Celebrating Worthing High’s centenary

Worthing High School celebrates its centenary this year and Phil Klemenic has shared some information and photos from the school’s archive.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Feb 2014, 13:00 GMT
County High School, Worthing, in 1914County High School, Worthing, in 1914
County High School, Worthing, in 1914

Phil, who is the centenary co-ordinator at the school, said: “The main building of the new County High School for girls is shown in the main photo, taken by a girl called Eva.

“The photo was taken just after the school opened in 1914 has changed little over the past 100 years compared to the site today, with the exception of the car park.

“But what has happened to the bell tower?

A drill display at the school on May 27, 1915A drill display at the school on May 27, 1915
A drill display at the school on May 27, 1915
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“In 1914, when the school moved to the South Farm Road site from its former residence at 16 Bedford Row, the school could take 150 girls.

“By 1931, after major building additions had been made, the numbers expanded to over 480.

“Another photo shows a drill display at the school on May 27, 1915.

“The wing extending from the bell tower block was lengthened and an additional level added during building work in the 1930s.

Eva and her friendsEva and her friends
Eva and her friends
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“The green house probably linked onto the biology lab. The picture below shows Eva and her friends in the greenhouse section.

“The photos used in this article come from a photographic record made by Eva, who was a student at the original site in Bedford Row and moved to the new school in South Farm Road in 1914 as a member of the IV form.

“Clearly hockey was popular at the time, but required no specific sports dress as the pinafores appear the same in both photos.

“Is the road in the background of the photo St Lawrence Road?

Girls playing hockey at the school in 1913Girls playing hockey at the school in 1913
Girls playing hockey at the school in 1913
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“The photograph is dated 1913, and the fencing looks just as it does now, except newer, so it is possible the girls are playing on the South Farm Road site while work progressed on the main building.”

“The final photo shows the IV form in 1915. Were the trees from the site and remained after the completion of the new building? Was the wood used in the school boilers?”

Worthing High School is holding a centenary reunion for past members of the school on Friday, July 4. For further information and a registration form please visit the school website: www.worthinghigh.net

If you have any more photos or information about Worthing High School which could be added to their archive, please get in touch.

IV Form in 1915IV Form in 1915
IV Form in 1915
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n Send your memories and photos to James Connaughton, via email to [email protected], send them by post or pop into Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 1NA. Telephone 01903 282351.