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.
Trinity Trees in 1885
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.
The School
before the top floor was built
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.
A typical
classroom in 1966
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.
One of our first video lessons in the 1970s
Dave
Russell was Director of Studies from 1985 to 2005. Glynis Chuter and Louise
Hammond have both worked in our Reception for more than ten years. Other
long-serving teachers include Glyn Hodgson (now Director of Studies), Rolf
Donald, Christine Hale, Graham Smith, Michael Nutt, 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.
Dorothy Rippon
welcomes guests at the 60th anniversary party in 1996
Do you have memories of
Eastbourne School of English?
Tell us about your stay in Eastbourne and we
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