St Mary's Hall school was founded in 1836, on land donated by the Marquess of Bristol. Its pupils were the daughters of poor clergy, who were educated to become governesses to the rich families of East Brighton. The first intake all got jobs. St Mary's Hall later became a fee-paying school for girls, whose parents paid £50 a year and an extra £1 a year for art. It is now an independent school for boys aged up to 8 and girls to 18.