What the Good Schools Guide says about Lancing College

What the Good Schools Guide says about Lancing College

Head master

Since 2014, Dominic Oliver MPhil, previously managing head at Bedales School and head of English at Malvern College.

Grammar school educated, read English at University of Sheffield, first teaching post at RGS Worcester, near which he still has a home. Married to Lydia, a psychoanalyst, with two sons, both of whom attended the school.

A former thespian (wouldn’t reveal details) and lover of Shakespeare (subject of his MPhil, University of Oxford), theatre posters adorn his study walls alongside an eclectic mix of artefacts including the school report of alumnus, Evelyn Waugh. Miniature cardboard cut-outs of Biden and Trump rest upon a sideboard, ‘Props for the debating classes I teach.’ Keen to continue his presence in the classroom, ‘Otherwise I just see saints or sinners,’ he says, although we’re sure it’s more of the former.

Becoming a headmaster was perhaps inevitable, ‘I’d always wanted to lead and considered going into politics.’ Thankfully this ‘modest’ and ‘brilliant’ head chose education and we are certain pupils who have crossed his path are all-the-better for it. ‘He runs a school that delivers,’ praised a parent. Another told us, ‘He has the right mix: confident and likeable, open and welcoming.’ Many agreed on the school’s ‘family feel’.

Lancing is more ‘buzzy’ and ‘cosmopolitan’, and the iconic chapel has finally been completed during his tenure. Foundation scholars’ bursary programme is close to his heart, ‘[Private schools] should not just be about the perpetuation of privilege,’ he says. The Heresy Project, where students take an orthodox opinion and challenge it (their work is subsequently published in a journal and kept for posterity) and Portraits, a new exhibition of paintings of modern-day Lancing (people) and a welcome addition to the all-white and male portraits of heads to date, are his brainchildren.

We, as well as parents we spoke to, were interested to know what’s next for the school and for him professionally?

‘I completely love it here,’ he says, adding that Lancing ‘feels like a home.’ Masterplan afoot for a modest increase in numbers, but stresses, ‘Children are known here, and we don’t want to take away from that.’ A rolling programme of improvements is also on the cards: more classrooms, enhanced sporting facilities, possibly a new boarding house. We do hope the whole school will still be able to fit inside the chapel.

Leaving Mr Oliver’s study, we spot a quotation from Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 2 tacked to the wall: ‘Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.’ Surely not the case for this erudite and committed head.

He runs a school that delivers.

He has the right mix; confident and likeable, open and welcoming.

CURRENT LANCING PARENTS

Entrance

Academically selective (although slightly less so than some local rivals) with 100+ places on offer at 13+, around 30 per cent coming from school’s own preps at Hove and Worthing. Entrance via PreTest, assessed in year 6, or for some, year 7.

All those applying in year 8, including international students, sit a cognitive

Exit

Around 15 per cent leave after GCSEs, but school insists it doesn’t cull. ‘We have an academic bar, but it’s administered humanely. If you take someone at 13, you have a duty to look after them.’

At 18, over half to Russell Group universities. King’s College London, Durham and Manchester all popular. Two to Oxbridge in 2022, plus four medics.

ability test, essay paper and interview. ‘We want children to be interesting,’ says school. Occasional places at 14+. Sixth form is increasingly popular with 40+ openings at this entry point; students need five grade 6s at GCSE (inc English and maths) and a 7 for certain subjects. All are interviewed and sit a cognitive ability test plus essay paper. Grade 7 or above needed to study the subject at A level, maths and sciences require grade 8 or above.

Eleven overseas in 2022 – to University of Amsterdam; Chapel Hill, North Carolina; University of Michigan; Melbourne University; IE University, Madrid; Polimoda Fashion School, Florence; Hotelschool, The Hague; McMaster University, Canada; Pennsylvania State University; University of Toronto; University of Queensland.

Art, design and architecture are popular degree choices – a love of beauty, perhaps, being a happy side effect of living on this ravishing campus.

Latest results

In 2022, 55 per cent A*/A at A level (78 per cent A*-B).

In 2019 (the last pre-pandemic results), 46 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 44 per cent A*/A at A level (71 per cent A*-B).

Teaching and learning

Average class size remains around 18, smaller in sixth form and the focus is on ‘learning to learn.’ School aims to maintain a balance between academic challenge and the wider development of character. Parents approve, ‘It’s not all about the grades,’ and ‘not super alpha’ they told us. Several were also impressed by the data the school collects and monitors for each child. As one long-standing staff member put it, ‘The pace is quick, but the care is kind.’

