History
Lancing Prep Hove is proudly led by our Head, Kirsty Keep, whose strong, forward‑looking leadership continues to shape the warm, ambitious and nurturing school we are today. Under her guidance, the school has flourished – maintaining high academic standards, enriching the breadth of our curriculum, and strengthening the caring, close‑knit community that makes Lancing Prep Hove such a special place for children to learn and grow.
The school site has evolved and improved over time, with a number of thoughtful developments designed to enhance learning and daily life for our pupils. These include a spacious, centrally located library, a welcoming reception area and dedicated spaces for Pre‑School and for our Music Department, providing excellent facilities for lessons, practice and individual tuition.
Our most recent addition is the Food and Nutrition room, opened in January 2026, which provides an inspiring, practical space for pupils to develop valuable cookery and nutrition skills as part of our wider curriculum.
2014
The school became known as Lancing College Preparatory School at Hove in January 2014, following the addition of Lancing Preparatory School at Worthing (formerly Broadwater Manor) to the College family of schools.
2013
The school building today has undergone many improvements and additions, including the acquisition of a neighbouring bungalow in 2013 which was transformed into a new space for the Nursery.
2002
The school became Lancing College Preparatory School in September 2002, having previously been known as Mowden School. Head Master Christopher Snell retired and so 2002 marked the arrival both of Mr Laurent as Head Master and of girls at what had been an all boys’ school.
1999
The Pre-Prep department was opened in 1997 and moved from being a boarding & day school to a purely day school in 1999.
1973
Head master Christopher Snell was the third generation of the Snell family to run the school, having taken over from his father Edward in 1973. The Snell family association with the school is being renewed in 2017, when Sarah Snell, who grew up with her family living in the school, returned to teach here from September 2017 in the Prep Department.
1937
Edward Snell had succeeded his father as Head Master in 1937.
1913
In 1913 the school moved to its present site, which was designed by British architect C H B Quennell as a purpose-built preparatory school with boarding accommodation.
1901
The school relocated from Essex to Lansdowne Place in Hove in 1901 with a roll of just eight boys. The Snell brothers ran the school for many years until their respective retirements.
1896
Mowden School was founded in 1896 by Mr Bernard Snell at Mowden Hall, in Hatfield Peverel, Essex. Originally with just one pupil and a boarder, it marked the start of the school before it moved to Sussex in 1901.
2026
We are proud of our rich history and, as part of the Lancing College family of schools, we look ahead with excitement to all that the future holds.
This website offers a glimpse into life at Lancing Prep Hove today, but there is nothing quite like experiencing our community in person. We warmly invite you to visit us to learn more.
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