Dorothy Stringer School

Last updated

Dorothy Stringer School
Dorothy Stringer High School - geograph.org.uk - 1624782.jpg
The school in 2009
Address
Dorothy Stringer School
Loder Road

, ,
BN1 6PZ

England
Coordinates 50°50′56″N0°08′36″W / 50.84893°N 0.14341°W / 50.84893; -0.14341
Information
Type Community school
MottoEducation for Life
Established1955
Local authority Brighton and Hove
Department for Education URN 114580 Tables
Ofsted Reports
HeadteacherMatt Hillier
Staff120
Gender Coeducational
Age11to 16
Enrolment1681
Colour(s)Black and yellow
Website www.dorothy-stringer.co.uk

Dorothy Stringer School is a secondary school located in Brighton, East Sussex, England. It has over 1,600 pupils [1] and 115 members of staff. There are 64 forms, each with an average of 26 students.

Contents

Location, Toponymy and History

The school is named after Dorothy Stringer, who was mayoress of Brighton in 1952 [2] and a member of the Council's education committee for over 50 years. [3] Dorothy Stringer's commitment to education was clear; when she got asked about the cost of building the school in 1955, she replied, 'Nothing is too good for the children of Brighton.' Now she haunts the school and chases people out of the back entrance and all the way along Stringer Way.

The pupils of the school used to be known as 'Dotty Stinkers', but not anymore.

The site of Dorothy Stringer School was once Varndean Farm (est. late nineteenth century) The land around the farm was purchased by Brighton County Borough Council's education committee in 1909, after a devastating outbreak of foot and mouth disease amongst the farm animals. [4] Five schools were built; Balfour Road Primary School and Junior School (opened 1924) Varndean Secondary School (opened 1926) and Varndean College Sixth Form College (opened 1931). Dorothy Stringer was opened in 1955. The campus is bounded by Surrenden Road, Loder Road, Balfour Road and Friar Crescent, with Stringer Way providing an alternative entrance via the main staff car park. Local buses include the 5B, the 94 and 94a, which serve as combined school buses for Dorothy Stringer and Varndean to Hanover and Kemptown. [5]

With the exception of Balfour Primary School, each of the institutions used to exist in a different educational form; Dorothy Stringer was a Secondary Modern School whilst Varndean College and Varndean School were Boys' and Girls' grammar schools for children who had gotten the highest scores on the eleven-plus respectively.

In 2003, the school was the subject of a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) programme involving several other schools (including the neighbouring Varndean Secondary School, Blatchington Mill School and Sixth Form College and what was the COMART College of Media and Arts), as well as the construction firm Jarvis. For Dorothy Stringer this involved the construction of a new sports hall and associated facilities, new music suites, art studios and some new ICT suites.

Awards and initiatives

Dorothy Stringer gained the Eco-Schools Green Flag award in 2000 and has maintained its status, updating the school as rules become stricter. [6] It was the only secondary school in Brighton to hold this award until its renewal in June 2016, [7] and the school secured the award for the 9th time in 2021. [8] In the late 1990s, the school focused on recycling and improving the look of the school grounds. Since 2000 the Dorothy Stringer Environmental Partnership has focused on increasing the biodiversity of the grounds [9] and solar power. [10] In 2003, a dilapidated classroom building set among the woodland was renovated into the Brian Foster Environment Centre, named after a late teacher. [11] From this base, Dorothy Stringer has become the lead environmental school in Brighton and Hove, forming international links with St Joseph's School in Le Havre [12] for which funding from the Franco-British Council [13] [ failed verification ] was won, and a student exchange trip is run for Year Seven pupils. Dorothy Stringer is also known for its forming of links with neighbouring schools and, within the school, involving a large number of students in educational environmental activities.

