Location and status

Varndean School is a secondary school serving the needs of a large area of Brighton

Brighton

Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...

, England

England

England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...

. It moved to its current site overlooking the city and the sea in 1926. Varndean has a national reputation for innovation and achievement. It is a vibrant learning community with a distinctive ethos in which individuals are valued and can flourish. The quality of the inter-personal relations between staff and students is extremely high. Varndean has a broad, flexible curriculum, backed up by an outstanding extra-curricular provision, most notably in the Arts. It has the largest cohort of students in the city following the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Varndean was the first specialist school in the city (Technology in 1998). In 2005 it was designated a high-performing specialist school; in 2006 Varndean obtained its second specialism in Music, followed by a third specialism in Applied Learning in 2007. Applied Learning status has enabled the school to take a leading role in the emerging 14-19 agenda across the city in partnership with other local schools and colleges.

Varndean shares the Surrenden Campus with Balfour Junior School, Balfour Infants School, Dorothy Stringer High School

Dorothy Stringer High School

Dorothy Stringer High School is situated in Brighton, England, UK.It has around 1,600 pupils and 120 members of staff led by the head teacher, Richard Bradford...

 and Varndean College

Varndean College

Varndean College is a sixth form college located in Brighton & Hove that serves the needs of sixth form students and adults.-History:The college was founded in 1884 in York Place, Brighton as a boys' Secondary School and moved to its current site overlooking the city and the sea in 1932, later...

.

History

Varndean was founded in 1884 in central Brighton as York Place Higher Grade School. An Organised Science School was added in 1894. The name changed to Brighton Municipal Secondary School for Girls in 1905. During World War I, the premises were taken over for use as an Indian Military Hospital and not returned until 1919.

In 1926, the school moved to a new site, then on the outskirts of Brighton. It was renamed 'Varndean', after the nearby farm. When it opened, the original part of the building, designed by Gilbert Simpson and now known as the Ditchling Building was the most advanced in the country.

World War II saw half the school evacuated to Yorkshire.

There were no significant changes until 1970's, when the combination of the comprehensive movement and the take-over of Brighton by East Sussex County Council saw the educational system reorganised. Between 1975 and 1979, Varndean Girls' Grammar School became Varndean High School, a coeducational Comprehensive. The Boys' Grammar School became the Sixth Form College.

In recent years, the school has expanded significantly. Several building projects have resulted in increased accommodation. In the original building, several rooms have been converted into IT suites and extensions made to house new Maths rooms, a Music suite and extra PE facilities, such as a Fitness Suite and a Dance Studio. Sport has also benefited from the construction of a Sports hall and an astro-turf pitch. The Balfour Building, opened in 1993, houses Art and Design Technology. The Friar Building, in use since 2000, accommodates English and Humanities. 2008 saw the opening of a state-of-the-art Library, designed by Stephen Toomey of Brighton & Hove City Council Property and Design, who is also responsible for two other projects, Downs View Link College and the new extension to Balfour Junior School, on the Surrenden campus.

Head Teachers

• 1884-1894 Miss M.Brion
• 1894-1901 Miss A.North
• 1901-1909 Miss L.Hilton
• 1909-1937 Miss E.Ellis
• 1937-1961 Miss M. Warmington
• 1961-1977 Miss R.Clarke
• 1977-1986 Mrs M.Smithers
• 1986-1999 Mrs P.Bowmaker O.B.E
• 2000-2008 Mr A.Schofield
• 2009–Present Mr W.Deighan

Notable alumni

• Helena Normanton (1882–1957) - one of the first two women to become a King's Councillor.
• Evelyn Laye O.B.E (1900–1996) - West End actress.
• Dorothy Stringer (1893–1977) - Brighton councillor 1925-1974; Mayor 1952-53.
• James Fraser - Professional Footballer (Port Vale).
• Tommy Fraser
  Tommy Fraser
  Thomas Francis Peter "Tommy" Fraser is a professional footballer, who is without a club having departed Barnet in November 2011. A central midfielder, he can also play on the right wing....
  
   - Professional Footballer (Brighton & Hove Albion, Port Vale
  Port Vale F.C.
  Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
  
  , Barnet
  Barnet
  High Barnet or Chipping Barnet is a place in the London Borough of Barnet, North London, England. It is a suburban development built around a twelfth-century settlement and is located north north-west of Charing Cross. Its name is often abbreviated to Barnet, which is also the name of the London...
  
  )
• Stephen Grant - Comedian
• Kyla Greenbaum - Musician
• Russell Martin
  Russell Martin (footballer)
  Russell Kenneth Alexander Martin is an English-born Scottish footballer, currently playing for Norwich City. He is a right-back. However he is capable of playing as a central defender.-Early career:...
  
  - Professional Footballer (Wycombe Wanderers
  Wycombe Wanderers F.C.
  Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which has been promoted to Football League One after finishing third in Football League Two in the season 2010–11. The club's nicknames are "The Chairboys" and "The Blues", and they play...
  
