Introducing the Marlborough Difference Campaign for life-changing bursaries
The best way to help bursary pupils adapt is to have more bursary pupils coming from all different backgrounds so that it doesn’t seem as novel to pupils and staff This will make all bursary pupils feel as normal as any other Marlborough pupil
Anonymous bursary recipient
The Marlborough Difference Campaign aims to dramatically increase the number of full bursary places from 39 to 100 so that 10% of pupils will receive a free education at Marlborough by 2033.
This will be in addition to the support we already provide to fund partial bursaries.
Bursaries at Marlborough transform the lives of motivated and talented young people by providing them with the opportunities, environment, and support to excel. A more inclusive and diverse Marlborough community in which bursary pupils are fully integrated will be transformative for the College and increase the positive impact we make. Every pupil will benefit from better preparation for their future careers, the experience of broader perspectives, and the inspiration to achieve more.
We know from speaking to Old Marlburians, parents, staff, and pupils that there is strong support in our aim to increase accessibility for young people who require financial support.
To ensure that we are well-placed to welcome these bursary pupils, we are asking the Marlburian community to become a Bursary Futures Volunteer to help them during their time at the College and when they become Old Marlburians.
Thank you to those who have supported bursaries in the past, for which we are extremely grateful. The brilliance, passion and determination of our existing bursary recipients, both in their contributions as pupils and as Old Marlburians now compels all of us to do more.
We are asking our entire Marlborough Community to make their first donation to the Marlborough Difference Campaign which will help make a life-changing Marlborough education possible for more motivated and talented young people, just like those featured in the following pages.
Increase the number of full bursary places to 100 by 2033
10% of the pupil body will receive a full bursary
Recruit at least
100 volunteers to support bursary pupils
To do this, we will need to raise £75m
Born to a family forced to flee. Raised in a deprived borough. Determined to achieve. Driven to make the most of the chance your bursary gave me. Now at Oxford University and already using my experience to help others. I am the difference Marlborough makes .
By supporting The Marlborough Difference campaign for life-changing bursaries, you enable motivated and talented young people like Nadia to achieve their full potential and enrich the education of every pupil at the College.
www.marlboroughdifference.org
My secondary school in Northern Ireland, where I had a free place, was the difference for me. My parents could never have afforded the education I received and so this rare opportunity was life-changing. The academic rigour and the co-curricular activities at the school were just incredible and I owe a huge amount to the teachers who encouraged and opened doors for me. My time at school set me up for just about everything that was to follow: studying at Cambridge, teaching at Marlborough, and then returning to Marlborough as Master. None of this would have happened without this life-changing opportunity.
That is why providing that same opportunity at Marlborough to talented and motivated young people from financially disadvantaged backgrounds is so important to me. And that is also why I am so passionate about the Marlborough Difference Campaign succeeding. Being able to offer 100 children, 10% of our pupil cohort, a free place here will be a fantastic achievement for the College, and I am incredibly grateful to all those wonderful donors who have supported us this far.
There is no doubt in my mind that the whole Marlborough Community will benefit from a more diverse pupil body – one that is more representative of the society Marlburians will go on to live and work in – and we all will benefit from the diverse perspectives and range of ideas which will come. The College will enrich the lives of our bursary holders and, in turn, the bursary holders will propel our community to the next level.
I know first-hand how our bursary pupils, like so many of our pupils, can go on to make a difference in the world. Poppy M., who features in our campaign film and graduates from the College this summer, has raised thousands of pounds for the Amber Trust, a charity that provides
musical opportunities for blind and partially sighted children. She is a wonderful example of that truly Marlburian mark of striving to make the world a better place.
I believe very strongly that the journey we are embarking upon will be the most important transformation for Marlborough since co-education back in 1968. Whether by donating or volunteering, I hope many Old Marlburians and parents will partner with us to make a positive difference –to the recipients, to our College, and to society as a whole.
Louise Moelwyn-Hughes Master
“I believe very strongly that the journey we are embarking upon will be the most important transformation for Marlborough since co-education back in 1968.”
Born abroad. Moved between barracks. Being the new boy is nothing new. With a sports bursary, comes camaraderie. Endless first days traded for life-long friends. A Boarding House full of happy memories. Not just boarding, belonging. This is the difference Marlborough makes.
