Changing Lives

Annual Report 2018-19

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Welcome to our Annual Report, the second since the inception of the Brentwood School Foundation and my first as Headmaster of this wonderful school. This is a special place for many reasons, but most of all because of the opportunities it provides for children to discover and develop their passions, interests and talents, wherever they may lie. Many schools promise to provide a holistic education but few can do so with greater authenticity than Brentwood. The Foundation’s aim is simple: ‘to provide the gift of a Brentwood education to young people whose families would otherwise never be able to do so’, and our clear focus on this noble aspiration is one of the things that most attracted me to the School.

From the Headmaster

The scale of the School’s commitment to providing life-changing bursaries is impressive and the fact that we aim - through the work of the Foundation - to transform even more young lives is probably the thing that excited me most about coming to work here. I’m sure the lives of many who will read these words were changed as a result of their education at Brentwood, and whether this is or is not the case, I hope all readers will support the intention to widen access to our School.

There are many outstanding people at Brentwood - our Governors, who provide direction, advice and stewardship; our teachers, who inspire and encourage those in our charge to aim high with integrity and become the best version of themselves; our operational staff, who provide and develop the facilities that allow our pupils to flourish; our parents, many of whom make sacrifices to enable their children to be part of our community; and of course, our pupils, who continue to personify the School’s values of Virtue, Learning and Manners as they prepare to thrive and lead in our ever-changing world.

The School has a long history and proud tradition of developing a spirit of philanthropy within our community. Many OBs return to their school and support us in a variety of ways: eighteen former pupils currently work here, which is probably the most obvious illustration of the attachment so many have with this place; six of our Governors are also OBs; they and many others also choose to support our efforts to provide bursaries that will allow future generations to benefit from a Brentwood education. Of course, a great number of former pupils benefited from the Direct Grant or Assisted Places schemes, and in many ways our bursaries offer the 21st Century equivalent for families with financial restrictions.

There is also a benefit to our pupils who are fortunate enough to come from more affluent backgrounds: having bursary students in the School reduces the risk that they

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will reach adulthood having lived in a bubble of privilege, but even more powerful, it will show them the ambition and determination demonstrated by those who truly appreciate how fortunate they are to attend a school like ours. This is exactly the kind of competition they’re going to face in a global jobs market against those who are hungrier, sharper, and willing to work harder and longer to get the best jobs. So, whether it’s born out of philanthropy or utilitarianism, there are compelling reasons why our bursary programme is so important to the future of our School.

This is the point where I’d like to reveal that I was the recipient of a life-changing bursary, and that it’s the reason I’ve been able to become a Headmaster. Unfortunately, I can’t do that because it’s not true. I attended a comprehensive school in Durham at a time of regular industrial action and disruption. There are many things I can’t do that many of our pupils would regard as normal parts of their school lives, but what my schooling gave me was the drive and determination to work harder and go further than those against whom I’ve competed for jobs during my career. Imagine giving a child with that hunger the chance to channel it in a school that has as much to offer as Brentwood. That’s a powerful gift to give.

Thank you to those who have already supported the work of the Foundation, and - in advance - to those who will do so. If you would like to know more about our work, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I would be delighted to meet you and talk further about our life-changing bursaries.

Michael Bond Headmaster

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As an Old Brentwood, I can vouch for the excellent grounding the School gave us for life beyond the gates. This is evermore important today as our current students are being prepared for the complex, global world they will inhabit as adults and in which we hope they will thrive.

Key to their diverse learning environment is the social mix which reflects society as a whole and allows the brightest students to benefit from the wonderful opportunities the School offers, regardless of their parents’ ability to pay.

From the Chairman

The Changing Lives Bursary Fund which supports these precious places in the School is built on the support of OBs and, increasingly, the parents of OBs and current students in recognition of all the School gives them.

Our current priority is to increase funds to enable ever more students to receive means tested bursaries. Many of these are transformational allowing access to students whose families can pay nothing. Across the School, bursary students are at the forefront of both academic and co-curricular activity and you will read later about the impact of a bursary on last year’s Head of School. I would be delighted to meet with anyone who can support the Foundation. Please make contact with me through the School’s Development Office.

Lord Carter of Coles (OB 1957-1964)Chairman of the Foundation Board

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Financial Year ending 31st August 2019

Bursaries

Donations in the year amounted to £55,528, taking total funds in the Foundation to £315,813. Unlike some other Schools, Brentwood does not have an endowment income. The long term aim is therefore to build a sizeable bursary fund from which interest income is used to supplement the significant sum that the School already spends on means tested bursaries - £1,558,829 in the 2018/19 year.

