In 2023, Roedean School celebrated its 125th year on its current site. Throughout the decades, the Brighton private school has demonstrated its dedication to providing girls with a first-rate education.
Educational excellence at Roedean continues today, and the School looks forward to nurturing many more generations of empowered young women and female leaders.
Here’s an overview of Roedean’s rich history and the legacy the Brighton private school has forged over the years.
Roedean School’s Historical Origins
Three sisters — Penelope, Dorothy, and Millicent Lawrence — founded Roedean School in Lewes Crescent, Brighton, in 1885. Despite the Brighton private school’s small size (originally just 10 students), the Lawrence sisters had big ambitions for Roedean.
“We wish in the first place to give to physical education and outdoor exercise their due place in every girl’s life,” the sisters wrote. “Secondly, to train each girl to independence and self-reliance, and with that view to give as much liberty as can be granted with safety. And thirdly, to supply a sound and careful intellectual training to each girl.”
The Lawrence sisters also wanted the Brighton private school to prepare girls for higher education and beyond. Roedean’s first prospectus detailed how the School would “provide a strong academic foundation” and “develop skills and confidence for university and careers.”
The Lawrence sisters’ founding vision was unusual for the period. In the late 1800s, many did not believe girls deserved as good an education as boys. In this sense, the Lawrence sisters were trailblazers, and their passion for educational excellence at Roedean remains the beating heart of the School.
A few years later, Roedean moved to its current clifftop site near Brighton, with the foundation stone for new buildings laid in 1897.
The architect for Roedean’s school house, music wing, and four boarding houses was Sir John Simpson, who designed the original Wembley Stadium. Boarding houses 1 and 2 were ready for girls to move into in 1898, with houses 3 and 4 completed in early 1899.
Roedean School Through the Decades
The 1900s-10s
Over the years, the Lawrence sisters developed Roedean’s facilities. They laid the Chapel’s foundation stone in 1905 and opened Junior House (now Keswick House) in 1908. The Sanatorium building (now Lawrence House) opened in 1909.
In 1903, a fourth Lawrence sister, Theresa, opened Roedean South Africa. The ethos of the new school took its inspiration from Roedean’s holistic vision. Today, Executive Director Lindi Dlamini continues to spearhead educational excellence at Roedean South Africa.
In 1910, the Brighton private school opened a tunnel to the beach, which students still use to access the sea for swimming and sailing.
During the 1910s, Roedean also added a reference library and the cricket pavilion. Gilbert Simpson, the brother of Sir John Simpson, designed the pavilion.
The 1920s-30s
In 1923, the Lawrence sisters announced their retirement as Headmistresses, and Emmeline Tanner took over in 1924.
The School celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1935. Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, visited Roedean to celebrate the School Jubilee. Then, King George VI granted the Brighton private school a Royal Charter on 14 December 1938.
The 1940s
During the Second World War, Roedean evacuated students to Keswick in the Lake District from 1940-45. In addition, 50 students moved to Edgehill School in Nova Scotia. For several years, the School became HMS Vernon, a training school for torpedoes, mining, and the electrical branches of the Royal Navy.
Even during times of global uncertainty, educational excellence at Roedean was a top priority. In an address to students following the outbreak of war, Headmistress Tanner said: “We must be deliberately preparing ourselves for the future, making our bodies healthy, training our minds so that they may be like sharpened tools for working at the problems which will face us.”
The 1950s-70s
The 1950s was a decade of milestone celebrations for the two Roedean schools. Roedean South Africa celebrated its Jubilee in 1953. In 1955, Roedean School marked its 70th anniversary with a visit from the Queen Mother.
During the 1960s, Roedean focused on expanding its buildings and facilities. In the first half of the decade, Roedean automated its school bells and restored the wooden panels in reception. To commemorate the Queen Mother’s visit in 1955, the School received the donation of a stained glass window by Michael Farrar-Bell.
In 1964, Princess Margaret opened Roedean’s new dining room block. In 1966, the School laid seven new tennis courts, and, in 1967, added a new drive and closed the School gates (except for pedestrian use). Roedean also opened its indoor swimming pool in 1970.
In 1971, John Hunt became the first male Head of Roedean. That same year, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme started at the School (many students still undertake the Bronze and Silver awards).
In 1974, Lawrence House opened for the Sixth Form in the old Sanatorium building.
The 1980s
Roedean celebrated its centenary in 1985. The Brighton private school marked the milestone in several ways, including with the opening of the Centenary Sports Hall in 1986. In 1987, the old gymnasium became a Sixth Form common room and two classrooms.
The 1980s was a decade of significant changes, with major historical events (like the collapse of the Berlin Wall) and advances in technology that revolutionised aspects of daily life.
Roedean responded to these changes by drawing on its rich heritage and restating its forward-facing outlook. Educational excellence at Roedean continued to be a pillar of the School’s ethos.
Ann Longley, Roedean’s Head at the time, said: “If we can continue to balance tradition with the needs of the changing world, then I am confident that Roedean will go from strength to strength.”
The 1990s
In 1993, the main school hall became the Dame Emmeline Tanner Library. In 1994, the Prince of Wales (now King Charles III) opened the School’s performing arts centre.
