Why I have chosen to support the King Edward VI Foundation

Phil Preston (KES 64-71)

During my last year at Shirley Junior School, I was part of a production of a Shakespeare play. One of our performances took place at King Edward’s in front of a packed audience of pupils and staff from other schools in Southampton and this triggered my determination to become a pupil. I was, therefore, thrilled, if a little surprised, to pass my 11+ and gain a place at KES.

With older parents and limited financial means, I looked to the staff at KES as role models. The late Eric Merriman, in particular, helped me cultivate my continuing passion for music and I joined the school choir at the end of my first year enabling me to be a part of the many successful musical events and choir trips abroad to countries such as Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Involvement in a range of the many extra-curricular activities on offer at KES developed my keen sense of teamwork, leadership, responsibility and the value of friendship in a secure and caring setting.

I left KES in 1971, the year in which Colin Dobson succeeded John Stroud as Headmaster. I joined the staff of Hampshire County Council as an audit assistant following which I undertook a range of roles in Education Management in local authorities in the Southeast of England. I subsequently became Head of Education Planning and School Organisation in two London Boroughs and, for two years, I was Senior Education Consultant in a major international project management company supporting education providers in the UK and abroad. Now retired, my love of music continues and this year I am devoting much of my free time to singing second bass with the Chelmsford Singers as well as supporting our local Mencap group as a trustee in Chelmsford.

As well as a sound academic foundation, attending KES gave me a set of values and standards by which to conduct my life and which my wife and I have always instilled in our children and grandchildren.

We have chosen to support the King Edward Foundation as we wanted to help young people, who would not otherwise have the financial means, to benefit from the potential life-changing educational experience and opportunities that I was fortunate to have had through attending KES myself. Every time I return, I still feel ‘at home’ - part of the happy and caring KES family - and would encourage other OEs to join with those of us who have committed to helping the next generation of KES pupils.

To find out more about how you can help, either by making a donation or leaving a legacy, please visit our website by scanning the QR code.