By supporting The Marlborough Difference campaign for life-changing bursaries, you enable motivated and talented young people like Henry to achieve their full potential and enrich the education of every pupil at the College.
www.marlboroughdifference.org
As we grow the number of free places, we have sought to understand the value that full bursaries have for individuals, their families, the College, and society. We invited bursary recipients who have recently left Marlborough to share their thoughts with us.
83% felt prepared before they arrived at Marlborough
79% relished the academic challenge at Marlborough
The top three benefits from attending Marlborough:
1. The quality of teaching and the encouragement to achieve
2. The relationships they formed within the Marlborough community
3. Growth in confidence and independence
To find out more about this research, please visit www. marlboroughdifference.org/ impact
Top university destinations include Durham, Cardiff, and Newcastle with one currently studying at Oxford University
80% agreed that being a bursary pupil did not affect who they mixed with and 74% were open about their bursary
72% thought their prospects would have been worse if they had stayed in their local school
Since leaving, 77% are actively engaging with the Marlburian Club activities and
35% now volunteer for their local or wider community
In anticipation of the launch of the Marlborough Difference Campaign, supporters who are passionate about increasing the number of bursaries have told us why they stand behind the campaign, and here’s what they said:
“Donating to bursaries is a pleasingly virtuous circle: we help the College not to be just a place for the very privileged but to have diversity of background and by so doing we broaden the horizons of children whose parents can afford the fees; and we give young people who had absolutely no expectation of such a special education, a life-changing opportunity for themselves and their communities.”
Tim Martin-Jenkins (B3 1961-65), Council Member and Chairman of Marlborough College Foundation“Before Poppy came to Marlborough, I didn’t know if I would be able to provide what she needed for her to excel as a musician. Marlborough believed in Poppy from the start, and she has thrived in an environment that nurtures her talent and allows pupils to reach their full potential. Poppy now has the chance to follow her lifelong ambition to become a musician and has secured a place to study at the conservatoire of her dreams with a major scholarship. I firmly believe that this would never have happened without the fully funded place at Marlborough.”
Poppy’s Mother, Angie
“I have adored my five years at Marlborough, I have benefitted not just from truly excellent teaching and class-leading sport, but from being part of a 24/7 vibrant and eclectic community. Providing someone less fortunate than myself with this opportunity, will enrich another young life and make Marlborough even more diverse at the same time.”
Grace H., Senior Prefect
“Since attending Marlborough, helping others to access a great education has been a lifelong passion of mine. Studies have shown that the single best investment we can make in the future of our planet is to provide a good education for every child. As an OM who recognises the exceptional education that I received, I put my money where my mouth is as a monthly donor. The Marlborough Difference Campaign is a fantastic opportunity for OMs to support the school that gave us the very best start in life. Together, Old Marlburians can make a real difference to the lives of many disadvantaged young people for generations to come.”
Harriett Baldwin (née Eggleston) (LI 1975-77), Marlburian Club President
“It has been a real joy to have witnessed first-hand how a life-changing bursary can shape the lives of young people. A Marlborough education makes a huge difference to their enjoyment of education, life, and career prospects.”
Richard Willmett, SpringBoard Coordinator“Going to Marlborough was an enormous privilege for my sister and me. Providing bursaries for brilliant individuals from a less fortunate background to us has been a way for our family to give something back. It has been very rewarding for us all. We feel very proud of everyone we have sponsored and it gives us huge pleasure to watch them flourish and fulfil their dreams after they leave school.”
Antonia Packard (SU 2002-04)
“Increasing the number of bursary places will help more young people gain opportunities that we otherwise would not have had. Being at Marlborough I have had access to the facilities and resources to thoroughly develop as a player on and off the rugby pitch.”
Harlan H., bursary recipient Tim Martin-Jenkins Poppy M.“Your time at Marlborough is defined by what you learn, not only in the classroom but from the incredible people outside the classroom. The Marlborough Difference Campaign will grow the diversity and talent that characterizes the entire Marlborough College community. The most valuable lessons are those learned through the community around you; we should always be trying to grow that community.”
