Towers Convent School

The Towers Convent School (colloquially called "The Towers") is an independent Roman Catholic day school for girls aged 2-16 and boys up to age 8 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

History

The Towers Convent School 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.

The Towers

Towers Convent takes its name from the building and its surrounding premises it occupies. Records indicate that "The Towers" has existed at least as far back as 1750 although it is believed to have pre-existed this date. 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]

References

External links

• Profile on the ISC website