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- Care, respect, achievement
- The first 383 years
- Specialist college status
The first 383 years
Today's school originated in 1619 with the will of the Reverend William Parker, Rector of All Saints, Hastings, which provided funds for "a religious and Godlie Schoolmaster in the Towne". When, in 1708, the will of James Saunders also provided for a boys school, the forerunner of Hastings Grammar School was born. Both gentlemen were commemorated in the names of Houses, the system which has traditionally been strong in the School, dating from a time when boys were actually billeted in houses in the town. 'Billets' were the lot of boys and masters alike when, in July 1940, with invasion apparently imminent, the school was evacuated en masse to St. Albans in Hertfordshire.In 1964 the school moved from its home of 94 years in Nelson Road to its present site in Parkstone Road. The Park Avenue buildings were added in 1978 when, amalgamating with Hastings Secondary School, the school became the only all boys Comprehensive School in East Sussex.
Since then, the acclaimed Phoenix Arts Centre has risen from the ashes of the School Hall which burned down in 1993; the partnership with Hastings and Bexhill Rugby Club has brought their clubhouse and the levelling of the pitches; and the athletics track has been dramatically upgraded, floodlit and relaunched as the William Parker Community Athletics Arena.
Now, with Sports College status, and with the new joint sixth-form with Helenswood School, the School is well placed to go on from strength to strength as it approaches its four hundredth anniversary.