Sussex


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Lancingbuilding-1000x667.jpg" alt="Lancing College, Sussex" class="wp-image-82267" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Lancingbuilding-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Lancingbuilding-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Lancingbuilding-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Lancingbuilding.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>For pupils at <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/lancing-college/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lancing College</a> in West Sussex, term-time Saturdays begin no differently to weekday mornings. Or so it might seem to an outsider… Yes, the children are in uniform and their timetables start bright and early, but that’s where the similarities end because rather than being just another school morning, this is a time for embracing breadth and depth. The Monday to Friday schedule can be intense, especially when it’s squeezed by the independent sector’s shorter terms. Adding Saturday morning classes creates a balanced, roomier week, supporting wellbeing and enabling a more holistic education, with plenty of opportunities for sport, the arts, and all-important personal growth.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Still not convinced? We asked Lancing’s Director of Admissions, Hilary Dugdale to fill us in. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-it-really-every-term-time-saturday">Is it really every term-time Saturday? </h3>



<p>In reality this is only 22 Saturdays across the whole year. Each half term and holiday begins and ends with a full weekend; so the other 30 Saturdays of the year are either within half terms (three of them in the October half term alone!) or during Exeat weekends (5 each year; when the school &nbsp;is closed from 4.00pm on a Friday for the whole weekend. The rest of the Saturdays fall within the Easter or Christmas holidays (3 weeks’ holiday each) or the Summer holiday (9 weeks). </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Lancingtracksuits-1000x667.jpg" alt="Lancing College, Sussex" class="wp-image-82268" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Lancingtracksuits-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Lancingtracksuits-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Lancingtracksuits-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Lancingtracksuits.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-lancing-college-have-saturday-school-when-most-independents-no-longer-do"><strong>Why does Lancing College have Saturday school when most independents no longer do?</strong></h3>



<p>It is exceptionally rare for an independent senior school not to have significant Saturday obligations for its pupils. Typically, this includes matches and other sporting commitments, as well as Open Mornings and special events. As a result, many pupils are required to attend on numerous Saturdays throughout the term. In practice, these schools often do not offer Exeat weekends – designated breaks when families can be assured of no school commitments – meaning that Saturdays are rarely completely free. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Lancingmusic-1000x667.jpg" alt="Lancing College, Sussex" class="wp-image-82264" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Lancingmusic-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Lancingmusic-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Lancingmusic-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Lancingmusic.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-there-are-so-many-chances-for-children-to-be-involved-in-sporting-and-musical-activities-beyond-school-on-a-saturday-morning-aren-t-they-going-to-be-missing-out"><strong>There are so many chances for children to be involved in sporting and musical activities beyond school on a Saturday morning – aren’t they going to be missing out?</strong> </h3>



<p>Not at all. Lancing looks very carefully at the individual and calibrates its care and opportunities accordingly. For pupils who are playing performing on the national stage, we enable access to the best opportunities for enrichment and extension. This might be superb musicians accessing the Royal College or Royal Academy of Music Saturday schools; it might be elite sportswomen and men training at the highest club level either locally and nationally; it might be pupils in productions on stage or film enabled to travel to fulfil such commitments, and supported in keeping abreast with their academic work. One of the greatest hidden benefits of the extra time created by Saturday school is the wealth of opportunities it opens up during the week – sports, music, drama, the arts, service activities, enrichment programs, and skill development.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-but-won-t-it-disrupt-family-life">But won&#8217;t it disrupt family life? </h3>



<p>Parents and pupils consistently share that this leads to better, more meaningful time together. Instead of spending weekends in the car shuttling between activities, families enjoy genuine downtime.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Lancingties-1000x667.jpg" alt="Lancing College, Sussex" class="wp-image-82266" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Lancingties-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Lancingties-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Lancingties-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Lancingties.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-do-parents-tell-you-about-their-experience-of-saturday-school">What do parents tell you about their experience of Saturday school? </h3>



<p>For young adolescents, parents report being happy that their children are gainfully and constructively occupied, in a safe environment, with their friends and away from their screens. For older adolescents, parents are delighted by the Super-Curriculum, the introduction to careers events and university preparation, the enrichment opportunities of the EPQ or modules on coding and robotics or entrepreneurship&nbsp;– preparation for life beyond school.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-and-pupils-themselves">And pupils themselves? </h3>



<p>Saturday school becomes part of the school week. It opens opportunities and (because the days starts later, there are only 4 lessons, starting with a tutor period) it feels qualitatively different from Monday to Friday. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Lancingchess-1000x667.jpg" alt="Lancing College, Sussex" class="wp-image-82263" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Lancingchess-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Lancingchess-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Lancingchess-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Lancingchess.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-the-single-greatest-benefit-that-saturday-school-provides">What&#8217;s the single greatest benefit that Saturday school provides? </h3>



<p>Space, time and community. It enables breathing space in the week; a rich Co-Curricular programme and time with peers and dedicated staff that opens the door to opportunities. The one-to-one tutorial that takes place at the start of Saturday mornings is key to this: a chance to reflect on the week gone by and to plan for the week ahead, and to set bigger targets as stepping stones towards GCSEs, A Levels, University, and life beyond school. </p>



<p><em>Ready to learn more? The next Lancing College <a href="https://www.lancingcollege.co.uk/lancing-college/admissions/open-events-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Open Day</a> (Third Form entry) is on 7 Feb 2026. </em></p>



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Why Saturday school is the secret to a well-balanced, holistic education

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