Your generosity to date has enabled the School’s Governors to release some of the Foundation’s money to create an additional bursary place.

For the academic year 2019/20 starting in September, 21 new bursaries have been awarded - 17 at First Year intake and 4 for Sixth Form entry - 13 of which fall between 90% and 100% of fees.

In total, 102 pupils are in receipt of bursary funding in the 2019/20 academic year. Of the 102, transformational bursaries are extended to 42 pupils; their parents paying no fees.

Legacies

While we cannot be absolutely certain of the final value to the Foundation when realised, where the respective legators have indicated to the School the amounts of bequests made in their wills, we currently have legacies in favour of the Foundation that total in excess of £1 million.

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Impact Report 2018-19

21 new

bursaries in

Sept 2019

17 for new

First Yearpupils

4 forSixth Form

students

Total Raised to date:

2018-19: 102 pupils currently

receive bursary

funding

42being

transformational

£315,813£55,528

7716alumni on the

OB Portal

22 OB events in

2018/19

70Sir Antony Browne

Benefactors

12 members of

The 1557

Society

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At the inaugural Brentwood School Foundation Ball, held at Stock Brook Country Club, guests were treated to a drinks reception, four-course dinner and musical entertainment from ‘The Other Guys ‘- all the while being able to bid via iPad for a range of enticing auction prizes. Their generosity led to over £15,000 being raised on the night towards bursary provision for talented pupils who otherwise would be prevented, for financial reasons, from receiving a Brentwood School education.

Briefly addressing the guests, Lord Andrew Lansley (OB 1968-1975 and Foundation Board member) recalled the benefits he received from his time at the School, enabled by the then Direct Grant Scheme, which, he said, shaped him and his achievements since.

While £15,000 may seem an excellent result from the evening, we need much more to achieve the Foundation's aims. It costs ten times that to fully fund one bursary student for the seven years of senior school at Brentwood.

Watch out for details of the next Foundation Ball, planned for Christmas 2020.

Foundation Ball - May 2019

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Thank You for supporting students like this...

Former Head of School, Victor Sarpong (OB 2017-2019), was a Sixth Form bursary recipient.

Here, he tells Foundation Board member and former politician The Rt. Hon Jack Straw (OB 1957-1964) about the positive impact of his bursary place.

What did it mean to you (and your family) to receive a bursary to come to Brentwood?

It was only after learning a bit about the nature of the School that I realised the magnitude of the opportunity that I had been given, especially when I got to the School itself - that’s when it really dawned on me.For me, it meant: I had access to an education which I otherwise would not be able to afford, because of merit, not my social standing; because of my proactive nature and my longing to strive for better education, despite my friends going elsewhere; because of my willingness to learn more. After all these things dawned on me, I became very proud of what I’d achieved, and wanted to maximise the opportunity to the fullest.

You were here for just your Sixth Form years; how did Brentwood compare to your previous school?

One difference that I noticed straight away, was the emphasis on the importance of education. No, I’m not just talking about academia, although this was emphasised also. I’m also speaking about co-curricular activities, academic enrichment societies such as Sir Anthony Browne Society and more. I felt that emphasis on learning not only from the teachers and the School’s general atmosphere, but also from my peers. For the first time, I was constantly surrounded by students that wanted to achieve and had the motivation to excel in their academic studies. Being surrounded by motivated students - and I mean almost my entire cohort, rather than just 6 of us in my Top Set class for example, being truly surrounded by motivated students - motivated me to want to do better. Even more so because of the rarity of the opportunity I was being given – I was conscious that not everyone is able to get access to a bursary, and therefore really wanted to make the most of what I could learn. It’s funny that you mention about Sixth Form actually, because something that was said to me often was, “If only you had been here from First Year, imagine what you could have achieved.” This was always a bittersweet compliment, because I didn’t know about the School in my First Year and so wouldn’t come even if I’d had the potential. But I am conscious that through me being an example, I can tell others that bursaries

Jack presents Victor with the Politics prize at Speech Day 2019, 55 years after winning it himself.

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are an option, so that others can actualise their potential to levels that I could not.

How did your bursary change your attitude to your schooling?

