeleland, Dean of Chester

Journalism

Armed forces

Miscellaneous

Notable former staff members include

Hoe Court

South West side of the College

The college owns a number of properties based along the College Drive and all the properties in Hoe Court, a road extending from the rear of the College towards the village of Lancing.

Head Boys

2004/5 Michael Johnson, Timothy Robson
2005/6 Aaron Pattison
2006/7 Oliver Tritton

Head Girls

2004/5: Ros Worcester
2005/6: Polly Graham
2006/7: Laura Thomas

Lancing College Preparatory School at Mowden

Lancing College, in 2002, purchased Mowden Preparatory School in Hove. The school had been for many years a principal feeder school for the College. The current Headmaster is Mr Alan Laurent. The school's headmaster is a member of IAPS. Lancing Prep Website

Headmasters of Lancing College

  • The Rev Henry Jacobs (Aug - Dec 1848)
  • The Rev Charles Edward Moberly (1849 - 1851)
  • The Rev John Branthwaite (1851 - 1859)
  • The Rev Henry Walford (1859 - 1861)
  • The Rev Robert Edward Sanderson (1862 - 1889)
  • The Rev Harry Ward McKenzie (1889 - 1894)
  • The Rev Ambrose John Wilson (1895 - 1901)
  • Bernard Henry Tower (1901 - 1909)
  • The Rev Canon Henry Thomas Bowlby (1909 - 1925)
  • Cuthbert Harold Blakiston (1925 - 1934)
  • Frank Cecil Doherty (1935 - 1953)
  • John Christopher Dancy (1953 - 1961)
  • Sir Erskine William Gladstone (1961 - 1969)
  • Ian David Stafford Beer (1969 - 1981)
  • James Stephen Woodhouse (1981 - 1993)
  • Christopher John Saunders (1993 - 1998)
  • Peter M. Tinniswood (1998 - 2005)
  • Richard R. Biggs (acting, 2005-2006)
  • Jonathan Gillespie (Sept 2006 - )
  1. ^ "Martin Bentley MBE article". Retrieved 2007-03-14.
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