Christopher Snell and his wife Judy fondly thumb through the registers of Mowden as they recount the family association with the school.

The first boy registered as a boarder is under the name HTB Bullock in May 1896.

The school's roll of honour lists scores of lieutenants, lance corporals and pilots throughout history and the registers are a proud testament to the captains of industry and other great names who have been educated within its walls.

Sir Lawrence Olivier took his son Richard there and former day boy Anthony Tuke went on to claim a knighthood as chairman of Barclays Bank.

However, the biggest landmark in Mowden's history was announced yesterday when parents received a letter signalling the end of the Snell family's long association with the school.

Mr Snell said it had always been the family's intention that his son Mark, a maths teacher at Westminster Under School, should join him in 2002.

He said: "Sadly, however, Mark has recently separated from his wife and his appointment as head of mathematics at KCS Junior School in Wimbledon will enable him to maintain close contact with his son, Harry, a decision which we not only respect but totally support."

From September 2002, Lancing College will take on the management of the school in The Droveway, Hove, when Mr Snell retires.

The move will also be a landmark for education in Sussex, as Mowden is the last all-boy school in the county to admit girls.

As Lancing is now a fully co-educational school, it is anticipated Mowden will accept girls from next September.

Mr Snell said he was happy about the decision because it was a natural progression of the education system, even though it would be the end of a long-standing tradition.

There is still a hint of the educational ethos from its founding era at the school.

The boys sit down together for lunch in the dining hall and the head's passion for cricket permeates the school.

Mr Snell said: "If I had been ten years younger or my son had taken over, I think the school would have evolved this way anyway.

"I have had many requests from parents to admit girls and this year I have been asked more times than ever.

"There have been huge changes in education since my grandfather founded the school.

"I'm sure the relationship between staff and children has changed a great deal.

"It is much friendlier now. The pastoral care is much better and has seen huge changes, especially during the last ten to 15 years."

Naturally, the school curriculum is much more advanced with information technology and design technology high on the agenda.

However, Mowden still retains its family feel and its strong belief in good citizenship and respect for people and authority.

This is something which both Christopher Snell and the headmaster of Lancing College, Peter Tinniswood, want to preserve.

Mr Tinniswood said: "Schools are about people and I think that is one reason why we have such a close link with Mowden already."

The two heads are convinced their schools share a similar ethos and style and believe any changes parents might notice will be positive.

There will be a greater sharing of resources and the move will bring together more than 100 years of teaching experience.

For the Snell family, however, it marks the end of a long-running tradition which dates back to Christopher Snell's grandfather, AP Snell, the school's founder, who came from a long line of clergy with strong educational beliefs. There have only been three headmasters, all from the Snell family.

Mowden was born on May 8, 1896, at Mowden Hall, a country house in Essex when the founding father tutored just one boarding pupil and one day boy.

The family moved to Sussex in April 1901 when the school was relocated to 110 and 112 Lansdowne Place in Hove, with eight boys.

Owing to increasing numbers, the family formed plans for a new building and in 1913, the school re-opened at its site in The Droveway, Hove, where it has remained.

Mowden began as a boys' boarding preparatory school but in recent years it has become an equally successful day school.

All the school's 130 pupils are currently day boys and the school has had no boarders since August last year.

In 1997, the school opened a pre-prep department which is now flourishing.

Mr Snell said the school had always enjoyed a long association with Lancing College, which is reflected in the school registers.

Many Mowden pupils go on to study at Lancing and some return as teachers.

Mr Snell said the response from parents has been positive but he has organised a meeting on September 11 for parents to ask the headmaster and the chairman of Lancing College questions.

He said: "Although I am sad to be leaving, I am very excited about the future of both schools."

Peter Tinniswood emphasised the close relationship of the two schools by pointing out that Christopher Snell was on the Governing body at Lancing College.

He said: "We will set up a governing council, so Mowden will still have its own head who will continue to deal with the curriculum and employment.

"I think the links will grow ever closer in drama, music and sport and will offer a continuity from pre-school to A-levels."