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Our view
‘There is a warmth and kindness to Lancing; it sings in the corridors but doesn’t take itself too seriously,’ says new head Dr Scott Crawford, and we couldn’t agree more. It’s a school community that feels more like a big, happy family, with whole-school hikes, strong friendships across year groups and even free sleepovers for day pupils if they’re there after 9pm. The king of the hill setting in the South Downs and grand architecture (there are more quads than an Oxford college) might look exclusive, but inclusivity and the freedom to be who you are is the beating heart of Lancing, and every pupil is nurtured to reach and then exceed their potential.
Where is Lancing College?
High up in the South Downs, Lancing sits on a stunning, collegiate hilltop campus with gorgeous views over the Sussex countryside in one direction and the English Channel in the other. Approached by a bucolic winding lane, the magnificent neo-gothic Lancing College chapel (the largest school chapel in the world, no less) is the first thing you notice, and it really takes your breath away – legend has it that the architect died before seeing the completion of his masterpiece, so intent was he to put perfection before conclusion.
The school has everything pupils need on-site, with playing fields stretching in all directions as far as the eye can see, then valleys and grassland rolling down towards the south coast. The popular new sixth form centre occupies a large, airy room overlooking one of the quads, which was previously the school café (which has now been relocated to one of the three fives courts). Co-curricular facilities are good, and include an onsite pool, which is currently getting an upgrade, and an impressive equestrian centre.
Day pupils can use the extensive school minibus service, which covers routes towards Horsham, Chichester and Lewes. Extra routes from Cobham and Guildford are laid on at exeats and the start and end of each term. Brighton and Worthing are both within easy reach, while Gatwick airport is a 40-minute drive away (the school runs a shuttle bus to and from the airport at the start and end of each term).
Headmaster at Lancing College
Dr Scott Crawford joined as head in September 2025 and tells us he couldn’t have hoped for a better start: ‘I’m loving it, having a whale of a time.’ He’s acting as a cover teacher at the moment in order to get to know the pupils, and has wasted no time in taking a good look at the curriculum to ensure it stretches and challenges ‘every pupil in the school’. Targeted academic support in Year 11 and reassessing the broader offering are both part of his agenda, and he’s also looking to expand service and partnership opportunities. His aim is for every child to do some type of service, taking Lancing ‘off the hill and into the villages to link in with other schools in the area’. At Magdalen College School where he’d been deputy head before coming to Lancing, he was heavily involved in supporting bursary applicants and he clearly has an inclusive, community-minded ethos, telling us he wants to ‘ensure the community in school is as representative as possible of real life’. Before Magdalen, Dr Crawford spent nine years at Highgate School, and he also has heaps of experience as an ISI inspector under his belt.
Admissions at Lancing College
The main entrance points are Years 9, 10 and 12 – all of which are almost always oversubscribed. At 13+, a significant number move up from Lancing’s affiliated prep schools in
Worthing and
Hove; external applicants need to put their names down by Year 5, and the growing popularity of the school means if you’re not quick off the mark, you’ll miss out. The school is selective, and entrance is via its own entrance test which is a similar format to ISEB taken in the autumn of Year 6. Assessment days involve collaborations and conundrums and while there is an academic focus, the school stresses they are also looking for pupils with ‘human qualities, kindness and those with an ethical edge’. Getting stuck in is a prerequisite, so admissions isn’t all about high scores on tests.
At 16+ the school takes another 50-60 stonkingly strong students (a popular option for girls arriving from single-sex schools). Sixth form places are in high demand – there’s a ratio of more than three students applying for every available spot.
Academics and destinations
Pupils all bring different strengths to the table. While the more academic are stretched, there is plenty of support for those who need it and Lancing really is a school for the full range of abilities – we were really struck by all the pupils’ can-do mentality.
Results are rising, and there’s a fantastic mix of subjects for pupils to pick from at both GCSE and, in particular, A-level. Pupils have a choice of A-levels or BTECs in business and sport – the latter are chosen because the courses are excellent and they’re highly regarded by universities that offer those subjects, such as Loughborough and Bath.
All the pupils get thorough academic preparation for the best universities. We’re hugely impressed with the level of further-education and careers support here, provided via Lancing’s dedicated ‘My Futures’ programme, which gives pupils access to everything from one-to-one coaching to careers fairs and networking opportunities with former students and pupils from a wide range of professions. There’s also extensive support with CV writing and mock interviews, plus a dedicated head of Oxbridge admissions and staff on hand who specialise in entry into overseas universities. There’s even a medical programme for those with their eye on a place at medical school, which acts as a major pull, and lots of advice on apprenticeships and alternative career paths.
Popular destinations include
Durham,
Bath, Bristol, King’s College London and Imperial College, but there’s no set route for these leavers – last year’s highlights include spots at acting school and Royal Holloway to study video games art and design.
Co-curricular at Lancing College
Sport is part of the curriculum for all, the whole way up to the U6 – and with acres of pitches on site, there’s plenty for pupils to get stuck into. The main sports are football (for both boys and girls – it’s increasingly popular with the latter who play it in the summer term), hockey, netball, tennis and swimming (an incredible elite programme produces national and international-level athletes), riding at the equestrian centre, not to mention a developing reputation in women’s cricket. Other options include water polo, squash, cross-country, fencing, fishing and sailing, as well as co-ed dance, badminton, golf and even dog walking.
