History

Rossall was founded in 1844 in the former Rossall Hall as an Anglican boarding school through the exertions of the Rev. St. Vincent Beechey. It was founded "with the object of giving to the sons of clergymen and others an education similar to that of the great public schools, but without the great cost of Eton or Harrow, and embracing also a more general course of instruction in modern literature and science." Admission was by nomination and annual payment.

The new school prospered and by the end of the 1860s some fine buildings, including two chapels and an imposing Archway complex, provided accommodation for 350 boys. Academic results were excellent and Rossall also established the first school Volunteer Corps in 1860. 1,617 Old Rossallians fought in the war of 1914-1918 and during the 1920s the School enjoyed a period of great prosperity, building for itself on of the most impressive of school Dining Halls. The number of pupils climbed to well over 500 but fell during the 1930s when a serious economic depression affected the whole of Britain, and especially Lancashire. The second world war of 1939-1945 enforced a whole school evacuation to Cumberland, but the School re-established itself back at the Fleetwood campus during the 1950s and 1960s.

A Move to Co-education

Although girls had occasionally been admitted to the Rossall Sixth Form since 1971 and to the Junior School since 1976, Rossall effectively became a co-educational school in the September term of 1977 when eleven day girls joined the Senior School.

Embracing thee Global Society

The 1990s saw Rossall adopting a more global perspective with the opening of a dedicated International Study Centre in 1995 followed by the introduction of the International Baccalaureate Diploma at Sixth Form in 1998.

Rossall Today

Through more than a century’s experience and changing times, Rossall has continued to provide an educational experience that is challenging yet supportive, broad but well-informed. Our traditional boarding element is now complemented by a strong day student continent and of our 650 students, ten percent come from countries other than the UK. This diverse group of boys and girls live and learn in an environment with unparalleled opportunities, and go on to attend leading universities throughout the UK and the world.

The School’s original ivy-clad historic buildings remain clustered around a collegiate-style quadrangle with the Sumner Library at its centre. Accommodation has been sensitively modernised in recent years and the extensive campus now includes an impressive range of facilities within a safe yet stimulating environment.

History In Print

You can read more about Rossall’s history in the following books:

Rossall School, Its Rise and Progress by Canon St Vincent Beechy (1894)
The Centenary History of Rossall School by William Furness (1945)
A Very Desolate Place by Peter Bennett (1977)*
Rossall Will Be What You Make It by Peter Bennett (1992)*
The Tide Flows on by Derek Winterbottom (2006)*

Those books marked * may be purchased from the Old Rossallian Club. Contact Jen Booth, Secretary of the Old Rossallian Club on

+44 (0)1253 877420 or go to www.rossallianclub.co.uk

Rossall Square 100 years ago

Rossall School Song:
The Carmen