Varndean College


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

Location

Varndean College is on Surrenden Road, in the northern part of Brighton. It shares the Surrenden campus with Balfour Junior School, Balfour Infants School, Dorothy Stringer School and Varndean Secondary School.

History

The college was founded in 1884 in York Place, Brighton, as a boys' secondary school and moved to its current site in 1932, later attaining grammar school status, becoming Varndean Grammar School for Boys, administered by the Education Committee for the County Borough of Brighton. In 1972 the first girls were admitted to the school, and in 1975 it became a sixth form college under its first principal, David A.G. Turner.

Former Headmasters and Principals

Varndean Grammar School for Boys
  • 1884–1901 Edwin H. Lethbridge
  • 1902–1932 William J. Stainer
  • 1932–1963 Eric J. Hutchins
  • 1963–1970 John E. Mollison
  • 1970–1975 David A.G. Turner
Varndean College
  • 1975–1988 David A.G. Turner
  • 1988–2006 Alan Jenkins
  • 2006–2020 Philip Harland
  • 2020–present day Donna-Marie Janson

    Notable alumni

The Old Varndeanian Association exists to maintain a network between former pupils and students of both the school and college, as well as former pupils of Varndean Girls' School. The association maintains contact with thousands of Old Varndeanians and organises regular reunions and other functions.