History
History & Heritage
We are proud of our heritage in educating boys and girls since 1803 and the good work we do via our charity. We are also proud to have had HM the Queen as our Patron, until her recent death, and we now have HM King Charles III as our new Royal Patron.
The roots of LVS Ascot go back to an organisation, founded long ago, that had the noble intention of benefitting the children of its members.
Our longevity and robustness, via being managed by a centuries-old and well-resourced charity, has given our school financial stability through many troubled times from the Napoleonic Wars through to Covid-19. This has always made us a safe investment for a child’s ongoing education.
Kennington
In 1793 a group of ten members of the licensed victualling trade decided to form themselves into a friendly society called the Society of Licensed Victuallers. They first met in Fleet Street (first picture) to discuss their plans for the formation of the charity which was set up to provide support and education to people working in the licensed trade.
That founding organisation is now called the Licensed Trade Charity, and it has offered kindness, care, education and financial support to those in need for well over 200 years. A recent example of the charity’s good work was assisting with the rigours endured by people working in the hospitality trade during the Covid pandemic.
The first Licensed Victualler’s School was set up in Kennington, London in 1803 (pictured). The School was granted a Royal Charter in 1836. LVS Ascot is one of three schools now owned and managed by the Licensed Trade Charity, the other two are specialist schools in Oxford and Hassocks near Brighton.
Slough
In 1803, only young people whose parents worked in the licensed trade would be accepted at the school. Today the school extends its reach beyond, and accepts student applications from all walks of life, whatever their parents’ occupations. We also have academic, music, sporting and arts scholarships available for highly able students, and we still maintain discounts and bursaries for those in the licensed trade.
The first school, in Kennington, was set up to provide a ‘caring and challenging education in a wholesome and airy environment’. When Kennington, like the rest of London, became busy, built-up and overcrowded the school moved to Slough (pictured).
Ascot
When Slough underwent commercial development, it too became very busy. So the school moved once again. This time to its current location in Ascot. The 26 acre parkland estate ensures it will continue to meet the needs of future generations…and provide relief from the hustle, bustle and pollution of London.
To meet its aims of providing a ‘caring and challenging education’ the school has always been non-selective and that policy of no entrance exam means a cohort of pupils with all abilities and from all backgrounds. The school celebrates individuality and offers a rounded education that delivers academic rigour alongside sporting, performing and creative opportunities.
Income generated for the Charity by the schools is re-invested in the site to continue to offer the highest standard of facilities and is used to fund the work of the Charity. The Licensed Trade Charity is proud to have had His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh as its Patron.
In 2020, at the peak of the pandemic, the Charity supported over 73,000 people and awarded over £1.96M in grants. They provided 1,037 telephone counselling sessions and 178 licensed trade people and their children supported with their education. The Charity helpline received an average of 228 calls per month in 2020, of which 41% were for emotional support.
Find out more about their history, their services and how they help people by following the links below:
For people who are currently working in the licensed trade or have in the past (*criteria apply) there is a discount available, trade-specific scholarships for highly able students and bursaries for those either facing very poor academic provision locally or the family and/or work situation means a placement would show a real benefit to the child’s future.
To find out more visit our licensed trade scholarships page.
*For discounts, trade scholarships or bursaries you, or an immediate family member (living in the same household) needs to be either currently, or have in the past, worked in the licensed drinks trade for a total of 5 years continuously. This can be in one or more jobs.
If you would like to read more about the history of the Licensed Trade Charity see the historical timeline drafted to celebrate 225 years of The Charity linked below.
Royal Patronage
In May 2024 Buckingham Palace announced that we have King Charles III as the new Royal Patron of our schools. This continues the Royal Patronage of his mother, The late Queen, Queen Elizabeth II.
Christine Cunniffe, Principal of LVS Ascot, said,” We are absolutely honoured that His Majesty, King Charles III, is our patron. This continues our royal patronage going back to 1836 and we look forward to His Majesty’s future involvement and interest in our wonderful school. Our students, parents, teachers, senior management and governors are all delighted by the news.”
Photo: Hugo Burnand
LVS Ascot Houses
There are three school houses at LVS Ascot; Kennington Hart, Melbourne Brake and Buchanan Coburg. When new students join LVS Ascot, they are assigned a house at the moment of enrollment. Our house system encourages students to foster a sense of community and belonging whilst also participating in group activities and engaging in healthy competition.
As with many aspects of our school, there is historical context to the names of each of the school houses. Click the button below to find out more.