Dorothy Stringer became a specialist sports school in 2002 and despite the government abolishing specialisms in schools in 2012, sport remains an important feature: pupils receive at least two hours of sport education a week, in line with government guidelines. [14] Becoming a sports school has entailed the demolition of the sports hall and the construction of a new venue twice the size, with an additional dance studio, gym and changing rooms. [15] As part of the school's responsibilities as a sports school, Dorothy Stringer undertakes work to promote sport in local primary schools, which is chiefly done through the JSLA and a new scheme which involves establishing and nurturing dance clubs in local primary schools and organising a mass performance named "Let's Dance" [16] as well as their own Dorothy Stringer Dance Show, [17] both of which are held at the Brighton Dome. [18]

Dorothy Stringer is also a part of the Healthy School initiative, a Partnership Promotion School, a Training School, a recipient of money from the Big Lottery Fund for the school newsletter, and benefits from the European Union's III A programme. Dorothy Stringer has long owned the Dolawen Centre, [19] an outdoor pursuits centre on a working farm in the Snowdonia National Park near Bangor, north-west Wales. This facility allows the school to organise annual trips for its Year 7 pupils and lease the building for the use of other schools, organisations and individuals.

In January 2017, Dorothy Stringer was listed as one of the UK's best state schools in Tatler Magazine , [20] which praised the school's GCSE results and sports facilities.

Academies Act 2010

On 25 June the new Conservative-Liberal coalition released details of 'Outstanding' schools that had, so far, expressed an interest in Academy status, under the Academies Act 2010. Dorothy Stringer School was one of the education establishments on this list, indicating the governors' wish to receive more information and explore all possible options. [21]

Notable former students

Ken Browne incident

In September 2009 it was revealed that a senior member of the school's teaching staff, Ken Browne, had been arrested in July of that year under suspicion of possessing indecent images of children such as pictures of girls from year 7 in changing rooms. The school attempted to pre-empt scandal by first releasing information of Browne's arrest to parents via a letter, before later contacting the local paper, The Argus . Ken Browne was immediately removed from the teaching staff at the school and has since moved from the area. [25] On 20 January 2011, Browne pleaded guilty to his charges [26] and later that year was sentenced to 10 months in prison. [27]

Leslie Hoogland Incident

Leslie Hoogland was a former English teacher at Dorothy Stringer between 1978 and 1979, who was arrested in 2004 on suspicion of possessing child pornography whilst teaching in Toronto. [28]

Location of Foot-and-Mouth Pit

Prior to Varndean Farm ceasing its operations and the land being sold to the Council in 1909, [29] there was an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease amongst the livestock and a large pit was dug to bury the dead animals in. [30] The location of this pit is unknown, but there has been speculation that it was dug right beneath where the school's Religious Studies Department is. Some say that is why it always smells so bad on the stairs in F-Block.

'Secret' Roof Swimming Pool

Ever since Dorothy Stringer School was built there have been rumours of a 'secret' swimming pool on the roof of the atrium, only available for staff use. [31] There have even been reports of stray beach balls hitting students walking by the canteen and water splashing over the sides, drenching anyone walking beneath.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brighton</span> Seaside resort on the south coast of England

Brighton is a seaside resort and one of the two main areas of the city of Brighton and Hove in the county of East Sussex, England. It is located 47 miles (76 km) south of London. Archaeological evidence of settlement in the area dates back to the Bronze Age, Roman and Anglo-Saxon periods. The ancient settlement of "Brighthelmstone" was documented in the Domesday Book (1086). The town's importance grew in the Middle Ages as the Old Town developed, but it languished in the early modern period, affected by foreign attacks, storms, a suffering economy and a declining population. Brighton began to attract more visitors following improved road transport to London and becoming a boarding point for boats travelling to France. The town also developed in popularity as a health resort for sea bathing as a purported cure for illnesses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pete McCarthy</span> Irish comedian, radio & TV presenter & travel writer (1951-2004)

Peter Charles McCarthy Robinson was an Anglo-Irish comedian, radio and television presenter and travel writer. He was noted for his best-selling travel books McCarthy's Bar (2000) and The Road to McCarthy (2002), in which he explored western Ireland and the Irish diaspora around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whitehawk</span> Suburb of Brighton, England

