The following is an extract from the story of Shoreham Grammar School, an independent boys school in West Sussex as remembered by Rev. F R D Kennedy, Chaplain.

Having moved from the original premises in Shoreham, the Grammar School was now in housed in a vacant school property belonging to St. Andrew's Church, Worthing.

When the new term began M. Wright had some of the senior boarders in the accommodation originally meant for the junior boarders. Mr. Wills had about a dozen boarders for the first month in accommodation found by Mr. Tapsell and Mr. Curtis had about twelve boys in the Chaplain's old house in Buckingham Avenue, Shoreham-by-Sea, which fortunately at that time had not been sold.

Both parties from Brighton and Shoreham came to the School at Clifton Road, Worthing, for their breakfast, which was organised by the School caterer, Miss S. Reeves.

In the meantime the Chaplain had been fortunate enough with the help of a further mortgage from the Steyning Building Society to buy another property, Sutton Lodge, 65 (later 69), Chesswood Road, Worthing.

At the beginning of the Christmas Term the Chaplain, Mrs. Kennedy and a matron were able to welcome ten boarders. At the beginning of December an extension was added to Sutton Lodge which was ready before the Easter Term to provide better accommodation, a large dormitory, two extra rooms, toilets and bath and showers.

Although at first the change of plans seemed to be a setback, it made it possible for there to be some co-operation between the boarding-houses - and so more economical.

The boarders had dinner and tea at School on weekdays and supper at Rosemary Mount. For the first year the junior boarders had all their weekend meals at Sutton Lodge and also supper on weekdays, but this was found uneconomic on account of there being only ten boarders, so only breakfast was served later.

The boarders walked to School and back, at least a mile each way. At first some of the boarders of Rosemary Mount travelled by train but it took almost as long, walking no doubt was very good for them.

Games were played on a field about a hundred yards from the Clifton Road School, matches were played at a Rotary Ground, Broadwater. On Saints' days the School used the beautiful Church of St. Andrew's in Worthing. On Sundays the School went to St. George's Church, East Worthing.

Mr. Kenneth Loader, the solicitor, M. C. S. H. Holloway, and Mr. Turner of Barclays Bank were a tremendous help at the time of change and moves. The first move was possible only because of the hard work and support of so very many people.

The new Company had plenty of goodwill, but little cash - a little less than £10,000 was given or lent in response to the 1965 appeal - but the new company paid for the School furniture and huts, and also the alterations that were necessary for the Rosemary Mount, Sutton Lodge and Clifton Road properties.

The Chaplain with the help of Steyning Building Society and Barclays Bank financed the boarding houses. It was a venture of faith.

Mr Wright did wonderful work in organising the move. He was responsible for the moving of the schoolroom furniture, etc. to Clifton Road, also the boarding furniture to Rosemary Mount and to Sutton Lodge. He also helped to arrange the new school timetable.

Mr. Bruder was always at hand to help. He lived in his bungalow in the Upper Shoreham Road, behind the old playing field. He was in his sixties - it was a heavy and almost overpowering move and transition for an elderly headmaster to undertake, but for two years the School at Worthing had his guidance and wisdom as Headmaster.

There was also the Chairman of the Governors, the Venerable D. H. Booth, who always seemed to find time to advise the School, attend its functions and interest outsiders in its affairs. We were fortunate to have him as our chairman. There was also Miss M. Johnson, the School Secretary, who served the School so loyally under the Trust.

We had been at Worthing for nearly three years and had looked for alternative premises, but with the limited finance at our disposal we could not find any suitable property. In my opinion the School if it were to remain in Worthing would probably become a coaching establishment. The object of the Trust was to ensure the continuation of the old Shoreham Grammar School, but for that to be, it had to be financially viable.

After a week in Yorkshire after Easter in 1968 a telephone message told me that negotiations between Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Lewis of Caius School, Kingston House, Mr. Patmore, Mr. Walters, (the then Headmaster of Shoreham Grammar School) and Mr. West, our accountant, had broken down. It was suggested that I might be able to help.

Mr. Lewis in response to a telephone call promised to see me at Kingston House the next morning. Mr. Lewis and I first had a friendly discussion before we were joined by Mrs. Lewis. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis told me that they wished to retire, but that they would like to safeguard the future education of the Caius boys.

Later Mr. Kenneth Loader, the solicitor, joined us to give guidance. The result was that Mr. and Mrs. Lewis offered a very generous lease to me but not to the Kennedy Independent School Trust Ltd. It was a twenty-one year lease at the rent of £3,000 per annum (£1,000 in the first month of each term) with the option to buy at the end of the seventh and fourteenth year for £55,000-£67,500.

In 1968 we were worried about the rate of inflation and both Mrs. Lewis and myself tried to think of some scheme that would safeguard the interests of the Lewis family, if there were a great fall in the value of the pound.

There were some members of the School Council who advised me to be cautious and await the approval of the Council. The Archdeacon, Chairman of the School Committee, the headmaster and the teaching staff of Shoreham Grammar School welcomed the hope of a move back to Shoreham.

On or about May 1st, 1968, the tenancy agreement was ready for signature and after taking further legal advice I signed the agreement in the first week of May. If the worst had come it was my intention to use Kingston House to continue the education of the Caius boys or as a coaching establishment.

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis showed me the kindest consideration. The Caius school equipment was offered at a reasonable price and although the lease only began on September 1st, they very kindly allowed the School Trust to carry out repairs and alterations.

Mr. Lewis offered his full co-operation. The old Shoreham Grammar science timber building of 1957, which had served as dormitories at Rosemary Mount, was moved to the grounds of Kingston House to provide an art room and two junior form rooms.

Once more the School had a big move, the desks and equipment from the Clifton Road School and the School furniture from the two boarding houses to Kingston. Once more the smoothness and efficiency of the move was due to the great organising ability and hard work of Mr. Wright and to the same removers, Unsteds.

The Vicar and Churchwardens of St. Andrew's School were always helpful to the School by releasing the Kennedy Independent School Trust Ltd. from the conditions of the lease without any penalty.

The old St. Andrew's School at Clifton Road was demolished soon after and on its site flats were erected.