Supporter Update
Autumn 2024 Issue 10
The Impact of Your Support
College publishes inspiring Impact Report
In October of this year, we published our first ever Impact Report. We do hope you have received it via email and have had a chance to take a look. We wanted to highlight the impact of your support, in all its forms, and shine a spotlight on the generosity and kindness that permeates our College. In particular, we wanted to feature the stories of our Foundation pupils, their families and of course our donors. Their stories are bold and brave and deeply moving, highlighting once again what an incredible school LWC is.
One thing is for certain, we continue to rely on your generosity and support to ensure the Lord Wandsworth Foundation and the College continues to thrive and grow from strength to strength. So much has been achieved that it was a difficult task to pull our first report together as there was simply so much to celebrate! We hope you have enjoyed reading it and ask that you share it far and wide so that we can continue to promote and celebrate our great school.
Philanthropy has continued to gain momentum at LWC. We are making a difference as we throw our doors open even wider than before, while remaining focussed on Sydney Stern’s principle of supporting bereaved children.
Robert Hannington, Chair of Governors
Highlights from the Autumn 2024 Impact Report
• 1 in 7 LWC pupils receive means-tested support
• 54%+ of our Foundation pupils receive a 100% bursary
• £2,916,436 raised by the LWC community over the last 5 years
• 46 charitable organisations and trusts supporting The Foundation
• 3 Donor Clubs to recognise charitable giving
• £37,109 raised by the pupil Charity Committee in the last 5 years
Increase in Gifts in Wills
2024 has seen a 23% surge in those deciding to leave LWC a gift in their Will. The increase is as a result of the launch of our free Will writing service with Octopus Legacies in February 2024, as well as the recent Sternian Survey. The survey revealed individuals who confirmed the inclusion of a bequest to LWC in their Wills which we did not know about. This was wonderful news and we can’t thank them enough.
Legacy giving has played an important role in the history of the College. Our founder Sydney Stern being the first to leave a life-changing gift to set up a College for orphaned children of agricultural workers.
To find out more about our free Will writing service, the different legacy giving options and tax benefits, please scan the QR code to view the legacy page on our website.
1912 Society News
A message from our Legacy Ambassador
‘I owe everything to LWC’
LWC Legacy Ambassador, the Right Honourable Lord Justice Coulson (Sutton, 1976) welcomed us to his chambers at the Royal Courts of Justice in early September.
Not only was it an absolute honour to be invited into this historic building, Sir Peter also kindly agreed to film a short piece about what motivated him to leave a gift to LWC in his Will.
The impact LWC has had on his life is clear to see and the film is a must-see.
To view it please visit the legacy page on our website (scan the QR code above)
Huge thanks to Sir Peter for his ongoing support in his role.
Anyone who makes the decision to leave a gift in their Will to the College or The Foundation is invited to join the 1912 Society. It is such a warm and welcoming group of like-minded people who all want to give back to LWC. We meet annually for a get together which is always great fun. Unfortunately, our plans this October were thwarted but we hope to send out invitations to a Spring gathering soon, as well as other events across the year.
For more information about the 1912 Society please visit the legacy page on our website (scan QR code above).
Headmaster’s Garden Party
Thank you to all our donors and volunteers!
On Saturday 22nd June, Headmaster, Adam Williams, invited all donor club members and our volunteers, to a beautiful drink’s reception in his garden at North View.
This was an opportunity for the College to extend a heartfelt thank you to the many individuals who have placed LWC at the forefront of their minds over the course of the last year. Your varied contributions greatly enrich our community and help us continue to thrive.
Giving Day 2025
We are excited to announce our second Giving Day which will take place on 25-26 March, 2025. A 36hour period whereby the entire LWC community comes together to celebrate the impact of the Lord Wandsworth Foundation as well as raise as much money as we can.
In March 2023, you raised just under £94,000 in our first Giving Day – a staggering amount of money in such a short period of time. We had a record number of new donors and gifts ranged from £1 - £5,000. Our Giving Day platform featured a live total and it was great fun to see this displayed across College screens and the pupils and staff getting excited as they watched the amount creep up and up. Sternians particularly enjoyed the House competition as you could track which House had the greatest number of donors. We hope 2025’s event will build on this even further.
