EYLA Summer School Success

At the end of the Summer Holidays, we welcomed EYLA (Eastside Young Leaders) to the College for their annual summer trip. This is our fourth year of running the Summer School and is a real highlight of the Lancing College calendar. EYLA is a founding partner in the success of our Foundationer’s programme. Their mission is to nurture and develop the leadership potential, health and well-being of children and young people, especially Black and minority youth, empowering them to become the next generation of successful leaders.

At this year’s Summer School, the Young Leaders aged between 11 and 15 years enjoyed treasure hunts around our amazing grounds, Debating, French, Reading, Electronics, learning about governance, and mastering the art of making a positive first impression. The children experience life at a Boarding school and reside in two of the College’s boarding Houses. Movie nights, Lancing College farm visits, swimming, walks and games were all on the agenda and enjoyed by all. Young Leaders also took advantage of the Sussex summer sunshine with BBQs, picnics, campfires and time on the beach. The programme always includes a formal dinner, an opportunity to get dressed up, meet more of the College staff and hear from former Lancing College pupils on how the Foundationer programme impacted their lives.

Head Master, Mr Dominic Oliver has encouraged the summer programme from its inception four years ago: 'I am always immensely impressed with the young leaders who join us each year for the Summer School; their energy and enthusiasm to learn and enjoy their time with us is truly inspiring. We have a strong and long-term relationship with Eastside and they are instrumental in our Foundationers Programme, sharing our ambitions to widen opportunities for all. I am extremely grateful to the whole team at Lancing for their commitment to making this programme happen just before the start of the new term. Teachers, Housemistresses, Housemasters, and the catering and support teams are all involved in making sure that these are memorable days for the students.'

This academic year, we have 21 Foundationers in the College, of which 12 are EYLA students. These pupils are supported by our Lancing Foundationers Campaign, providing 110% bursaries funded by the College and our generous donors.