Rayaan C., Charity Committee“The Guidance Department advises pupils about subject choices, work experience, higher education applications, possible gap year projects, and future careers. For some, preparing for life after Marlborough can be daunting and bursary pupils in particular, sometimes need a little more support to help them understand the breadth of opportunities available to them. Our entire department is dedicated to ensuring that all pupils at Marlborough are on the path to achieve their potential after Marlborough.”
Guy Nobes, Head of Guidance
“For me, being a bursary pupil at Marlborough came with an immense sense of pride. I enjoyed being at Marlborough and made the most of every opportunity possible whether that be in the classroom, on the sports field, or in my boarding house. My time at Marlborough was transformational and I can honestly say that I am more confident and considerate than when I arrived.”
Rory England (TU 2020-22), bursary recipient
If you would like to join other Old Marlburians, pupils, parents, and staff who are committed to helping us achieve our campaign goals, please visit www. marlboroughdifference. org
Harriett Baldwin (née Eggleston)
Rory England
Guy Nobes
Harlan H.
Grace H.
Antonia Packard
Richard Willmett
Age 14. A pivotal time. Thrown into flux by a father lost too soon. The bursary that offered a lifeline. A chance to grow friendships, knowledge, and networks. To thrive in a familiar environment. Somewhere to be himself. Someone whose ultimate success would be paying the opportunity forward.
This is the difference Marlborough makes.
By supporting The Marlborough Difference campaign for life-changing bursaries, you enable motivated and talented young people like Finn to achieve their full potential and enrich the education of every pupil at the College.
www.marlboroughdifference.org
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported bursaries so far, whether that’s been the sponsorship of a bursary pupil, a monthly gift, a one-off donation, giving your time, or offering work experience.
Since it was founded in 1843, Marlborough has offered transformational bursaries to generations of young people, regardless of their financial background. However, reaching 100 free places will depend upon philanthropy. Our intention is that this campaign will fund the full bursary places required whilst the College will continue to fund partial bursaries.
We now have 39 pupils with a full bursary who would otherwise have been unable to attend Marlborough. This is the highest number of pupils with a free place that we have had in recent history. For some pupils, we offer a 110% bursary which means their bursary will not only fund their school fees but ensures they are fully immersed in the Marlborough environment by providing access to additional funds for IT equipment, academic trips, travel costs and their uniform.
Growing our bursary endowment fund is also a key priority for the campaign. Building this fund will allow us to provide bursary places in perpetuity. Our endowed funds are currently worth £6.5m and this supports four bursary pupils in the College.
2022/23 39
Number of pupils on a full bursary 14
2019/20
2020/21 20
2021/22 30
The success of the Marlborough Difference Campaign relies not just on philanthropy, but also on ensuring that we can recruit enough talented and motivated young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and that, once they are here, they are supported by our excellent pastoral care system. Taken together, this holistic strategy of funding, finding, and caring for our full bursary pupils will ensure that we are well-placed to reach our campaign goal of 100 pupils and that these pupils have the best possible support on their journey to Marlborough, at the College, and beyond.
Marlborough already has an exceptional system of pastoral care and there has been recent investment to develop this further, including new ‘Head of Boarding’ and ‘Director of Safeguarding’ roles. However, we know that pupils on full bursaries often require additional help and support. As a result, we are planning to introduce a new ‘Head of Bursary Welfare’, to oversee the pastoral care of all our full bursary pupils and to liaise with the families both before and during their time at the College.
Edward Nightingale, Deputy Head (Pastoral), said “Our aim is to create a ‘best in class’ pastoral system to ensure Marlborough is known to be an outstanding school when it comes to supporting its bursary pupils.” We are also pairing new bursary pupils with existing pupils who can provide advice.
We are committed to ensuring that motivated young people with potential can attend Marlborough, regardless of their financial means. However, for many of these young people, a Marlborough education is unlikely to be on their radar. To attract young people who will thrive here, James Lyon Taylor, Director of Admissions, is working to “build a network of partner schools and organisations around the country in order to reach our goal”.
“Our aim is to create a ‘best in class’ pastoral system”
One of our most important partners in this campaign is the Royal National Children’s SpringBoard Foundation (RNCSF), the UK’s largest bursary charity. RNCSF have established partnerships with charities and Local Authorities in deprived areas across the UK to ensure that schools can target their transformational bursary schemes for young people who most need access to the opportunities these provide.
