The Flourish Appeal by Bedford-School

Flourish

This is your opportunity to change lives through philanthropy at Bedford School. With your support, the school can open its doors to boys with genuine potential; young men whose talent and ambition can make a lasting impact on the world, yet whose families currently cannot consider an independent education.

Through the Flourish Appeal, you can help harness the power of collective generosity to ensure more families can consider Bedford as the best educational choice for their son. Your support will help fund 20 transformational bursaries that will be offered to families who require significant financial assistance to join our school.

Now is the time for you to be part of something truly life-changing. The Flourish Appeal is not just about providing financial assistance, it is about shaping the future of our school, our boys and the wider world they will one day inherit. Together we thrive.

“Receiving a bursary to attend Bedford School was life-changing for me.

“Coming from a state middle school where I wasn’t pushed to reach my full potential, Bedford School provided an environment that challenged and inspired me.

“The sense of community, supportive teachers and lifelong friendships shaped my journey, giving me the foundation to secure a place at a Russell Group university and launch my professional career.

“Without the bursary, these opportunities would have been far less likely, and I am incredibly grateful for the impact it has had on my life.”

Parampreet Thiara (11-18), bursary recipient

Unlocking Potential, Transforming Futures

When you provide financial support to boys who might not otherwise join our school, you unlock true potential; not just that of recipients, but of all Bedford boys. The school’s ambition for all of our boys is “That they be good men” and this is at the heart of the Flourish Appeal. To be good is to be empathetic, caring and generous; it is to care about improving the world around you for the benefit of others.

Bursaries do more than bridge financial gaps, they empower talented pupils to rise above their circumstances and excel. They give us the chance to identify exceptional individuals - rugby players, musicians, artists, mathematicians, rowers and many more - and offer them the support they need to thrive.

This appeal is a powerful statement of social responsibility. It affirms our belief that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed and that excellence should be determined by talent, not financial means. This commitment builds a community that is as diverse as it is exceptional, where every boy can reach his full potential.

With your support, we can ensure that the doors to Bedford remain open to all who have the ability and ambition to make a difference. Together, we can unlock potential and transform futures.

To

As a former music scholar and bursary recipient, I can confidently say that without your generosity, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Bedford School gave me the opportunity to discover my passion for music - first through performance, then composition and conducting.

Coming from a state primary school with little music provision, I already loved playing the violin but never imagined the deep connection I would develop. Regular lunchtime concerts built my confidence, and the support of the staff instilled discipline and self-belief. It was through composition lessons with Dr Emma-Ruth Richards that I realised my true calling.

Since then, I’ve completed a First-Class undergraduate degree at the Royal Academy of Music and am now finishing my master’s, both in composition. My work has been performed internationally, including in Germany, Italy and Spain, as well as at major UK venues like Wigmore Hall, Southbank Centre and St John’s Smith Square with the London Chamber Orchestra. A recent piano trio was broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and, very soon, my double concerto will be recorded and aired by Deutschlandfunk, Cologne.

None of this would have been possible without the life-changing opportunities Bedford School provided. I am endlessly grateful for your generosity, which has inspired so many students to discover paths they may never have realised.

With my deepest thanks and best wishes, Alexander Papp

the generous benefactors of Bedford School,

A letter written by bursary recipient Alexander Papp (12-17)

Who will Benefit?

Support from the Flourish Appeal will be exclusively offered to families who qualify for significant bursarial assistance through the rigorous means-testing process employed by our parent organisation, The Harpur Trust. Every donation will go directly to families who genuinely need financial help in order for their son to join the school.

Everyone Can Help

We are committed to making support for the Flourish Appeal as accessible as possible. We understand the financial challenges many face today and know that not everyone can make high-value donations. However, smaller contributions, gifts spread over time or donations directed towards specific needs can make a significant difference.

While funding school fees remains a core priority of the Flourish Appeal, we are also seeking support for the broader needs of boys receiving bursarial assistance. Educational trips, specialised equipment such as musical instruments or sports equipment and the purchase of uniform and other key school items are integral to the Bedford experience. These additional costs can often be out of reach for families who require substantial financial support to access Bedford. Through the Flourish Appeal, we aim to ensure that every recipient feels fully included in school life and can access the same opportunities as his peers.

The full breadth of the Bedford experience is essential. We want boys to leave school equipped with more than just academic success. They should have the confidence to engage with others as equals, excel in any professional or social setting and hold their head up in any company.

“The impact Bedford School has had on my life is enormous. Now, at 30 years old, I am financially secure, work in a job that I love as a Product Manager and have a great set of friends. Life could have been very different.”

Josh Jackson (06-13), bursary recipient

“The bursary programme made it possible for me to attend Bedford School, an opportunity that transformed my life. The school instilled a lasting sense of ambition, confidence and curiosity, encouraging me to seize every opportunity and discover what truly excites me.

“I now work as a medical researcher, am completing a PhD and pursue various personal interests, all thanks to the passion and drive fostered during my time at Bedford.”

Kraig

Green (12-17), bursary recipient

New Waysof Giving

To make this appeal accessible to everyone in our community, we are offering giving opportunities at all levels, allowing donors to contribute in a way that suits them. A few are listed below:

Named Flourish Awards

An opportunity to name a stand-alone bursary fund that supports either one or several years of study.

The Flourish Giving Circle

A new initiative bringing together donors in support of the Flourish Appeal. This exclusive group will recognise and celebrate those who make a one-off gift of £5,000. If you would like more information about joining this community, please contact Sarah Bowers, Philanthropy Manager, at sbowers@bedfordschool.org.uk

Focussed Giving

A menu of smaller giving opportunities, such as funding music lessons or purchasing uniforms for Flourish Appeal recipients, is available on the school website.

Flexible Giving Opportunities

Long-term Giving

Donors have the flexibility to pledge any amount they wish and determine the number of years over which they would like to spread their contributions to fulfil the total value of a donation. Donors may spread pledges over a maximum period of seven years.

Asset Donations

Donating company shares is often an attractive option, allowing donors to gift either the entire value of the shares or offer the school the opportunity to acquire undervalued shares. The school is unable to offer financial advice, and always recommends consulting a financial advisor before committing to a philanthropic gift. Donations of other qualifying assets such as artwork or land are welcomed, subject to the school’s verification of their value prior to acceptance.

Recognition

Flourish Appeal donors will be celebrated across the school estate on donor boards, plaques and, where appropriate, by naming or renaming facilities or programmes of work. With the permission of the benefactor, gifts will also be publicised within print and digital publications and across social media. We cannot achieve this vision alone. The success of the Flourish Appeal relies on the generosity of our community. For those who feel able to support us philanthropically, at any level, we promise to recognise your kindness, keep you closely informed about the boys you are helping and celebrate your vital role as changemakers. Your support will create life-changing opportunities for boys who truly deserve them, sending ripples of impact far beyond our school gates.

Advice and Support

The Old Bedfordian (OB) and Philanthropy team at Bedford School is here to support anyone who is considering making a donation. While we cannot provide legal or financial advice, we can guide you on the best way to achieve the impact you envision by giving a gift to Bedford.

Our team includes an OB with a generational connection to the school, other long-standing colleagues and newer team members. The support they offer is both empathetic and expert.