True to form, head of academics told us that Lancing is keen not to recruit a particular ‘type’, and it shows. We encountered an eclectic and diverse bunch of teachers who, according to a sixth former, ‘Will drop anything to help you.’ Obvious strong rapport between older students and staff – light banter and mutual respect on show. Parents we spoke to were also full of praise, ‘Happy kids, happy staff’ ‘fabulous’, ‘flying academically’. One told us how teachers had, ‘reignited a love’ of their child’s subjects.

We saw displays of algebraic mastery on the whiteboard by one student in an A level maths lesson. Traditional arrangement of desks, and largely teacher-led – students were thoroughly engaged, laptops (all students must have their own) and devices for those (few) who wished to use them.

Maths A level hugely popular, 60 per cent take it, even split across the sexes. Department is exceptionally well-run and well-resourced, many staff are Oxbridge graduates and nearly all have a degree in the subject they teach (not always the case at other schools). All pupils take higher maths paper at GCSE. Pupils praised the daily extra maths clinics, similar offering across all departments. And who wouldn’t want a maths trip to NYC?

High praise from pupils we spoke to for English, classics, history and Latin. We were gripped by an A level drama masterclass on lighting and its effects on a scene. Pupils clearly engaged and inspired by their teacher (bags of personality and charisma, belting singing voice to boot). Lesson was collaborative and participatory (we were even invited into a scene to interview the students). Shame the walls are paper thin between the theatre and the drama studio next door, slightly distracting.

At GCSE students can opt for individual or combined science. Languages on offer besides the usual include Mandarin, Russian and ancient Greek. GCSE religious studies not compulsory.

A parent summed up the teaching style wonderfully: ‘It is a more holistic, rounded approach, which does not perhaps help the school’s standing in the percentage of children achieving a grade nine but does go some way towards explaining why so many OLs wind up in senior positions within charities and government.’

Learning Support and SEN

Much parent praise for ‘amazing’ SEN team consisting of one fully qualified SENCO, a specialist assessor and teacher, plus two part-time STEM teachers.

‘Really experienced’, ‘accessible’, ‘knowledgeable’, were amongst the accolades from those whose children receive support. Pupils value the study support on offer to all, especially around exam times. EAL provided for international students although basic English screening is done at application stage. One in six students are on the learning support register but not all have a diagnosed specific learning difficulty.

‘Finding something you like to do’ is one of the school’s strengths and with such an array on offer, we can see why.

The arts and extracurricular

With around 200+ activities on the co-curricular programme there’s ‘something for all’, as one parent put it. Pupils say that ‘finding something you like to do’ is one of the school’s strengths and with such an array on offer, we can see why.

New equestrian centre is a shining star of the co-curricular show – some pupils bring their own mounts for the term, others use the centre’s ponies. ‘It’s so calming to be able to wander down to see my horse at the end of a busy day,’ one told us. Perhaps less soothing in the winter, though.

Open-air theatre, opened by Agatha Christie in 1972, felt like a magical spot we’d accidentally stumbled upon, where Puck might leap out at any moment. Surrounding the natural grass stage, seats are carved into the hillside; a spot of graffiti on a few brought us back to the modern era. Backstage (read: behind a large hedge) sit props from the recent production of Speaking in Tongues, described as ‘adventurous’, ‘ambitious,’ and ‘truly outstanding’. Indoor theatre relatively small but lacks for nothing and is not subject to the weather.

Choir practice was without question the most mesmerising this reviewer has had the privilege to see and hear. The chapel’s crypt makes for a biblical backdrop and acoustics are superb.

‘Every bit the equal of Kings College Choir,’ said a regular evensong attendee of the chapel choir’s rendition of Allegri’s Miserere. Music is embedded in the soul of this school and there are ample opportunities to get involved and an abundance of concerts for all abilities and genres.

DT repeatedly mentioned as being outstanding and popular, ‘The DT space is what sold the college to us,’ said one parent. We concur, views of poppy fields stretching out towards the sea and limitless natural light make for an uplifting space. Older students had recently built a car, to be showcased at nearby Goodwood motor circuit. Several go on to take DT and product design courses at university. Increasingly a 50/50 boy/girl split at GCSE and A level.