  , Peterborough United
  Peterborough United F.C.
  Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
  
  , http://www.theposh.com/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10427~30740,00.html, Norwich City)
• Hobbie Stuart - Singer/songwriter (signed to Sony Music)
• Lewis Dunk
  Lewis Dunk
  Lewis Carl Dunk is a professional footballer who plays for Football League Championship team Brighton & Hove Albion. Dunk plays as a central defender.-Club career:...
  
   - Professional Footballer (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Notable past staff

• Patricia harding M.B.E d.2000 - Head of Music 1947-1980. Mrs harding conducted Brighton's Orpheus Choir for over half a century. A Brighton & Hove bus is named after her.
• Ben Watson - Professional Footballer (Brighton & Hove Albion, Bognor Regis Town, Grays Athletic, Exeter City).

Notable current staff

• Leanne Buxton international athlete (Bedford & County AC, Sussex)
• William Deighan - was a freelance opera singer working with the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, EMI Opera de Lyon, Aix-en-Provence and Opera Ireland. He is also a horn player and worked with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, BBC Scottish and Welsh Symphony Orchestras, Welsh National Opera, London Symphony Orchestra. He held substantive posts as principal Horn with the Israel Chamber Orchestra, Scottish Ballet, London City Ballet and Assistant Principal, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under Sir Simon Rattle.
• Ryan Kersey - Musician, specialising in Gamelan, with compositions performed in various venues including The Royal Festival Hall
• Paul Taylor (Lewes RFC)
• Stuart Tuck
  Stuart Tuck
  Stuart Tuck is a footballer who plays as left-back and centre back. He started his career at Worthing, and then moved to Brighton & Hove Albion, where he made 93 appearances, and captained the side on several occasions....
  
   (Brighton & Hove Albion
  Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
  Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
  
  , Eastbourne Borough
  Eastbourne Borough F.C.
  Eastbourne Borough are a semi-professional English football club, based in the town of Eastbourne, East Sussex, and are members of the Conference South. They are known as The Sports after their previous name as Langney Sports. Eastbourne Borough play their home matches at Priory Lane in Langney...
  
  , Bognor Regis Town
  Bognor Regis Town F.C.
  Bognor Regis Town Football Club is an English football club based in Bognor Regis, West Sussex. The club are currently members of Isthmian League Division One South and play at Nyewood Lane.-History:...
  
  )

Student Participation

Students have always been encouraged to participate in decisions affecting the school. There have been student Associate Governors on the Governing body since this was first allowed in 2003. This is excellent practise, as it allows the students an opportunity to see how the broader school operates. This voice then triangulates the relationship between staff, students and governors.
There is an elected body of students within the school. This is the Student Cabinet. The Cabinet mimics the British government so allows the student voice to speak democratically, as well as encouraging development of political skills and knowledge around the school. The Cabinet was instrumental in a whole school uniform change, but is also heavily involved in less traditional ‘school council’ business – this includes a review of lesson length and an investigation in to the current curriculum. All students in the school know how to access the council, so their views can be represented.

In September 2009, a school House system was introduced. There are four houses, which are all inspired by the school dolphin logo – Boto, Irrawaddy, Risso and Tucuxi. The House System is also designed to increase involvement in school life and provides a further sense of belonging for the individual students. It is still at the embryonic stage, but traditions are quickly being created. Houses are producing newsletters, adopting charities and involving themselves in creating four individual learning communities.

Alongside this, are the positions of responsibility. The school has a Head Boy and Girl, with deputies and there are House Captains and Deputies. This is underpinned by a strong team of Senior Prefects (Year 11) and Prefects (Year 10).

As well as the more overt positions of responsibility, there are students working as Peer Mentors (older students supporting younger students) and Student Observers (students feeding back to teachers regarding lesson feedback.

Student Voice at Varndean is both heard and listened to by staff at the school. It is encouraged and is responsible for creating Varndean as the learning community it is today.

Student Rewards

"Hard work" is rewarded in many ways. Attainment Credits and House Points lead to rewards. The Head Teacher’s Celebration Wall showcases outstanding pieces of work. An annual end-of-year Celebration of Achievement is held for current students. Awards Evening in November sees the presentation of GCSE certificates and prizes to the previous years Year 11.

Varndean Highlights

• Music

Music has a great tradition at Varndean. Currently, extra– curricular activities on offer include Senior, Gospel Choirs, a Jazz Band, The Big Band, a Rock Orchestra, String and Woodwind groups and the famous Samba Band, which performs at the Brighton Festival. Regular concerts are held as is an annual Carol Service at St. John’s Church.

• Drama

The annual musical is famous for its high quality. Recent productions have included ‘Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’, ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, ‘West Side Story’ and 'South Pacific'. Varndean Little Theatre sees plays put on by different year groups.

• The Environment

Varndean encourages care for the environment. The Eco-club is involved in many projects, including growing vegetables, recycling and keeping chickens. A wind turbine has been installed in the grounds.

• Outside Links

Apart from strong links with local feeder schools, Varndean spreads its wings further a field. We have links with schools in Australia, South Africa and Ghana. Many overseas visitors are welcomed. An annual Chinese Culture Day is held. We have recently become an International School.