Lancing College Overview
Lancing College is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 13 to 18, located in the South Downs near Brighton. Founded in 1848 with strong Anglican roots, the school blends tradition with a forward-thinking approach. Academically, it offers a wide range of GCSEs and A Levels, and most pupils go on to leading UK and international universities. At the same time, the school places equal emphasis on personal development, encouraging pupils to grow in confidence, resilience and responsibility. Through a well-established house system, day pupils and boarders are fully integrated, creating a close-knit and supportive community. Moreover, the school offers a wide co-curricular programme, helping pupils discover new interests and develop wider skills. With a strong pastoral structure and clear values, Lancing aims to prepare young people not just for exams, but for life beyond school.
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Lancing College Courses And Programmes
Senior School
In Years 9 to 11, pupils follow a structured GCSE programme that combines core subjects such as English, Maths and Science. There is a range of optional subjects including languages, humanities, the arts, and technology. This ensures a strong academic foundation while allowing pupils to explore their individual interests.
Sixth Form
In the Sixth Form, pupils typically choose three or four A Level subjects. A wide selection is available across sciences, humanities, languages, and creative disciplines. Alongside their main subjects, many pupils take the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), which encourages independent research and prepares them for university-level study.
Lancing College Fees
- Full boarding £17,773 per term
- Flexi-boarding £14,934 per term (subject to availability)
- Day £12,147 per term and occasional overnight stays charged at £89 per night.
Lancing College Boarding And Pastoral Care
Lancing College offers a well-established and structured boarding experience that begins from Year 9. Around 70% of pupils board full-time, and the school operates ten boarding houses: five for boys, four for girls, and one co-educational. These houses mix pupils from different year groups, which helps build strong friendships and a sense of belonging across ages. New pupils are welcomed into supportive environments where older students often mentor younger ones.
Rooms are usually shared in the early years, while Sixth Form pupils typically have their own space. All houses include common rooms, study areas and kitchen facilities, creating a homely atmosphere where pupils can relax and socialise. Each house has a clear identity and is led by a housemaster or housemistress, supported by tutors and matrons who ensure daily life runs smoothly and that pupils receive consistent pastoral support.
Moreover, the school offers a flexible boarding option for day pupils who may need to stay overnight. These pupils have their own allocated beds and can board regularly or as needed, often at no additional cost when staying for school-related reasons. This flexibility suits many families and ensures that all pupils feel part of the wider school community.
At weekends, life remains busy and engaging. After Saturday morning lessons and sports fixtures, pupils enjoy organised activities such as film nights, inter-house competitions, and social events. These help maintain a lively and inclusive boarding environment throughout the week.
Lancing College Extracurricular Activities
Lancing offers an exceptionally broad co-curricular programme, with over 200 activities each term. Pupils consistently praise the variety available and the ease of finding something that suits their interests. From creative arts and performance to sport and service, every pupil is encouraged to get involved.
Music plays a central role in school life, with numerous ensembles, regular concerts, and a chapel choir that attracts strong praise. The drama provision is equally rich, with an indoor theatre and a unique open-air venue, originally opened by Agatha Christie. Productions range from classics to ambitious contemporary pieces. Visual arts are also taken seriously—pupils benefit from large, light-filled studios and a thriving DT department. Recent student projects have included building a car for display at Goodwood and creating sustainable fashion for EPQ work.
Equestrian activities are a particular strength. A new equestrian centre allows pupils to bring their own horses or ride the school’s ponies. Many find time at the stables a relaxing way to end the day.
Sport is inclusive and highly active. While football is dominant, pupils also enjoy rugby, cricket, netball, tennis, and a range of minor sports like sailing, climbing, fencing, and water polo. An indoor pool, open to the local community through LC Swim Club, extends opportunities beyond term time. Pupils of all abilities are welcomed, whether they play for fun or at a competitive level.