In the realm of sports, Roedean continued its founders’ vision for encouraging a healthy, active lifestyle. Judy Moore and Ann Voigt’s Memories of Roedean: The First 100 Years explains that, in the 1990s, “the [sporting] options available would astonish, but also delight, the Lawrence sisters who pioneered active physical exercise for girls at a time when walking, croquet, and tennis were considered more than adequate.”
The 2000s-10s
In the new millennium, Roedean continued going from strength to strength. The Brighton private school appeared on a limited Brighton & Hove edition of Monopoly, highlighting Roedean’s reputation in the local area.
Roedean continued to equip students for futures in an increasingly connected, globalised world. Carolyn Shaw, the Head of Roedean in the 2000s, said she “relished the richness and variety of life” at the School. She “never ceased to be impressed by the girls’ energy and zest as they forge new paths for themselves and their peers.”
Oliver Blond became the Head of Roedean in 2013. His appointment led to an impressive growth in student numbers during the 2010s. Girls thrived in numerous areas of school life and achieved top exam results, further proof of the educational excellence at Roedean.
In 2015, Roedean introduced a new school uniform. In 2016, the Roedean farm opened, offering students experience in caring for animals and outdoor learning opportunities.
In 2017, the Brighton private school founded the Roedean Group of Schools. Roedean also built an all-weather flood-lit pitch in 2018, bringing sport to the heart of the School.
The 2020s
The 2020s brought disruption to Roedean in the form of the Covid-19 pandemic. The School closed in March 2020, but Roedean rallied in response to the challenge, providing virtual lessons throughout several lockdown periods in 2020 and 2021.
In 2021, the School refurbished its theatre to a high standard, and Roedean’s community embraced the performing arts with renewed zeal.
In 2022, in response to the war in Ukraine, the Roedean community raised funds to support Ukrainian families. A team of six students aged 12-17 raised more than £7,000 with an incredible relay swim across the English Channel to France.
The Roedean Ukrainian Bursary Appeal has been shortlisted for the IDPE Awards: School’s Fundraising Campaign of the Year in the category for Development Offices operating for longer than 6 years.
In addition, nine Ukrainian girls who moved to the local area started studying at Roedean thanks to scholarships from the School.
Niamh Green became the current Head of Roedean in April 2023. She has emphasised Roedean’s responsiveness to societal shifts and changing educational needs.
“Over the last few years, the use of technology in schools and in the world has changed,” Green notes. She has reassured families that, even though their daughters “will be applying for jobs that do not even exist at the moment,” Roedean will make sure students are ready.
Community: The Heartbeat of Roedean School
Students of the School are enthusiastic when asked about their time at Roedean. The Good Schools Guide 2016 reported that “girls all — unconsciously — smile when asked about life at school. Endorsement doesn’t come much more authentic.”
Roedean student Bella was the youngest member of the cross-Channel relay team in 2022. “At Roedean, I have had so many opportunities, both academic and co-curricular,” she says. Her favourite aspect of school life is the amount of sports students play.
Jemima, a former head girl, says the opportunities at Roedean have helped her “gain confidence and build resilience.” Ella, a performing arts student, says her “confidence has rocketed” in the two years she’s attended the School. She also emphasises the number of academic and performance opportunities she’s received at Roedean.
Over 125 years, Roedean has fostered a unique sense of belonging and built a strong community of staff, students, and alumni. The School has a long-established Old Girls Association, the Old Roedeanians’ Association (ORA). For generations, the ORA has kept former students connected to each other and the School through networking, reunions, and social events.
Some of Roedean’s most notable alumni include painter and designer Enid Marx, theatre producer Carlo Newling, and fashion designer Beatrix Ong. Shaped by their time at Roedean, each has made significant contributions to their fields.
Envisioning The Next Chapter in Educational Excellence at Roedean
As in the past, today Roedean continues to achieve a balance between maintaining traditions and embracing innovations. Even in changing times, the School has stayed committed to its core values and mission to provide a “thorough physical, intellectual, and moral education.”
Roedean, like many schools, must grapple with modern challenges. Swift strides in technology and evolving pedagogical methods mean that the world students are currently living in — and will inherit — looks very different from when the Lawrence sisters founded the School.
However, Roedean is addressing these challenges by providing dynamic teaching and ensuring students receive a wide-ranging, relevant education. A dual focus on character development and educational excellence at Roedean allows the School to prepare girls for even the most uncertain futures.
Roedean School continues to enhance each student’s educational experience. Over the next few years, the School has ambitious plans to further improve its facilities with three major projects. These projects include an extensive Learning Commons and a cutting-edge STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) Centre.
Roedean invites you to become part of the School’s ongoing legacy by joining in the celebration of its 125-year journey. Your support, whether through participation in school events, contributions to facilities and departments, or simply sharing in Roedean’s rich history, can play a vital role in shaping the future of this Brighton private school.
About Roedean School
Roedean School is a top Brighton private school for girls aged 11-18. These girls hail from 40 countries and nationalities, creating a multicultural community across the School and Sixth Form.
Since opening with just 10 students 125 years ago, Roedean now supports 700 students. The School population is big enough for girls to make lifelong friends and enjoy a buzzing boarding community. But the population is also small enough to ensure each student receives the high level of individualised support they need to excel across the curriculum and beyond.
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