In 1865, the Colstocks Farm, then on the South Downs, was bought by a Mr Goodwin, who was to found the first school on the site. In 1877 the Reverend Francis Souper came to Eastbourne with his wife and family. He bought Colstocks Farm from Mr Goodwin and called the school ‘Meads’ until 1882, when he decided to name it after St Andrew, the disciple whom Jesus had first met by the sea.’ In 1890, the esteemed educator E.L. Browne bought the land from Souper and was Headmaster for 43 years, and a portrait of him hangs in the school dining hall. Like many Prep schools, St Andrew’s was, in its early years, a small boarding school for no more than 99 boys aged between 7 and 13. In 1964 the first day boys joined the school and in 1976 girls were admitted. During 1977 St Andrew’s merged with Ascham, the Prep school of Eastbourne College. The school increased in size and in the same year Nursery age children were accepted.
Overview
The school's campus is in Upper Meads, a leafy, affluent suburb of Eastbourne. It benefits from a position backing onto the South Downs National Park and close to Hollywell Beach and the South Downs Way. St Andrew's runs two outdoor education programmes: Beach School and Forest School which takes place in the school's wood. The annual tradition of the school Sponsored Walk takes place on the Downs. Every year, the school celebrates St Andrews Day with a long running tradition of homemade hats and Sunday Best. The boarding house is located in the upper floors of the school's original building and is run by the housemaster and his deputies, Gappies and a residential matron.
Houses
The original St Andrew’s house system was established in 1904 by headmaster E. L. Browne. He divided the children into ‘sets’ and those sets were named after the teachers who led them. The names of these houses are still used today. Every pupil and member of staff are members of a set. The house with the greatest number of points receives the beautiful Challenge Cup, which dates from 1932. There are four houses:
Arcos after the school organist Mr S. J. Taylor A.R.C.O..
Rovers after Mr Franklin, an Uppingham Rover.
Sea Kings after Mr C. Kingdom.
VCs after Mr Vincent Conway.
Houses compete for various honours over the course of the year, including the collection of stars for good work, pluses for helpful behaviour, industry for effort, inter-house Music and Quiz competitions and, of course, through sports days, swimming galas, cross country and all of the team sports.
Chapel
Three times a week the school day begins with a service at the school's late Victorian chapel. The school also celebrates the major festivals and a well-established carol service tradition. The school shares its Chaplain with Eastbourne College, who is currently Reverend Daniel Merceron.
Curriculum
The school prepares students to take Common Entrance examinations into public schools at the age of 13. The majority of pupils go to Eastbourne College after leaving, but the school has sent pupils to all other major public schools in the country.
Sport
St Andrew's competes against its prep school counterparts in matches held on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.