Whether that was a donation to The Foundation or another project, giving up your time to mentor 5th Form pupils, attend Futures events, or as a member of the Sternian Trust Fund Committee or Sternians’ Association Committee, it is all greatly appreciated and we wanted to say a huge thank you.
The garden, which was designed with an arts and crafts style influence, provided the perfect backdrop for our reception. We were blessed with a warm summer’s evening as the catering team served us the most delicious summer cocktails and canapés as the sun went down.
The Giving Day is very much a community event with all sorts of activities and surprises planned across the two days for pupils, staff and Sternians to enjoy and have fun. We do hope you will join in and help us raise as much as we can!
New Golf Facilities at LWC
Fundraising Campaign Underway
The LWC community has been asked to support the College’s latest fundraising campaign which aims to support the explosion of demand for golfing tuition and on-site facilities from LWC pupils. There are approximately 150 pupils across the school wanting to take up the game at all levels of experience. More and more LWC parents have taken up the game too and are enjoying introducing their children to it, so are keen for them to access golf through the LWC co-curriculum.
With Headmaster, Adam Williams, an avid player with a scratch handicap (Senior Champion at the 2024 National Speed Golf Championships) this is not surprising news. One of our 5th form Form pupils was crowned Junior Champion too.
LWC now has a range of school golf teams, who are starting to succeed in the school sphere. Beyond LWC, we are working hard on creating more experiences for our Sternians. We are delighted to have formed an elite Sternian Golf Team, captained by Harry McGill (2018, Hazelveare), and were thrilled to have been elected into The Grafton Morrish competition, starting in 2025. Meanwhile the LWC Golf Society is growing all the time, with over 140 members.
Artist’s Impression of Proposed Golf Practice Area
GRASS CHIPPING
PUTTING GREEN
CAR PARK
GOLF HUB
HEALTH CENTRE
HAYGATE
BLOMFIELD GATES
HAZELVEARE& SUMMERFIELD
CENTRAL CAMPUS
HESTERS
Project Phases
We have ambitious plans to turbo-charge golf within our sports program over the coming years, and we hope to rally support from our LWC community to realise these plans.
Phase 1: Creating a Golf Practice Area, £79,500
The first step in bringing this vision to life is to establish a dedicated, high-quality practice area in the heart of the campus. This will include six golf nets, a chipping area, and a Cricket Hub, providing a space for pupils to refine their skills, build confidence, and develop a lifelong passion for golf, regardless of their experience level. It is an exciting first phase at LWC of what, with your support, can become a premier golf offering within UK schools.
Phase 2: Putting Green, £23,000
An astroturf putting green to enhance the Practice Area
Phase 3: Driving Range (Top Tracer)
We hope to install a 16-lane driving range, most likely built in two phases of 8 lanes, with associated facilities.
How to get involved
By supporting this project, you will be helping to inspire and nurture the next generation of LWC golfers - giving them the chance to embrace this special game. Could you be a champion for this project? Every contribution - whether through sponsorship, a donation, or simply spreading the wordbrings us one step closer to making this golf facility a permanent part of the LWC experience.
To find out more about this fundraising campaign please click on the QR code to read our Golf Appeal brochure in full.
Alternatively please do contact Sam Corfield directly on: 01256 860243 | philanthropy@lordwandsworth.org
LWC Pupils Supporting Young Carers Charity
Pupils are exposed to countless philanthropic opportunities that stretch beyond our own charity. The pupil Charity Committee leads the charge and this year they have decided to support Honeypot. Honeypot is an amazing charity that gives young carers the opportunity to make happy childhood memories and build brighter futures. It is the only charity in the UK that is solely dedicated to supporting young carers in the 5 – 12 age range. Each year, they aim to offer over 2,500 young carers and vulnerable children across the UK residential breaks or virtual workshops to give them respite from their caring duties. They also run a Wellbeing Fund, to provide small financial grants to families.
Do look out for the Charity Committee at the Christmas Carol Service on 12th December where they will be running a chocolate tombola. They have other ideas planned across the year. Good luck to them all!
A-level success for Foundation pupils!
According to Royal National Children’s Springboard Foundation, one of our key charity partners, vulnerable children educated in independent schools are:
• 4 times more likely to achieve strong GCSEs
• 5 times more likely to achieve A-level grades needed to access higher tariff universities.
It is no wonder then that our Upper Sixth Foundation pupils left LWC this summer with incredible futures ahead of them.
