Changing Lives through Bursaries and Scholarships

Changing livesthrough bursaries and scholarships

[ OB Kayde Sylvester (18-20), Northampton Saints Academy ]

BEDFORD SCHOOL

Life-Changing Bursaries and Scholarships

Life-changing bursaries and scholarships are at the heart of what we do. Bedford foregoes almost £1.1m of income each year in fee remission for bursaries and other awards, in addition to the £0.3m spent annually on scholarships. These funds are focused upon supporting those pupils of exceptional talent who would not be able to attend Bedford without financial support. Our General Scholarships Fund welcomes donations of all sizes. These gifts are used immediately to help bring deserving boys to Bedford whose families would otherwise be unable to afford the fees. Our aim is that these children not only benefit greatly themselves, but that they also create invaluable diversity within the student body and set a powerful example of endeavour for others to follow. We are often reminded that some of the greatest examples of accomplishment and progress – in academic, artistic, dramatic, sporting and musical terms – come from those who, without financial support, would not otherwise be able to come to the school.

On average, 160 boys per annum benefit directly and indirectly from scholarships and means-tested bursaries funded through donations.

“When bursary pupils join the school, it is the right time for them to gain the skills and confidence to be able to reach their full potential through their later schooling years, and indeed in life beyond school.

There is no doubt that bursaries enrich the experience of every single pupil in the school; indeed, the entire Bedford community benefits."

James Hodgson, Head Master

Future funding will ensure that pupils never have to have a lesser school experience than those who can afford the fees. Bursary and scholarship pupils must have access to full resources to make the most of their time at Bedford, including all extracurricular activities, educational trips, uniform, books and equipment. Donations of all sizes are welcome to help fund our growing programme, and significant donations will provide for fully-funded named scholarships in a variety of subjects and skills. "I vividly remember my first visit to Bedford. I was eleven. From Burnaby Road, the Chapel and the old school buildings made a big impression on me. Looking round, I knew I wanted to learn here. I arrived at Bedford as a bursary pupil from a small primary school and benefited from the amazing opportunities on offer."

OB (73-83)

BEDFORD SCHOOL BEDFORD SCHOOL

Why Bursaries Matter

Old Bedfordian, Leroy Knowles (92-97) was the recipient of just such a bursary which, in his own words, was life-changing. He came from a mixed-heritage family, growing up in a single-parent home and ultimately spending time in the foster care system with no guidance or role models from the community within which he lived. His mother worked tirelessly holding down two jobs, but often the pay-day lenders and bailiffs could be found entering the home and taking what few possessions they had left. Unfortunately, life for Leroy was going one way, the wrong way, with few opportunities and no way of stopping the downward spiral. His elder siblings had all left school without taking any qualifications, a path he was destined to follow. Leroy describes how growing up in poverty can affect all aspects of a child’s development, whether socially, educationally, or personally. Those who come from these backgrounds are less likely to go to university and more likely to suffer mental health issues. They need someone to guide them, care for them, look out for them and rescue them from following the wrong path. In the absence of a parent there are often others who may provide this guidance - teachers, sports coaches or anyone else willing to demonstrate an understanding of the circumstances and offer one-to-one support. Leroy was lucky, that at the age of 12, there were people that showed an interest in him, believed in him, and put him on the right path to fulfil his potential. A primary school sports teacher laid out a path which would eventually lead him from poverty to the highest A-Level grades, eventually securing a place at Oxford University before having a successful career in investment banking. The teacher made clear that he was capable of more and put his name forward for Bedford School in the hope that the school would grant a full bursary. In the run up to the exam, Leroy was given his first homework to prepare for the assessment. Despite struggling with the papers, the school saw that Leroy was a talented individual with great potential and offered him a full bursary. Following the euphoria of accepting a place, he did not initially join the school. On the first day of term, he avoided the school in the belief that he did not fit the normal stereotype associated with an independent school. In his own mind, he was not rich, white, or eloquent enough to attend such an establishment where he was sure that he would feel uncomfortable, vulnerable, and out of place. The registrar at the time refused to let Leroy turn down the opportunity and continuously phoned his mother to encourage a visit to reassure him that his fears were misplaced. The visit replaced fear with excitement and soon he was meeting boys from other ethnic minorities, some of whom were also on full bursaries. The school funded his uniform and the next day he was in lessons. Bedford School rightly had high expectations and continued to invest in and support Leroy throughout his time there and later at university. Leroy now spends time mentoring others from poorer socioeconomic backgrounds to help them reach their potential. In 2020, he was nominated as a Top 10 BAME inspirational leader in the UK by the Ethnicity Awards. He is a shining example of why bursaries matter and make a real difference to lives, opening opportunities up to those who would not ordinarily be given the chance. “Thanks to a bursary, I was able to attend Bedford School. I believe this education provided me with three main benefits: First, the inspiring, down to earth and supportive ethos of the school, which filters down to the individual teachers. Secondly, access to amazing sporting facilities, highly qualified coaching staff and opportunities for consistent participation and leadership in a variety of sports. Lastly, and most importantly, the house system and tutor system at Bedford gave me lifelong friends. I would definitely encourage anyone considering supporting Bedford’s scholarship and bursaries programme. Without both being available at Bedford there will be many capable and talented boys who will not be able to access all that Bedford has to offer.”

Leroy Knowles (92-97)

BEDFORD SCHOOL

"You don't have to give a lot to

A word from themake a real difference"

Over the last decade, we have been fortunate to be able to set up three new scholarships thanks to the generousity of the following Old Bedfordians, who left legacies to the school in their wills.

Brian Saville 1930 -2013

A pupil at Bedford School from 1940-1948, Brian spent much of his career in the wholesale grocery trade. His generous legacy to the school has been used to fund capital projects and to establish an endowed fund to support the Brian Saville Scholarships.

Since 2015, 38 pupils have been supported across a range of disciplines including, academic, drama, music and sport.

Professor John Roach MA PhD 1920-2015

A pupil at Bedford School from 1931-1938, Professor John Roach was a Life Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge and Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Sheffield. He devoted much of his life to the study of the History of Education, making a significant contribution to the subject and was a much respected and eminent historian.

Since 2017, five pupils have received a Professor John Roach academic scholarship.

C. Gordon Lindsay-White 1914-2009

Gordon Linday-White was a pupil at the school from 1922-1932. He was a keen sportsman, enjoying both rowing and rugby. After leaving Bedford School, he trained in Bedford and London as an accountant, being granted a short service in the RAF as a pilot officer. Following demob, he joined Fords Rhodes & Co in Colombo, gaining a partnership before retiring in June 1961.

Since 2011, 46 boys have benefited from a Lindsay-White Scholarship.

OB Brian Saville (40-48) OB Prof. John Roach (31-38) OB Gordon Lindsay-White (22-32)