Enormous design and drawing space on the top floor lends itself to creativity and freeing the mind. Amazing display of sustainable fashion for a recent EPQ project including a dress made entirely of leaves and wood; impressive, as the textile focus here isn’t huge, a few lowly sewing machines on a table appeared to be the set-up.

Art block is open six days a week so students can drop in and work on projects in their free time, which, says head of art, ‘many choose to do.’ Exhibits of GCSE and A level artwork on display and parents can come to view on one of the many open-gallery evenings.

Sport

‘Not just for the gifted,’ said a parent of non-sporty child, a sentiment shared by most pupils and parents we chatted to; ‘Very inclusive,’ seemed the overall picture. A lone concern that ‘it could be frustrating for really sporty types’ was countered by the group of impressive sixth formers we chatted to. One piped up they’d ‘dedicate even more time to sport’ if made head for the day.

A football school, despite head of sport herself being a capped England rugby player. Rugby is an option for all, though. Cricket (for all) is also popular, ‘Cricket is

cricket, not girls’ cricket,’ we’re told, and the pitches were looking glorious on the summer’s day of our visit. Tennis courts (grass and hard) aplenty and regular matches, although none on the day we were there. We hear Polly the food truck provides excellent match fodder to spectators, too. Netball and hockey in the winter and autumn terms. Some parents grumbled that communication of fixtures could be timelier and more robust.

Indoor swimming pool, home to LC Swim Club, is affiliated with Swim England and includes children from the local community within its training schedule and teams. CCF, DofE, service in the community and a host of niche sports such as golf, climbing, sailing, fencing have strong take-ups.

‘Not just for the gifted,’ said a parent of non-sporty child, a sentiment shared by most pupils and parents we chatted to; ‘Very inclusive,’ seemed the overall picture.

Boarders

Very much a boarding school with nearly 70 per cent full boarding across the ten boarding houses (five boys’ houses, four girls’ one co-ed) all dotted around the historic campus. House choices are decided by the school prior to entry, although consideration is given to any sibling and historical connections. School tries to accommodate requests but can’t guarantee them in every case, ‘We need to ensure a good balance, thinking about prior prep school relationships, opportunities to build new friendships and nationalities.’

No overt cool/sporty/brainy house, although sources tell us Teme House is ‘very international’, and Handford is ‘buzzing but laid back’. Sankey’s, the girls’ day house, has a large garden and is nearest the equestrian centre so may suit riders.

Third formers begin in rooms of three or four and end up in solo rooms by the time they reach sixth form. Rooms we saw in Handford were modern, light and airy – lots of pretty gowns hanging up for that evening’s leaver’s ball; fifth form floor known as The Penthouse is home to the best views we’ve seen yet. Houses are mixed ages with no complaints from parents or pupils, who like the ‘all in together’ feeling.

Pupils praised ‘big support team’ and ‘strong support system’ and talked of a ‘sense of profound friendship’ when you full board and of how ‘it makes you comfortable with one another, including staff’. House ‘families’ ensure each child has a peer network within the house to whom they can talk and get advice from as they move through the years. Parents say the flexibility of the boarding is ‘best of both worlds’ and that pupils ‘can build up the boarding over time’. Flexis ‘always have their own bed and their own room,’ we were told. All round praise for the ‘brilliant’ communications between house staff and home.

Much going on at weekends to keep boarders busy. After Saturday school and fixtures there are often pizza and movie nights, evening socials with other houses, or a whole-school game of British bulldog going on in the quad, open to all. Occasional house dinners and year-group breakfasts are well-received.

Despite boarding ethos many agreed, ‘It’s a school for everybody, it doesn’t matter if you don’t board.’ School guarantees a bed for the night for any pupil whose commitments go past 9pm, often at no extra charge.

Progressively more device and mobile phone time as children mature, a sensible approach we feel. More flexible use for overseas boarders, to make allowances for time zone differences.

Pupils praised ‘big support team’ and ‘strong support system’ and talked of a ‘sense of profound friendship’ when you full board and of how ‘it makes you comfortable with one another, including staff’.

CURRENT STUDENT

It’s a school for everybody, it doesn’t matter if you don’t board.

‘Lancing strikes a balance between old school institutions ... and more progressive places. It balances old-fashioned core values with the real world’ and is ‘building good people’.

CURRENT PARENT

Ethos and heritage

Lancing’s striking appearance –grand sweeping drive, imposing chapel, monastic-looking buildings – belies its modest heart. This is a kind and inclusive school; behind its traditions and Christian roots sit progression, equal opportunity, diversity, and freedom of thought.