Music here centres around the blockbuster chapel (there’s space for 1,100 at a squeeze), with sung Eucharist each week. The chapel choir has sung in the likes of Chichester Cathedral and St George’s Chapel at Windsor, and on our visit a team from BBC Radio 3 were recording Evensong. A huge team of peripatetic teachers also offer lessons in pretty much every instrument under the sun, and there are orchestras, bands and ensembles galore, plus heaps of concerts, recitals and opera trips.
The drama department produces plays and at least one musical every year, plus playwriting competitions and student-led workshops. The lovely open-air theatre was opened by Agatha Christie in 1960 and a play is performed every summer term.
The art department is housed in one of the nicest buildings on campus (with blockbuster views of the Downs) and has a very enthusiastic head at the helm who adapts the course to suit the strengths and interests of each cohort – there is currently a strong group of students interested in studying architecture and there’s talk of introducing A-level history of art. D&T is equally impressive with a number of rooms leading off from a huge main space with double-height ceilings equipped with every manner of tools. It’s a popular subject at GCSE and A-level, with many also opting for product design which lays the ground for careers in everything from architecture to fashion.
Two hours a day are ringfenced for clubs, activities and societies, with over 130 for pupils to choose from including CCF, shooting, foraging and roller skating. Pupils are encouraged to mix it up and try options outside of their comfort zone. The Year 9s have a carousel afternoon once a week where they try out lots of different activities. The pupils also get a say in bringing in new clubs – one girl wanted to try boxing so one of the sports teachers took her for special classes.
A big shout-out to Lancing’s very own farm too – students can muck in and take part in all the tasks, even helping to deliver lambs (which, in turn, has inspired a fair few pupils to go on to study veterinary medicine). The farm’s land plays a big part in the school’s sustainability efforts: a large part of the land is set to be re-wilded and turned into a wildflower meadow to help offset the school’s carbon footprint.
Boarding
Around two-thirds of pupils opt into boarding, choosing between full or flexi. Full boarders are allowed home at weekends; flexis are able to upgrade; and day pupils can even book in for the occasional overnight – if an activity or rehearsal overruns beyond 9pm they can stay over at no extra cost. There are seven boarding and three day houses in total: four boys’ boarding; three girls’ boarding; one boys’ day house; one girls’ day house and one co-ed day house (an increasingly popular option). They’re all situated on site and close to the main college building, which makes getting around a breeze. Pupils share a room with two or three others until they reach Year 11, when they move to their own single bedrooms. We had a recent snoop round two girls’ houses which were both homely and comfortable – one had breath-taking views of the South Downs and a lovely huge common room.
A high proportion of staff live on campus, creating a unique community feel. At weekends, there are sometimes up to 300 pupils in school, and there is certainly enough going on to keep those who stay entertained. International boarders now have an option to stay as a group in the care of Lancing staff for exeat weekends. They spend the weekend off site just 40 minutes away from the College and enjoy games and outdoor activities, and cultural outings amongst friends.
There are lessons on Saturday mornings with a focus on PSHE and careers for the older pupils, as well as optional courses in service and leadership, which are part of the sixth form ‘super’ curriculum. Afternoons are dedicated to sport, while Sundays are reserved for studying, activities and downtime. The younger years can book trips to the local leisure centre, while older pupils are allowed to walk into Shoreham or get a train to Brighton.
Day pupils regularly stay for evening school, events and supper. All meals are taken in the stunning, panelled dining room, which makes for a cosy, family environment, and the food, we were told, is great, with many ingredients sourced locally, including from the school farm.
Lancing school community
Pastoral care is taken seriously here, with an onsite chaplain and counsellor supported by a solid house system and network of tutors. The feeling we get is that all staff, from the head to the matrons, are very protective of the children in their care. Senior deputy pastoral Emma-Kate Henry says the atmosphere among everyone in the school is very warm. Every year, sixth formers are trained up as peer supporters, and there’s a special PSHE programme for parents and pupils. Sixth formers also choose a tutor to stay with them for their final two years, supporting them pastorally as well as academically. The school chapel is a focal point of life here – weekly services are attended by all, regardless of faith, and there is also a multi-faith room for pupils of other faiths. Pupils come from 45 different countries and there are 40 different languages spoken, making up a diverse community of backgrounds and beliefs.
Pupils we spoke to said they feel very supported by staff and friends; there are lots of friendships between year groups, which add to the school’s family feel. The whole school even takes part in a 12-mile hike (or run for those who want an extra challenge) through the South Downs together once a year, with parents joining too, and a barbecue back at the school afterwards. New parents are welcomed at a special supper and there are coffee mornings in the pavilion before Saturday fixtures. Plenty of online events ensure overseas parents are part of the fold too. There’s also a strong alumni network, known as the 'The OL Club', with former pupils regularly popping back for mentoring and careers talks.
And finally...
Lancing College is the real deal when it comes to everyone being able to find their passions and excel. There is something for everyone and, says head Dr Crawford, ‘If pupils like to be busy at school, then this is the right place for them.’ The clarion call of its motto – ‘Be inspired. Be brilliant. Be you.’ – isn’t just a catchy slogan. You really see it at work here.