Locally we offer bursaries every year to a number of pupils from Swindon Academy, with whom we have had a long and successful partnership, and we work closely with a number of other primary and secondary schools through our flourishing outreach programme.
Ali Henderson, RNCSF’s Chief Executive, said “We are proud to partner with Marlborough College, who in recent years has been at the forefront of the independent school sector’s approach to widening access and playing a part in the social mobility landscape. Through our partnership to date, young people have been able to benefit from the transformational opportunities of fully funded bursary place at Marlborough College. I hope that, through this campaign, we will be able to work together to help shift the life chances of many more young people in the years ahead”.
Find out more about the RNCSF at www. royalspringboard.org.uk
The Marlburian community has a strong history of supporting each other and the Marlburian Club has received many offers from Old Marlburians, as has the Guidance department from parents. Pupils benefit from OMs and parents coming back to College to give careers talks which can help to inspire them and could guide them to take a path previously unthought of.
Bursary pupils may require a little bit more support. Many won’t be used to having a network such as the one the Marlburian Club offers, and their needs will be different. We are therefore asking the Marlburian community to become a Bursary Futures Volunteer and help bursary recipients during their time at the College and as Old Marlburians.
Bursary Futures Volunteers can give their time in a number of different ways:
• Help bursary recipients understand their career choices and provide practical experience.
• Provide information on what it is like to study at your university or work at your organisation.
• Provide internships or work experience for current or former bursary recipients.
• Become a mentor to them at different stages of their life.
We know Old Marlburians are very keen to get involved and we are grateful to those who have already offered their time. We also offer this level of support to non-bursary recipients, too, and we keep details of all offers received for when the right pupil requires help.
Please be aware that working with current pupils is complex and we take the safety of our pupils seriously. As such, the College follows national safeguarding guidelines which requires all volunteering contact between pupils and volunteers to be monitored and/or for volunteers to have undergone DBS checks.
Become a volunteer who can help a bursary pupil adapt to life at Marlborough, or help ensure the brightest possible futures for our bursary pupils by offering career advice, work placements, or internships.
A loving home, but no funds for lessons. A scholarship earned. Teachers and classmates who inspire. The chance to grow, to excel. National awards. A talent that couldn’t be lost. A passion that won’t be stopped. This is the difference Marlborough makes.
By supporting The Marlborough Difference campaign for life-changing bursaries, you enable motivated and talented young people like Poppy to achieve their full potential and enrich the education of every pupil at the College.
www.marlboroughdifference.org
In 2022, over 300 generous donors (named overleaf) raised £4m for bursaries –the most that has ever been raised for financial aid in one year.
While we have made every effort to ensure your details are correct and we have been careful to omit the names of those donors who wish to remain anonymous, if you spot an error, please get in touch so that we can correct our records for future publications.
Total amount raised for bursaries, so far
Pre 2019* £2.9m
2019/20 £1m
2020/21 £3m
2021/22 £4m
2022/23** £2.4m
So far, you have donated over £13 million for bursaries**
Over £4.3 million raised from 312 donors in 2022
25% of donors are Old Marlburians and 66% are parents
93% raised for bursaries
A passion for sports, but ready for more. The parent who sees a champion. An emerging talent embraced by a Rugby bursary. Nurtured by training like never before. With teammates and coaches who push. His own personality shining brighter with every match. This is the difference Marlborough makes.
By supporting The Marlborough Difference campaign for life-changing bursaries, you enable motivated and talented young people like Harlan to achieve their full potential and enrich the education of every pupil at the College.
www.marlboroughdifference.org
Become a donor by sponsoring a pupil, supporting our bursary endowment, leaving a gift in your will, or making a single or monthly donation.
Become a volunteer who can provide mentoring, career advice, work placements, or internships to help ensure the brightest possible futures for our bursary pupils.
For more information about the Marlborough Difference Campaign, please visit www.marlboroughdifference.org
Become a champion and join other Old Marlburians, pupils, parents, and staff who are committed to helping us achieve our campaign goals by sharing our messages with your network and advocating for our campaign.
