History
The history of Eastbourne School of English
Eastbourne School of English was established in the summer of 1936 by Miss Frances Batchelor. She had the dream of encouraging young people to learn the English language and to build friendship between the nations of the world. Miss Batchelor was well travelled and was a member of the United Nations Association. She died in 1962.
The school moved to its present building at Graham House, 8 Trinity Trees in 1947. At first the school took only girls and the students had bedrooms in the building.
In 1960 the school became a founder member of ARELS, the Association of Recognised English Language Schools.
Under Henry Savill, the next Principal, the school became a Charitable Educational Trust in 1966. It still has this status today.
Robert Angelo was the Principal in the 1970s, a boom time for English language courses in the UK. He modernised the building, installing a language laboratory and adding an extra floor to the school. “School House” in Carlisle Road, Eastbourne, became his home and was also used as a residence for students.
Dorothy Rippon joined the school at this time, first as a Social Organiser, then teacher and Director of Studies. When Mr Angelo retired due to ill health she took over as Principal in 1980, a post she held for twenty years. Dorothy introduced our popular Fifty Plus courses for mature students.
About 75,000 students have studied at the school since 1936. Our oldest student was Friedl Theiler from Switzerland, 93 years old when she took her last course with us. And our most regular visitor is Conny Waeber, also from Switzerland, who has followed summer courses with us every year since the mid 1990s.
The building in Lismore Road was purchased in 1985 so that all students could be taught in the centre of Eastbourne. The lower ground floor was converted into a large Learning Centre where students can study independently. Graham White became Principal in 2000 when Dorothy Rippon retired. Many of our current staff have had long service at the school.
Dave Russell was Director of Studies from 1985 to 2005. Glynis Chuter has worked in our Reception since 1992. Long-serving teachers include Glyn Hodgson (now Director of Studies), Rolf Donald (Head of Teacher Training), Graham Smith, Patsy Dinc, Mark Hill and David (Mitch) Mitchell. Their excellent teaching means the school continues to enjoy a reputation as one of the best English language schools in the UK.
On 30 November 2010, the charities governing Eastbourne School of English and The English Language Centre Brighton combined forces. Graham White retired as Principal and Phil Hopkins, ELC Brighton Principal, became Chief Executive Officer of the merged charity. The school continues to operate to a high standard with Rebecca Willis and Glyn Hodgson jointly managing the Eastbourne school.
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