Yes, religion is still a huge part of the ethos, but ‘it’s not too preachy’ say parents, although one outlier begged to differ. New chaplain has introduced an interfaith group that meets four times a term to share faith experiences; Muslim

prayer room available. This reviewer was swept into the magic during a wholeschool morning chapel service. It’s increasingly rare to see an entire senior school congregate in one magnificent space and this regular union must have a subliminal influence on the minds and souls of all present.

A parent summed up the school’s ethos: ‘Lancing strikes a balance between old school institutions such as Winchester and Harrow, and more progressive places such as Hurst and Brighton College. It balances old-fashioned core values with the real world’ and is ‘building good people’.

It’s increasingly rare to see an entire senior school congregate in one magnificent space and this regular union must have a subliminal influence on the minds and souls of all present.

All pupils have a tutor who guides them pastorally and academically and whom they get to choose once in sixth form.

Pastoral care, inclusivity and discipline

‘Children always come first,’ stresses head, who believes in academic excellence but feels ‘children are not cogs in a machine.’ He says he doesn’t want Lancing to attract a type, saying, ‘It’s ok to be quirky.’ Pupils agree, ‘This is a school for everybody.’

Pupils know who to go to for support (housemaster or housemistress first port of call for pupils and parents) and how to be a supporter themselves. Much PHSE time spent on rebuilding relationships for the younger years post-covid. Parents commented on the diversity of the PHSE programme which covers topics such as emotional intelligence for boys.

All praised the peer supporters system - over 30 hours of safeguarding training is given to those who volunteer. Whisper software that enables children to write an electronic note anonymously to a teacher without fear of any repercussions, is now in action. All pupils have a tutor who guides them pastorally and academically and whom they get to choose once in sixth form.

Head of diversity and inclusion has introduced ‘diversity and inclusion champions,’ pupils put themselves forward for the role. Pride society is now up and running and gender-neutral uniforms an option – a bold step for what

is historically a very traditional, Christian school. When asked about possible conflicts between embracing diversity and staying true to Christian values, chaplain openly responds, ‘We’re about the formation of a person.’

Staff spoke of ‘dialogue between school, child and parents,’ for matters of concern that arise. ‘Any matters raised have been dealt with very swiftly,’ said a parent. Another told us, ‘Bullying is very rare here.’ ‘Unkindness quickly and properly dealt with’ and a ‘very good balance,’ said parents of school’s discipline.

We heard mumblings about lack of choice for vegans and vegetarians on the school menu – surely the on-site kitchen with its field-to-fork approach could rustle up a few more options? However, this reviewer thought the salad bar was restaurant worthy.

A few expressed disappointments that there was ‘not much’ on offer for new parents, although one remarked it was ‘quite refreshing for parents not to be involved’ after experience with notable rival school in the area.

Comprehensive support given to leavers, with City-style exit interviews, a plethora of interview practice, university-choices guidance, and work experience. A few sixth formers praised the school’s support and validation for their decision not to take the traditional university path.

Pupils and parents

Head keen not to ‘attract a type’, and it shows. A wonderfully diverse mix of international pupils (30 per cent), Sussex-based families; 15 per cent from London and farther afield.

Handy school bus to London at weekends. Very much a boarding school with a few day pupils, children need to be able to cope with being busy morning, noon and night as day ends at 6pm and most day pupils stay beyond. Parents are a down-to-earth mix of professionals,

alumni, traditional, with varied means backgrounds, all wanting the best for their children. They’re generous, too, with 95 per cent paying into the Foundation Scholars’ programme.

Very strong alumni following. OL’s are always ‘kind, modest, generous’, according to one parent, who added, ‘You’d be hard-pressed to find an OL you didn’t warm to.’ Notable former pupils include Evelyn Waugh, Tim Rice, Tom Sharpe, Jamie Theakston, Alex Horne, Alice Capsey, Mason Crane and Akuffo Addo.

Money matters

Around a third on some level of financial assistance; Foundationer Programme provides fully funded places.

Scholarships (up to 10 per cent off fees) can be topped up via a means-tested

bursary and are only available to UK students.

Y12s can apply for an organ scholarship, alongside the many others in the usual fields available across the year groups.

The last word

There’s something special about Lancing, where tradition results in subtle transformation and the ‘right level of pressure’ yields both academic and personal success.

‘The school is excellent at finding something a child is good at,’ declared a long-standing parent. We agree.