This fascinating collection of photographs and prints from the archives tells the history of Brighton College from its foundation in the easy years of Queen Victoria's reign to the present day. It chronicles its evolution from a small public school for boys to the vibrant co-educational community which was recently described in The Times as 'One of England's leading schools'. Readers will discover how the fortunes of the college have at various times in its history been closely linked with those of the town. The story of both might have been very different had there been sufficient money available in 1845 for the new educational institution to have established itself in the Royal Pavilion. The most recognisable symbol of the town was up for sale and the founders of the college were looking for a suitable site! This history should prove of interest to all those connected with the college - staff, pupils and parents, past and present. It should also attract a wider readership from those who wich to learn more about a Brighton landmark which has been in existence for over 160 years and has stood the test of time.

Brighton College is important in the story of English education. It pioneered the use of separate classrooms, set up the first purpose-built science laboratory, the first gymnasium and invented the school magazine. Later, it fought the legal battle to obtain charitable status for non-profit-making organisations. Here the author investigates not just the school, but also questions the identity of the public school system, how much has changed in the last 150 years, from the controlled life of the schoolboy of 1955 compared with almost unlimited freedom in 1855.

Over its 143-year history, St. John's has been a remarkable and enduring part of Brighton's educational landscape.This book charts the way in which Sister Jane Borradaile, its tireless and resourceful foundress, raised money to build a home for the care of less-fortunate children in Victorian England. They were predominantly victims of deprivation in the East End, who went to St. John's to convalesce. Also taken in were orphan girls who were trained for domestic service. The home adapted itself to the needs of a different world in 1957 by becoming a residential school for children with special needs. It has since extended its site and its age range to become a nationally acknowledged centre for those aged five to 25 with autism and other related conditions. The story of St. John's is interspersed with many contemporary photographs and with personal accounts from young people who went there to convalesce in the middle of the last century. Feature articles help to place it in the context of the wider world. The book makes clear that the level of care extended to young people has remained constant throughout the 100 years since the death of Sister Jane.