As we celebrate our 175th Anniversary, we are also marking the sixth year of having Foundationers in the College under the programme we launched with just two pupils in September 2017. This year the programme is at its largest with 18 Foundationers currently studying at Lancing and 15 OL Foundationers who have completed A Levels and are at university or moving into the world of work.
This year Lancing welcomed seven new pupils to the programme, the largest ever into the school at one time. Pupils have joined in Year 9, Year 10 and for Sixth Form. Partners in the programme include national charities such as Royal Springboard and Eastside Young Leaders, for whom the College delivers a summer programme. Other partners include Trinty Lewisham and smaller local prep schools operating transformational bursaries.
Reflecting on the programme today, Dominic Oliver, Head Master says:
At a time when Independent Schools are under fire for being bastions of privilege, this programme gives a different picture and demonstrates Lancing’s long-term commitment to changing the lives of young people from challenging circumstances who would otherwise be unable to access a Lancing education. The programme continues to flourish and is also being used as a model for other schools to follow.
Lancing College is transforming and has transformed the educational prospects and futures of over 30 young people. We are rightly ambitious, and our current goal will see the College supporting over 60 young people. This is a remarkable project, and we are grateful to the many parents, OLs, staff and Friends who have chosen to support this important mission which is at the heart of the ethos of the College.
Behind every pupil there is an individual dealing with their own complex situation, our dedicated team at the College is instrumental in co-navigating every pupil’s journey.
Dominic Oliver
All funds given to the Foundationers campaign are ringfenced, and to date over £6.3 million has been raised in donations and pledges. In 2022 the College introduced an optional parent contribution to the campaign and are hugely grateful to over 80% of parents who have participated.
The programme has proved truly transformational with OL Foundationers now working and studying. Recent leavers are continuing their studies at:
- Imperial College London
- Queen Mary University of London
- UCL (University College London)
- City, University of London
- University of Bristol
- Aston University, Birmingham
- University of Birmingham
- Keele University
- University of Nottingham
- University of Bradford
One of our 2023 Foundationer leavers achieved a Morehead-Cain Scholarship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was one of only seven pupils from the UK to be awarded this impressive and prestigious award.
Three Foundationers were chosen to be part of the 175 Anniversary Lancing Portraits for the positive difference they have made to Lancing and to the world. Here you can read the biographies of Paige Taylor, Nana Oduro-Nyaning, and Shirin Mirzayasheva whose portraits are hanging in the Dining Hall amongst 25 others for the remainder of the year.
You can read more about the campaign and other Foundationer case studies here.