Whitehawk is a suburb in the east of Brighton, England, south of Bevendean and north of Brighton Marina. The area is a large, modern housing estate built in a downland dry valley historically known as Whitehawk Bottom. The estate was originally developed by the local council between 1933 and 1937 and included nearly 1,200 residences. Subsequently, the Swanborough flats were built in 1967, and in the 1970s and 1980s much of the estate was rebuilt by altering the road layouts and increasing the number of houses. Whitehawk is part of the East Brighton ward of Brighton and Hove City Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brighton College</span> Public school in East Sussex, England

Brighton College is a fee-charging, co-educational, boarding and day public school for boys and girls aged 3 to 18 in Brighton and Hove, England, UK. The school has three sites: Brighton College, Brighton College Preparatory School and the Pre-Prep School.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helena Normanton</span> British barrister and activist (1882–1957)

Helena Florence Normanton, QC was the first female barrister in the United Kingdom. In November 1922, she was the second woman to be called to the Bar of England and Wales, following the example set by Ivy Williams in May 1922. When she married, she kept her surname and in 1924, she was the first British married woman to have a passport in the name she was born with. In October 2021, Normanton was honoured by the installation of an English Heritage Blue plaque at her London home in Mecklenburgh Square.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inverkeithing High School</span> Secondary school in Inverkeithing, Fife, Scotland

Inverkeithing High School is a secondary school located in Inverkeithing, a historic town on Fife's southern coast 3½ miles from Dunfermline city centre, 9½ miles from Edinburgh city centre, and in between the towns and villages of Dalgety Bay, Rosyth and North Queensferry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mile Oak</span> Area of Brighton and Hove, England

Mile Oak is a locality forming the northern part of the former parish of Portslade in the northwest corner of the city of Brighton and Hove, England. Now mostly residential, but originally an area of good-quality agricultural land, it covers the area north of Portslade village as far as the urban boundary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patcham</span> Human settlement in England

Patcham is a suburb in the city of Brighton and Hove, in the ceremonial county of East Sussex, England. It is about 3 miles (5 km) north of the city centre. It is bounded by the A27 to the north, Hollingbury to the east and southeast, Withdean to the south and the Brighton Main Line to the west. The A23 passes through the area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Varndean School</span> Community school in Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, England

Varndean School is a secondary school serving a large area of Brighton, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Varndean College</span> Sixth form college in Brighton, East Sussex, England

Varndean College is a sixth form college in Brighton and Hove that serves the needs of sixth form students and adults.

The Hastings Academy, formerly known as Hillcrest, is a secondary school in Hastings, East Sussex, England. The Hastings Academy opened on 1 September 2011 moving into a new building during February 2013. The school has around 900 students and over 100 staff. It is run by the University of Brighton Academies Trust.

Cardinal Newman Catholic School is an 11–18 voluntary aided comprehensive school located in Hove, East Sussex, England. It is a Catholic mixed comprehensive; established to serve the many parishes that lie on the coastal band between Newhaven and Seaford in the east and Shoreham in the west.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portslade Aldridge Community Academy</span> Academy in Portslade, Brighton, East Sussex, United Kingdom

Portslade Aldridge Community Academy (PACA) (formerly Portslade Community College) is a OFSTED rated 'Good' secondary school led by Principal Mr Mark Poston located in Portslade, in the city of Brighton and Hove, England. The school has around 1000 pupils. It is part of the Aldridge Education multi-academy trust.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sir Robert Woodard Academy</span> Academy in Sompting, West Sussex, England

The Sir Robert Woodard Academy is a mixed gender academy, sponsored by Woodard Schools and West Sussex County Council, in Lancing, West Sussex which opened in September 2009. Their motto is “Inspire to Achieve.” Children from ages 11 to 18 can be enrolled in that academy. The academy, which serves the communities of Lancing and Sompting, replaced Boundstone Community College, which closed in August 2009. The academy is named after Robert Woodard, great-grandson of Nathaniel Woodard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Longhill High School</span> Community school in Rottingdean, East Sussex, England

Longhill High School is a co-educational secondary school for 11 to 16 year-olds, which is located in Rottingdean, Brighton and Hove, East Sussex. The school grounds are served by Brighton & Hove bus routes 2, 22, 72, 72A and 76, 76A.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bear Road, Brighton</span>

