A touch of class

The Licensed Victuallers School celebrates its 200th birthday tomorrow.

Sally Bairstow takes a look at its proud history and bright future Rubbing shoulders with people from all walks of life goes on in bars up and down the country, day in, day out.

It's also been happening for years with pub operators and customers of the future.

Where?

In classrooms and playgrounds.

If they say your school days are the best of your life and teach you all the lessons you need for this world, then "education, education, education" really is as important as today's Government would have us believe.

Not every industry, however, can boast to having its own school.

Ours can ­ and it has a significant past, and a healthy-looking future.

Tomorrow, the Licensed Victuallers School, now at home in Ascot, Berkshire, celebrates a landmark in its life ­ its bicentenary.

The motto of trade charity, the Society of Licensed Victuallers, is to care for the young, elderly and sick in the retail drinks industry ­ so it's common sense that the SLV established and supports a school.

And the school continues to hold on firmly to it roots.

The heritage of the drinks industry is found throughout ­ from the gates leading into the school grounds, presented by the Taunton Cider Company, through to house names, such as Guinness and Gilbey's.

And it is still, though not exclusively, a school for the children of people working in the drinks industry.

The school's speech day, known as President's Day, is one occasion when it's hard to ignore the LVS's drinks background when awards such as the Moet Prize are presented.

"It's a tribute to the industry that we are still running a school after 200 years," says SLV chief executive Colin Wheeler.

"The school has changed dramatically over the years and, since the 1950s, we have introduced more of a comprehensive system.

"Up until then, it was solely for children of people in the trade.

By introducing fee-paying pupils to the school, we believe it's created a more healthy environment."

Parents who work in the drinks industry can receive financial support for their five to 18-year-olds attending the LVS, thanks to a sliding scale, means-tested system.

Of the 824 day and boarding pupils, about 160 are from the trade, comprising a third of the boarders.

The fundamental philosophy of the school is one of "whole person" education ­ pupils are encouraged to do their best whatever their natural abilities.

Head teacher Ian Mullins remarks: "The other great advantage of this school, which dates back to when it was first founded, is that it is co-educational and non-selective.

"You have pupils with different academic abilities, just as you have adults with different strengths in the outside world.

It's such a unique school.

A school should be like life; it mirrors the real world.

"We have pupils with wide differences in their backgrounds.

We have millionaire's children, overseas pupils and a multi-cultural mix in the school.

With a mix like that, it's as close as you get to the real world."

People may think there's a "snob" element to independent schools, but that's not the case at the LVS, says Mullins.

"At the end of the day, we are independent, but also a fee-paying comprehensive.

We have pupils from across the board."

The recipe is obviously one that continues to appeal over the years.

Back in 1907, William Hill, whose parents ran the Castle Inn in Ealing, London, joined the school.

In 2003 his great, great, great, great granddaughter is a pupil at the Ascot school ­ the fifth generation of the family to attend.

Circus king Billy Smart's family has its fourth generation pupil at the school today.

And the school appeals to the stars, too, with former students including Ringo Starr's son and Russ Abbot's son.

From the catering world, the Brake Brothers' names can be found listed in the notable old boys' hall of fame.

The ethos behind the LVS's success is not just about the educational element, it's the pastoral/family care too.

Mullins explains: "Children get back from school at about 5pm, and for people in the pub trade, that means the bar's getting busier and they're getting ready for the night ahead.

"It's difficult for parents in the trade ­ their children are back from school and want to be with them, but their business needs them too.

"You can't just split yourself between your children's needs and your business needs that easily."

He adds: "There is something about being linked with this industry though ­ when you come from the bar environment, you're very often not lacking in confidence.

"We find that the youngsters are extremely good with adults, but they may find it harder with children of their own age.

It can also be hard on children whose parents are relief managers and always on the move around the country.

They can settle down more here.

The boarding element is important."

In the ever consolidating and changing drinks industry, the SLV still receives significant support to fulfil its aim of helping the young, elderly and sick in the licensed trade.

The school gives particular mention to Scottish Courage, Brake Bros and the Worshipful Company of Innholders, for their invaluable and ongoing help.

Wheeler says: "It's not just about financial support, there's much more to it than just giving money.

We can nearly always find someone in the industry to help us with advice for projects and to offer their time to help us achieve new goals.

They are often quietly supporting us behind the scenes.