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Across the College, Women dedicate themselves to being excellent role models to all our pupils. From construction to counselling, elected officials to electricians our women don’t let anything hold them back. Below you'll find a compilation of extraordinary women, merely a glimpse into the remarkable individuals who grace the halls of Lancing College. We encourage you to read their stories with curiosity and admiration, and join us in celebrating their achievements this International Women's Day.
Jacqui Painter – Counsellor
Jacqui Painter has worked for Lancing College as our Counsellor for the last 11 years. A graduate of Sussex University, Jacqui has 25 years of experience in the counselling field and has worked within an educational setting with young people for most of her working life. Jacqui is also a qualified Supervisor and clinically supports counsellors in their role. Throughout her career, Jacqui has worked in a variety of settings - GP referral unit, a charitable organisation, private practice and early on in her career, she set up a counselling service for parents of disabled children. Jacqui finds working with young people a privilege and very rewarding. She is also a parent of teenagers.
Outside of her clinical work, Jacqui is an Artist. She graduated from her degree in Fine Art/Painting at Brighton University in 1994. Over the last few years Jacqui has sold her work in the UK and America and has exhibited her paintings in Brighton and London. She was recently selected for the annual Sussex Contemporary exhibition which was held at the Brighton i360 in September ’23 and is a member of the organisation ArtCan. Jacqui has an upcoming group exhibition at The Regency Townhouse in Hove in mid- April this year.
Zara Stuart – Electrician
"Working as an electrician has long been perceived to be a male-dominated career. However, it didn't always feel that way to me, as I grew up in property development, renovating houses with my father. When the pandemic struck, I decided to train to become an electrician to further my skills. It was only once I qualified and started working with other teams that I realised just how unusual it is to be a woman in this industry and the challenges that brings. After a couple of years honing my skills, I came to work at Lancing College, which granted me the opportunity to work in a wider range of environments, broadening my skill set. I love the challenge of being sympathetic to the age and history of the buildings whilst keeping up with modern technology. I work with an amazing team, and I just love the community around me. I feel very fortunate, as I know from experience that this isn't always the case, which makes me appreciate the importance of supporting and encouraging women in this industry."
Liz Haywood – Teme House Matron
Liz Haywood has been the Matron of Teme House for eight years and thoroughly enjoys tending to the well-being and pastoral needs of the children in her care. Alongside her exceptional work at Teme, Liz has also been an elected local councillor for the past 12 years in the Lancing Parish ward of Mash Barn. Liz also holds several degrees, including two BAs and an MA in English Literature, and is currently studying for her MSc in Environmental Science. Back in 2019, Liz represented the Open University on University Challenge against the University of Huddersfield. During the pandemic, Liz returned to the NHS as a volunteer administering thousands of vaccines to local people. In her spare time Liz volunteers as an editor and reader for a charity working hard to bring the news to people with blindness via accessible, online platforms as well as volunteering as an online reader for children with additional needs. Liz's commitment to our students and the local community serves as a tremendous source of inspiration. Her constant desire to expand her knowledge and go above and beyond for those around her imparts an important message to both our students and the entire Lancing College community.
Ella Haywood – Purchase Ledger
Ella Haywood has been an essential member of the Lancing College Finance Team for over three years now. She first joined us as Finance Assistant and has recently been promoted to her new role of Purchase Ledger. Ella joined us after completing her degree from Bangor University, graduating with a BA in Linguistics, receiving an award for the academic brilliance portrayed in her dissertation. During her time at Bangor, Ella played Lacrosse, volunteering as both Club Vice Captain as well as Treasurer for the team. She also competes locally in rock climbing competitions. Alongside her mother, Liz Haywood, Ella spent the pandemic volunteering with both the Royal Voluntary Service and the NHS. She also joins her mum in editing and reading news for the blind.
Qiao Liang (Joy) - Head of Chinese
Having taught Chinese at Lancing College for over two decades, Joy has spent her career inspiring students to do their best and go beyond the syllabus to develop a deep love of the language. She writes, ‘it has been a real pleasure to see my students grow and develop a passion for Chinese, and even more gratifying that this has been reflected in excellent grades.’ She shares that one of her career highlights was in 2023, when she was nominated by one of our former pupils to be shortlisted as an inspiring teacher in Trinity College Cambridge.
To make learning the language interesting, in 2011 she initiated a Chinese New Year celebration show for the school. In 2012, her Fourth Form beginners class wrote and performed a play in Chinese entitled ‘Welcome to Our School’ and the show's popularity led to it becoming a regular event and moving from Great School to the Dining Hall.
