Founded in 1848 by the Rev Nathaniel Woodard and the first of the Woodard schools. It has a splendid site on a spur of the South Downs overlooking the sea to the south and the Weald to the north. The superb grounds comprise about 550 acres and include the college farm. The main buildings - handsome examples of the collegiate style of architecture - are grouped round two main quadrangles. There have been many developments in recent years, including a modern art school, a new library, technology centre and a dance studio. Primarily a Church of England school, but pupils of all denominations are accepted. Girls have been admitted to the sixth form since 1971 and at 13 from 2000. The college has a magnificent Chapel and a strong tradition of choral and orchestral music. A large and well-qualified staff allows a staff:pupil ratio of about 1:8. A broad general education is provided. Academic standards are high and examination results very good. Music and art are an important part of the education of all pupils and, there is also a strong drama department. A good range of sports and games is available and there is a variety of extra-curricular activities. There is a flourishing CCF contingent (Army and RAF sections) and a farming group which helps to run the school farm. A particularly active social services organisation helps the local community and also people in the Camberwell district of London.
Pupils: Age range 13-18; 523 pupils, 198 day (144 boys, 54 girls), 325 boarding (205 boys, 120 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own exam used. State school entry, 3% of main intake plus 9% to sixth form. Regular intake from own prep school, Lancing College Preparatory School in Hove.
30 pa scholarships and exhibitions, awarded at 13 and 16, value ranging £1000 to 50% of fees. At 13, academic, music, all-rounder, art, drama, sport; for new entrants at 16, academic, art, music and organ scholarships.
Head Master: Jonathan Gillespie, in post from 2006. Educated at Bedford Modern School and Cambridge University. Previously Housemaster and Head of Modern Languages at Fettes and taught French and German at Highgate School. Teaching staff: 58 full time, 4 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 45.
GCSE: 92 pupils in fifth, 97% gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 107 in upper sixth, 36% passing in 4+ subjects, 62% in 3 subjects, with an average final point score of 369.
97% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (30+% after a gap year), 7% to Oxbridge. 5% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 18% in science and engineering, 45% in humanities and social sciences, 5% in art and design, 27% in vocational subjects eg business studies, physiotherapy. Others typically go on to further education.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 22+ AS/A-level subjects offered. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level. 25% take science A-levels; 52% arts/humanities; 15% both. Key skills integrated into sixth form courses and activities. Special provision: Learning support. Languages: French, German, Italian and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. 30% take GCSE in more than 1 language. Regular exchanges (France, Germany and Spain). Euro-days for fifth and sixth form to stimulate interest in Europe and give information (careers, political institutions, etc). ICT: 150 networked computers for pupil use.
Music: Over 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. 7 musical groups including orchestras, chamber group. Drama: Drama and theatre arts GCSE, AS and A-level offered. Some pupils are involved in school productions and majority in house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 30 take GCSE, 20 A-level. Pottery, photography also offered.
Sport: No compulsory sports but all must take exercise. Soccer (Advent term), hockey (Lent term) and cricket (summer) main team games for boys; hockey, netball (winter) for girls. Other options: Eton fives, swimming, cross-country, fencing, shooting, basketball, rugby, squash, tennis, sailing, golf, rounders and athletics. County squash and cricket champions. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF, community service, school service or theatre work compulsory for 3 years. Up to 30 clubs, eg astronomy, electronics, trout and salmon fishing, sixth-form societies.
Uniform: School uniform worn; more choice in upper sixth. Houses and prefects: Prefects, head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects, appointed after wide consultation with staff and pupils. Religion: Church of England. Attendance at religious worship compulsory on Wednesdays and festivals. Social: Rotary debating and public-speaking jointly with other schools. Exchanges with France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Regular expeditions to Malawi. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals self-service. School shop. Alcohol permitted only on specific occasions in sixth form.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect house or teacher's detention; Head Master's detention on subsequent occasion; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises are liable for expulsion after consideration of all circumstances.
Some 60% have single study bedrooms. Single-sex houses of about 60, divided by age and same as competitive houses; separate sixth-form girls' house. Resident qualified nurse. Pupils allowed to provide/cook own food. Two fixed exeats a term; other weekends flexible. Sixth formers may visit local town.
OLs run by the Development Director, Catherine Reeve (tel 01273 465708 or email clr@lancing.org.uk)
Tim Rice (lyricist); Christopher Hampton and David Hare (playwrights); Tom Sharpe and Evelyn Waugh (authors); Richard Meade (Olympic rider); Jamie Theakston (TV and radio presenter); Christopher Meyer (former British Ambassador to the United States); Admiral Sir Robert Woodard (former Commander of the Royal Yacht Britannia); Lord Browne Wilkinson (Vice Chancellor of Royal Courts of Justice).
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