I had a sense that my education was worth something more than the ordinary, because of the physical value, but if I’m honest, it was more than that. I was conscious that I was amongst something that was greater than the ordinary: through the history of the School, the facilities, the blue gowns (which fascinated me from the beginning I must admit!), the teachers, everything.Because I was conscious of that, I wanted to make sure to take advantage of everything that I was being offered, and not let opportunities be missed. I was conscious that people from my background do not get opportunities like this, let alone know about these kinds of things! I didn’t tell many people back at my old school in the early stages, but when I did, I had to introduce them to the concept of a bursary in this different type of school in a different town. From early on, I had a sense of how rare this was and that informed, and was a part of, my motivation to make the most of it. Not only for myself, but so I could be an example for others. Because if not me, then who?

What did you achieve at Brentwood that you don’t think you would have achieved at your previous school?

Brentwood School really introduced me to a high quality of music. A quality of music that I had yet to be shown or see up close. I was involved in music in my old school, but the intricacy and calibre did not compare to that of Brentwood School. I was introduced to a world of classical music that was previously unknown to me. The first Brentwood School Michaelmas Concert that I went to was actually the first time I saw a live orchestra. I’d played the violin a little bit in primary school, but I hadn’t seen, or even know about, the double bass, or a viola, or a bassoon.While at first this new world of music was quite daunting, especially because most other people had clearly engaged with this type of music before and I had not, my general interest in music was stimulated by what I saw as new. I went on to join the Choral Society and later the Chamber Choir and took part in musical events such as Choral and Big Band concerts, Evensongs and later the Promenade Concert. It was at my final Promenade Concert where I gave the performance I’m most proud of – the first rap song with the Big Band!

How do you think the School, and its students, benefit from the bursaries awarded to many local young people?

By recognising students with a high propensity to learn, through bursaries, you are empowering that student. You are giving confidence to that student. Local students especially will know, or have seen, glimpses of what it is like to be a Brentwood School student. It is something that can seem very distant, or inaccessible, even to somebody with academic potential comparable to any of the students that they are intimidated by. They may be intimidated not only because they think that they are less intelligent, but because they literally do not have the means to access what Brentwood School

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students have access to, even if they are aware of their academic attainment. However, if that same student that is intimidated is invited in with a bursary, that will give confidence to that student, and potentially give them aspiration beyond measure. When you recognise the achievement and potential of a student, it encourages them to go further; who knows what an empowered student can truly achieve?I am someone who really doesn't like to be around the same types of people for too long (which was part of my motivation to come to Brentwood School actually, because I knew that most students were not from my town or background), because if you don’t mix it up, your perspectives are not challenged. You can only grow as a learner if you are surrounded by things that you are unfamiliar with, or things that you may initially be opposed to. So, the introduction of different talents and cultures through people with diverse backgrounds having access to bursaries can only enrich the learning experience of students. Over time, the School will be a place that fulfils its title in an even more meaningful and satisfactory way - education that goes even further beyond the classroom.

What effect will it have on the school, and students, if we are able to increase the number of bursaries given?

Not only will it enrich the culture of the School, but the School will be able to boast of a legacy of transforming the lives of students in a dramatic and invaluable way. That’s not to say that the lives of each student are not transformed, but the lives and horizons of the recipients of bursaries in particular will be greatly expanded, quite simply because of an environment that they otherwise would not have access to, or only have limited access to. While it is great to provide high quality education to those that can afford it, it is surely greater to provide high quality education to more of those who have the potential to benefit greatly from it and would otherwise not get it. I think Brentwood School has a great opportunity to join the likes of its contemporaries in playing a greater role in the transformation of the lives of willing students, such as myself. If people like myself do not have access to bursaries, then the School will never be able to see the ideas, skills and qualities that those students can offer.

How would you describe your time at Brentwood and what are you currently doing?

The first thing that comes to mind is: a learning experience. At Brentwood School, I was able to academically broaden my horizons beyond what I could even fathom before, as an IB student, and having access to many co-curricular experiences that I did not have access to before. It was also a learning experience in the sense that I learned about the world and different walks of life from my own. I was surrounded by people from not only a different neighbourhood, but people from different classes, countries and cultures, and I discovered I have skills I never knew about before.I am currently an undergraduate at York University, studying Social & Political Sciences with Philosophy. Outside of university, I continue to be involved in public speaking, performance poetry and youth activism. I’ll definitely be keeping up with the endeavours of the School, I look forward to what it sets out to do next!