With over 52% of grades at A*- A and a 100% pass rate, this cohort set a new record last August with its best-ever A-Level results. This success is a testament to our inspirational teachers, a supportive community, and a commitment to broad, innovative learning.
Fundraising Income
2023/24 was a challenging year for fundraising. We know that some of our regular donors needed to pause their support for a while, and that others who are looking to make larger gifts weren’t able to commit quite yet.
That said, we were delighted with how everyone across the LWC Community supported the Foundation Day Appeal and Silent Auction. Overall, we raised £548,155. Thank you to everyone who gave, however large or small your gift it makes a real difference.
We are hopeful that 2024/25 will be brighter. We are delighted to have received several Cedrus Club gifts already, our Ice Trekkers are not only training hard for their challenge but have started with their fundraising efforts, and we are in full planning mode for the Giving Day in March. We hope that you will feel able to support the College or Foundation in some way again this year. Please reach out to us if you would like to discuss making a gift.
Foundation Pupil University Destinations
Our Upper Sixth Foundation pupils excelled and were delighted to secure places on some incredible degree courses at university including:
• Law at Cardiff
• Marketing at Swansea
• Politics & International Relations at Birmingham
• Physiotherapy at London South Bank.
Fundraising Income 2023/24 Total Raised £548,155
£2,000 for School House
£50,000 for The Foundation
Some Top Donations This Term
£2,000 for The Foundation
£10,000 for Canoeing
£20,000 Legacy for The Foundation
£10,000 for The Foundation
Save the Date
Christmas Market & Carol Service
The entire LWC community is welcome to join us at this magical, outdoor service and market. Wrap up warm and enjoy delicious hot food, mulled wine and hot chocolate. This year we are delighted to host a Christmas market with a variety of gifts to spoil your family and friends. Not forgetting the joyous Christmas music from the LWC Performing Arts pupils and a sparkling firework display.
12th December
6pm - 9.30pm @ LWC
Scan the QR code to book free tickets
Coming soon in 2025...
Bugsy Malone
Cedrus Club members are warmly invited to a performance of the hit show at The Haymarket Theatre, Basingstoke.
22nd & 23rd January
Tickets: Please look out for your invitation coming soon
Futures Fair
Please contact
futures@lordwandsworth.org if you would like to volunteer for this whole school event which is such an inspiration to all our pupils.
14th March
Mock Interview Morning
Please contact
futures@lordwandsworth.org if you would like to volunteer for this 5th Form event.
1st February
Foundation Day
All donors are welcome to attend our annual celebration at LWC.
27th March
Please look out for your invitation in the post
Headmaster’s Garden Party
A thank you to all Donor Club members and volunteers.
21st June
Please look out for your invitation in the post.
UK Fundraising Challenge Event 2025!
Following on from the success of our overseas challenges in aid of the Lord Wandsworth Foundation we are excited to announce a UK fundraising challenge for Autumn 2025.
We know that there are many of you that would like to join in on these adventures, but overseas travel isn’t always possible for a number of reasons. As such we wanted to include a UK challenge that would take place over a weekend and avoid too much time away from home/work. The challenge will be open to Sternians and LWC parents and staff. More details coming soon…
Ice Trekkers – the countdown is on!
With only a few months left to go, the Ice Trekkers have ramped up their training efforts ready for the bitter cold conditions of Iceland in February 2025.
A team of 27 Sternians and LWC parents will be embarking on this challenge of a lifetime, all in aid of the Lord Wandsworth Foundation. Each participant has been tasked with raising £1,300+. Good luck to all the trekkers!
As 2024 draws to a close we wanted to say a heartfelt thank you to all of you. Your continued generosity and support of the College in so many ways is gratefully appreciated. We thank you all and wish you and your families well as we head towards the festive period.
GET IN TOUCH WITH THE PHILANTHROPY & ALUMNI RELATIONS OFFICE
Sam Corfield, Director of Philanthropy & Alumni Relations
Kate Boyd, Philanthropy Manager
Clare Faherty, Alumni Relations Manager
Jane Friend, Trusts & Foundations Manager
E: philanthropy@lordwandsworth.org
Lord Wandsworth College, Long Sutton, Hampshire RG29 1TB
1143359
T: 01256 860243
T: 01256 860297
T: 01256 860356
T: 07585 428263
