Tom Lawson

At Eastbourne College, Tom Lawson sees a school for 'bold learners, authentic all rounders and good people that others want to be with'. He shares with Attain his vision for the College.

"I love that a school can be a home, a community, a source of education and friendship in so much more than just the classroom."

Tom Lawson has a clear vision for Eastbourne College pupils, wanting them to be 'bold learners, authentic all rounders and good people that others want to be with'. The College, situated with the South Downs National Park on its doorstep, offers day and boarding places for boys and girls from 13 to 18 years.

Tom was appointed Headmaster of Eastbourne College in 2016, having started his teaching career at Winchester College, becoming a Housemaster and Under Master, before moving to Christ's Hospital as Deputy Head.‍

'I have always believed in schools that have a strong boarding ethos,' says Tom. 'With plenty of domestic boarders as well as pupils from 38 countries, Eastbourne has the boarding rhythm at its heart. I love that a school can be a home, a community, a source of education and friendship in so much more than just the classroom. As Headmaster, I get to do the very best job – able to represent the school and its values, meet parents, and tell the story of a place where young people can thrive in the company of one another.'

If you had to identify one aspect of Eastbourne College – a school offering so many opportunities to pupils – which acts as a glue to bring everything together, it's pastoral care. 'For us, everything starts with the pastoral: we aim for young people who are cared for and feel comfortable in themselves and in their school community,' says Tom Lawson. 'If we can get that right, we can then provide the stretch and healthy pressure which sees them go on to achieve marvellous things without it being stressful to do so.'

At Eastbourne College, there is a strong emphasis on supporting the individual strengths of pupils and helping them to 'find their own superb'. For Tom, it's about providing the right environment to facilitate this: 'I see the College like a bamboo cane in a vegetable bed where the pupils can grow towards the sun with us providing the support, but grow in their own direction.' The school achieves strong academic results but welcomes a wide ability range, providing stretch for every pupil.

He concludes: 'Our pupils go on to highly competitive universities in the UK and abroad, well prepared for further study, but very much their own person and have developed passions through the excellent teaching and broad curriculum. Moreover, they have gained lifelong friends here, developing the spirit of camaraderie that will see them making many more through later life.'

Read more about Tom Lawson on the Headmaster's introduction page of the Eastbourne College website.