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Your Legacy, Their Education

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“A gift in your will can be a simple and tax-efficient way of making a significant dona-tion to the Foundation that is unaffordable during one’s lifetime. Any such gift to a registered charity (of which the school is one) made in your will is exempt from In-heritance Tax and allows many people to make a meaningful contribution to future generations of Brentwood pupils. Making a bequest is simple: it can be included in a new will or added as a Codicil (example form on our website) to an existing will.

I spent 7 great years at Brentwood and the opportunities my education afforded me really did shape my future. It is so important to give that same opportunity to future generations which is why I am supporting the Foundation in my will.

The 1557 Society has been established as a means by which we can thank, during their lifetime, Old Brentwoods and other supporters who have left a gift in their will to the Foundation. By confirming to the Development Office that you have made a bequest to the School, you will automatically become a member of The 1557 Society. Male members will receive a specially designed silk tie the logo of which is taken from the marble plaque in School House dedicated to OB John Cooper Quennell. An alternative gift will be given to female legators. Members may also receive invitations to School and Foundation events.

Legacies are usually unrestricted gifts, allowing the Foundation to support current priorities; however, we will always try to meet a donor’s wishes if they have a specific area of interest in the School.

For an informal discussion please contact the Development Office; however, we strongly recommend that you seek legal advice when making or amending a will, to ensure your interests are protected and your wishes recorded accurately.

We wish to sincerely thank the following supporters who have donated (Sir Antony Browne Benefactors), advised that they had left a gift in their will (1557 Society Members), or given gifts in kind - including those who wish to remain anonymous - for their support of The Brentwood School Foundation.

Sir Antony Browne BenefactorsAnonymous (OB 1949) In memory of Mr A H Barker (OB 1938) Anonymous (OB 1950) Anonymous (OB 1958) Mr J D Brett (OB 1957) In memory of Mr G Buckenham (OB 1951) Mr & Mrs S Burgess (parents of OBs) Mrs J Cass (parent of OBs) Mr R Church (OB 1981) Anonymous (OB 1955) Professor R Crisp (OB 1979) Dr J Degun (parent of OB) Mr M Duce (OB 1955) Mr W J Duncan (OB 1952) Mr R Dwyer-Joyce (OB 1983) Anonymous (OB 1981) Anonymous (OB 1973) Mr C J Geggus (OB 1975) Mr N P Gibson (OB 1960) Mr J Gilbert (OB 1965) Anonymous (parent of OB) Mr A L V Gooch (OB 1951) Mr H Gray (OB 1953) Anonymous (OB 1961) Mrs J Harvey (parent of OB) Anonymous (OB 1959) Mr & Mrs R Hirst (parents of current student and OBs) Anonymous (OB 1949) Mr B R J O Hughes MBE (OB 1954) Anonymous (OB 1947) Anonymous (OB 1965) Anonymous (OB 1956) Mr J-C Kerdelhue (parent of OB) Anonymous (parent of OB) Dr N Legg (OB 1957) Anonymous (OB1946) Mr G Lodge (OB 1958) In memory of Mr R Lofts (OB 1949)Mr J E Machacek (OB 1964) Mr T J G Marchant (former staff) 12

Donors and Legators

Thank You

for making a

difference...

13

Mr M E Maskall (OB 1955) In memory of Mr L A Matthews (OB 1948) Mr I Miller (OB 1982) Mr R S Norris (OB 1949) Anonymous (OB 1978) Mr M Oliver (OB 1961) Anonymous (OB 1944)Anonymous (OB 1957) Mr S Palmer (OB 1960) Mr B Pankhurst (OB 1955) Mr R J Pemberton (OB 1953) Mr A T Ridge (OB 1951) In memory of Mr R Salmon (OB 1959) Mr S Schick (OB 1970) Mr S Seaton (parent of OB) Mr T Smalley (parent of current students and OBs) Sir P Stothard (OB 1969) Mr C Sweeney (OB 1972) Anonymous (OB 1960) Anonymous (OB 1954) Dr M Tompsett (OB 1957) Mr J Tooley (OB 1949) Mr R J A Walsh (OB 1961) Mr C Wells (OB 1963) Mr A A West (OB 1960) In memory of Mr F W H White (OB 1937) Mr J White (OB 1950) Mr R Wicks (OB 1956) Anonymous (OB 1947) Members of The 1557 SocietyMr R Bartlett (OB 1973) Lord G Black (OB 1981)Mr R Down (OB 1957) Mr M Duce (OB 1955) Mr M Goodey (OB 1978) Mr JMJ Hollington (OB 1981) Anonymous x 2 (sons of late OB 1950) Mr G Lodge (OB 1958) Mr J McDonald (OB 1973) Anonymous (OB 1947) Mr MGH Wright (OB 1946)

Gifts in KindMrs M Walsh (parent of current student and OBs)

*We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of this list and apologise for any errors or omissions. Please contact the Devel-

opment Office with any corrections.