Over the years, our Chinese New Year celebration has continued to grow and improve as Joy has encouraged more students from different backgrounds to participate. With a role for everyone to play, either on the stage or behind the curtain, the event has become a favourite at the College. ‘I was always thrilled to see the success of each show and especially this year, with students describing the atmosphere as “buzzing with unity and cultural appreciation, weaving unforgettable memories for our diverse community.”’
‘I am passionate about supporting students to find their unique strengths and help them (especially those who may be very far away from home) to find their new home at Lancing. I have always found Lancing College to be a wonderfully enriching place and homely community. I am truly so proud to have served as part of the Lancing College faculty for many years.’
Karen Andrew – Assistant Head Co-Curricular
Karen has been with us at Lancing College for five years now, first joining from Roedean as Head of Academic PE and swiftly taking on the role of Director of Sport. Two years later, she welcomed the new challenge of Assistant Head Co-Curricular, her dream job!
Previous to her roles in education, Karen achieved 44 caps for England having won the Six Nations several times, alongside the Canada Cup and European Championships. Unfortunately, she never got the gold cup medal she strived for – only silver. (Which we maintain is a sensational achievement!) After retiring from Rugby and her club side of Saracens in 2010, Karen decided she missed the competitive side of playing sports, so took up running and has now completed four marathons, and several half-marathons. In addition to this she entered and completed the Etap du Tour cycling race where only 7% of participants are women! Iron Man became the new challenge during the pandemic, with Karen completing her first one in Vittoria Gasteiz, Spain, in 2022. She completed this to raise funds for Bowel Cancer, supporting her father who lives in Spain and had previously undergone a successful treatment for the illness. She was surprised to have come fifth in her age group, completing the race in a time of 11 hours and 40 minutes. This gave her the incentive to beat her record and get onto the podium. She returned in 2023, beating her previous time by 22 minutes, however still coming fifth in her age group, so of course … she’s returning this Summer, training harder than ever, to finally get that podium finish!
Inspiring young women to play sport is a significant passion of Karen’s, and she is always delighted to hear about our pupils’ achievements in sport, no matter which it is. Having been on the receiving end of sexism in sport, she is proud of how far we've come. However, being friends with several rugby pundits from her days on the pitch, she’s aware of the sexist comments they regularly receive, and how hard women must prove themselves within these environments.
Dr Elizabeth Keane – Head of Politics
Liz joined Lancing in 2014 as a Politics and English teacher, having previously taught at Eton College and Christ's Hospital. Liz is now Head of Politics and, thanks to the breadth of the US education system and her unwillingness to stop going to school, she also teaches in the English and History departments. She is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross (BA), New York University (MA), and Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge (PhD), where her doctoral research focused on Irish foreign policy. She has published two books on Irish history and is a fellow of the RHS. She runs Lancing’s Debating Society and Junior Scholars’ Programme.
A native New Yorker, Liz has an odd fascination with hedge mazes and pub quizzes and aimless wandering through cities. Whenever there is rare spare time, she can be found hovering around Cecil Court, pricing old London Underground maps and railway posters. Liz is married to John and they have two daughters, both of whom are pupils in the Lancing family of schools.
Tiffany Y – Handford House
I am currently doing A levels in Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths, and I am planning on studying Medical Biosciences at Imperial. Alongside my studies, I’m doing an EPQ in comparing gene therapy and CFTR modulator therapy in treating cystic fibrosis whilst also working towards my Gold Duke of Edinburgh award and Grade 8 in LAMDA. Over the years I’ve been here at Lancing I’ve done a variety of sports from horse riding to rock climbing and rifle shooting. I’m currently also helping with the lambing season at the farm where we learn more about the animals’ welfare. Lancing has provided so many amazing opportunities to help me develop as a person like winning the travel award and going solo travelling around Scotland. I am also looking forward to my trip to Malawi with Lancing this summer where we will be working at a school, visiting children’s homes and local villages.
Louisa V – Handford House
My name is Louisa, an Upper Sixth in Handford House, and I am also a Head of School as well as a Head Sacristan and avid farmer. I am studying Chemistry, Biology and History, hoping to study Biomedical Sciences at university. The achievements I am most proud of at the College would be my efforts towards charity and awareness during Black History Month, with raising money for charities that support young black youth in the UK, and bringing together community and knowledge as well as fun aspects such as different foods and music. As well as this I also achieved giving a sermon in the Advent term on my favourite holiday of all time, Christmas, and being able to share my relationship with that time of year to the rest of the school. Finally, my favourite achievement would be travelling to Peru in my L6th summer to complete a Travel Award, on which I was able to not only meet wonderful new people but immerse myself in a beautiful culture.
