Past and Future
Past and Future
CLC first opened its doors because our founders believed their daughters deserved a better education.
In the 1800s, despite opposition, we introduced science, mechanics and hydrostatics. In WWI, students ran a Red Cross branch and a hospital, and during WWII, we sent female pioneers to Bletchley Park.
In the late 1900s, we invested in opportunities within science and traditionally male-dominated sports, and introduced computer studies and car maintenance.
Since 2000, we have championed better approaches to women's health, fitness, and wellbeing, and introduced engineering and psychology.
CLC has been a pioneer in girls' education for nearly 175 years.
We're just getting started.
Our Timeline
In 1865, we introduced science, mechanics and hydrostatics, despite opposition that these subjects were not 'ladylike'.
Our Principal founded St Hilda’s College at Oxford University, firm in her belief that women should have access to higher education.
During WWI, we ran a branch of the Red Cross branch and a VAD hospital. Students also grew and harvested food across the playing fields.
In the 1930s, we were the first girls’ school to receive a Royal Charter in over 200 years.
During WWII, we were determined to continue to educating girls. With all other building given over to the war effort, we boarded the swimming pool and turned changing cubicles into study spaces.
From the 1950 to the 60s, we invested in a new science wing, and introduced a range of traditionally male-dominated sports, like Golf, Archery, Orienteering, Sailing, and Canoeing.
In the 1970 and 80s, we opened a new Sixth Form Block, and introduced computer studies and car maintenance lessons.
In the 90s and 2000s, we opened a new sports hall and built a new art wing, theatre and performing arts centre, and welcomed Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate our 150th Anniversary.
From 2010 to 2020, we invested in health and wellbeing, building a state-of-the-art new Health & Fitness Centre, and a bespoke Wellbeing Programme.
We also added Engineering, Enterprise and Technology, and Psychology to the curriculum.
Archives
CLC has a fascinating and inspiring history, dating back to when the school was founded. Our incredible collections are maintained and catalogued by our Archive Department.
We have an outstanding collection of treasures, gathered by CLC girls and staff over more than 170 years. Our Archive contains about 4,500 books, thousands of photographs and examples of clothing and teaching equipment from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.
If you have an enquiry relating to the history of CLC, you are invited to send your request to our Archivist. We receive many enquiries and although we will try, we cannot always answer immediately as it can sometimes take time to carry out the necessary research.
In our enquiries, it helps to have as much background information as possible. This is especially the case if it is information about someone who might have been at CLC, in which case details such as date of birth, alternative / maiden name (if applicable) and why you think they might have been at College, are all useful when trying to trace a particular name. Please include your email address and telephone number and we will contact you as soon as possible.
If you are a parent, pupil or Guild member, this service is free. Otherwise, if the search is successful, we ask for a fee of £10.00 to cover costs, including photocopies of documents if relevant. If we are unsuccessful, we will let you know and there is no fee.
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