...and

Changing

Lives

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From the Development Office

“ “will continue to develop as the organisation grows and matures. If you have a story to share about the impact of a bursary - from either a beneficiary or donor angle - please do get in touch, I would love to hear from you.

Our first Foundation Ball, held in May, was an excellent evening and I am very grateful to fellow Board member, Michelle Walsh, for her incredible support and generosity in making the event happen. Watch out for details of the next one, planned for late 2020!

I have been fortunate enough to watch a number of the School’s co-curricular activities, be they sporting events or performing arts productions, in which a large number of the key contributors are bursary students; their extraordinary talents would be lost to both the School and their peers without the financial assistance that the School is able to give their parents because of the contributions from supporters.

My thanks to everyone who has joined me in supporting the Foundation; every donation really does make a difference. Please do get in touch if you can help. If bursaries are not your thing, I have a small wish-list of items from the music and sports departments that would enhance their facilities and opportunities for students.

I’ve set myself a personal challenge to gather sufficient support from fellow students of the time to fund a ‘1980s Bursary’, so if you are reading this and left Brentwood in that decade (especially if you were in my 1981 leavers’ group) then I am looking for another 63 OBs willing to join me, and fellow Board member Guy Black, in contributing £25 per month (or more if you can!); many of us must be able to spare under £1 a day to give a young student the fantastic opportunities we had.

Please join us to fund a transformational bursary and change a life!

Jos Hollington (OB 1972-1981)Development Manager

My first year back at the School has been extremely busy, not least with the implementation of a new Old Brentwoods database and portal as well as developing the Foundation’s donor recognition programme, on which there is still ongoing work. We have an increasing number of donors which is a good sign.

I hope this report has shown you why the work of the Foundation is so important to me, and the progress of donations, legacies, who is supporting us plus an example of how your generosity benefits our bursary recipients. I would be pleased to receive any feedback on the report, as it

MAKING A SINGLE GIFT

I would like to make a single gift of £

I am making this payment via:

BACS Direct Credit Please use your banking app or online/telephone banking to make a one-off (or regular) payment. Natwest Brentwood Account Name: Brentwood School CIO Account Number: 20622597 Sort Code: 60-03-25 IBAN: GB07NWBK 600325 20622597 Swift/BIC: NWBKGB2L Please use Reference: “BSF/[Your Surname]” and advise the Development Office of your donation.

Cheque Please make payable to Brentwood School and enclose with this form.

Debit/Credit Card Please visit our website to donate securely.

Legacy Please visit our website for more details or contact the Development Office.

GIFT AID YOUR DONATION

Boost your donation and make it worth an extra 25% at no extra cost to yourself. Gift Aid is reclaimed by the charity from the tax you pay for the current tax year. Your address is needed to identify you as a current UK taxpayer.

In order to Gift Aid your donation you must tick the box.

I want to Gift Aid my donation of £ and any donations I make in the future or

have made in the past 4 years to Brentwood School. I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year it is my responsibility to pay any difference.

Please notify Brentwood School if you: • want to cancel this declaration • change your name or home address • no longer pay sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains. If you pay Income Tax at the higher or additional rate and want to receive the additional tax relief due to you, you must include all your Gift Aid donations on your Self-Assessment tax return or ask HM Revenue and Customs to adjust your tax code.

YOUR DETAILS:

NAME

ADDRESS

POSTCODE

PHONE NO.

EMAIL

PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM TO:

Brentwood School Development OfficeMiddleton Hall LaneBrentwoodEssex CM15 8EE

If you have any queries about the form, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01277 240451.

SIGNATURE DATE

If you wish for your donation to the Foundation to remain anonymous, please tick the box.

Registered Charity Number - 1153605

Brentwood School Development Office, Middleton Hall Lane, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 8EE

telephone: 01277 240451 email: development@brentwood.essex.sch.ukwww.brentwoodschool.co.uk/Foundation

Published January 2020