Towers Convent School

The Towers was an independent Roman Catholic day school for girls aged 4–16 and boys up to age 11 in Upper Beeding near Steyning, West Sussex, England. Housed in a French chateau, it is located in the semi-rural outskirts of Steyning, about 5 miles (8.0 km) north of Shoreham-by-Sea.

School chapel

The Towers
Address
Henfield Road

Steyning
,
West Sussex
,
BN44 3TF

England
Coordinates50°52′47″N 0°17′55″W
Information
MottoSemper fidelis
("Always faithful")
Religious affiliation(s)Roman Catholic
Established1903-2020
Department for Education URN126124 Tables
Websitewww.thetowersschool.org

History

The Towers was founded by the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament . They had left France for England to escape the increasing anti-religious environment, having been invited by Mrs.Maling Wynch, a friend of the Congregation, to take up residence at The Towers, currently leased by her brother-in-law. The first pupils arrived from France in 1903 to begin classes. After renting The Towers for several years, Elizabeth Maling Wynch (later to become Sister Mary Agnes), bought the property, and left it to the Congregation in her will. Currently, there are six Sisters at the school as well as a local priest who also lives on site.

The Towers

The Towers takes its name from the building and the surrounding premises it occupies. It was once owned by the Lord of the Manor of Beeding. The Towers was sold to George Smith during the 1870s. The original building was completed in 1883 and was described as a "monument to Victorian extravagance" or "Smith's folly" due to its construction cost. The Towers was turned into a hunting lodge before the Sisters took over.[1] The original buildings were designated Grade II listed buildings in 1980.[2]

Time for change

Due to falling pupil numbers which resulted in the school not being financially viable, the Sisters made the difficult decision to announce that the school would close at the end of the 2020 academic year.

From September 2020, the premises are being leased to Steyning Grammar School and will become a sixth form centre. The Sisters will remain resident at The Towers continuing their community work.

References

  1. History of The Towers
  2. The Towers Convent - British Listed Buildings

https://www.thetowersschool.org/about-us/our-history/

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