The Bear Road area is a largely residential area in the east of Brighton, part of the English city of Brighton and Hove. Centred on the steep west–east road of that name, it is characterised by terraced houses of the early 20th century, but Brighton's main cemeteries were established here in the 19th century and there is also some industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prestonville, Brighton</span> Suburb of Brighton, East Sussex, England

Prestonville is a largely residential area in the northwest of Brighton, part of the English city of Brighton and Hove. It covers a long, narrow and steeply sloping ridge of land between the Brighton Main Line and Dyke Road, two major transport corridors which run north-northwestwards from the centre of Brighton. Residential development started in the 1860s and spread northwards, further from central Brighton, over the next six decades. The area is characterised by middle-class and upper-middle-class housing in various styles, small-scale commercial development and long eastward views across the city. Two Anglican churches serve Prestonville—one at each end of the area—and there are several listed buildings.

Gilbert Murray Simpsonfriba (1869–1954) was a British architect from Brighton who did most of his work in the seaside resort. In 1890 Simpson joined his father Thomas, architect to the Brighton and Preston School Board and the Hove School Board, and helped to design some of the "distinguished group of board schools" for those institutions during the late 19th century. He took over the firm of Thomas Simpson & Son when his father died in 1908, and went on to design several other institutional buildings in Brighton. His elder brother Sir John William Simpson was also an architect.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Penelope Lawrence</span> Co-founder of Roedean School, Brighton

Penelope "P.L." Lawrence aka Nelly was a British co-founder of Roedean School in Brighton with her half sisters, Dorothy Lawrence and Millicent Lawrence.

References

  1. "Dorothy Stringer School - GOV.UK". get-information-schools.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  2. Collis 2010 , p. 301.
  3. "Dorothy Stringer OBE (1894 - 1977)". Brighton & Hove Women's History Group. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  4. "Small Varndean farm established c1800s". My Brighton and Hove. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  5. "Secondary School Buses". Brighton & Hove Buses website. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  6. "School Grounds". eco-schools.org.uk. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  7. "School Search". eco-schools.org.uk. Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  8. 1 2 "Stringer Press | Spring Term 2021". Issuu. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  9. "Butterfly Havens". Dorothy Stringer School website. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  10. "Travel". Dorothy Stringer School website. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  11. "The Brian Foster Environment Centre". Dorothy Stringer School website. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  12. "International relationships / Presentation". Saint-Jo College lycée privé. Archived from the original on 8 November 2007. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  13. "Franco-British Council". Franco-British Council.
  14. "Minister exercised over PE issue". BBC News. 16 January 2006.
  15. "Dorothy Stringer School Brighton BN1 6PZ". sports-facilities.co.uk. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  16. "Lets Dance: 20 Years of Brighton's Best School Dance Event". 13 October 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  17. "Dorothy Stringer Dance Show: Inspiring Performances at Brighton Dome". 20 October 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  18. "Let's Dance – thousands of Brighton and Hove school children step out on stage at the Dome". Brighton and Hove News. 17 March 2016. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  19. "dolawen_main". public.dorothy-stringer.co.uk. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  20. "The Tatler guide to the best state secondary schools 2017". Tatler. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  21. Richardson, Hannah (25 June 2010). "Would-be academy list published". BBC News.
  22. Davidson, Max (9 June 2009). "State vs independent schools: Brighton, East Sussex". ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  23. "Dorothy Stringer Prize Giving Evening".
  24. "Brighton boy Seann Walsh on his new show, The Lie-In King".
  25. Morgan, Tom (5 September 2009). "Top teacher is hled on child porn charges". Daily Express .
  26. Massey, Nina (21 January 2011). "Paedophile deputy head pleads guilty to making child sex images". News Shopper . Orpington.
  27. "Former Brighton teacher jailed over child pornography". BBC News. 24 February 2011.
  28. "Teacher arrested over child pictures". The Argus. 19 May 2004. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  29. "Small Varndean farm established c1800s". My Brighton and Hove. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  30. Carder, Timothy (1990). encyclopedia of brighton. east sussex county libraries.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  31. Gartland, Lester (29 February 2024). "The Best Swimming Pools In Brighton". We Love Brighton. Retrieved 16 November 2024.

Bibliography