Looking Ahead

The missing ingredient at Marlborough

Among the many and wonderful features of Marlborough College, is there still something significant missing? I venture to say there is. I have written and spoken before about the powerful case for independent schools like Marlborough to increase the number of pupils who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. The piece by the Club’s Foundation Director, Simon Lerwill, on page 85 looks at the issue from the standpoint of the recipients of full bursaries, showcasing the significant impact of bursaries on the lives of these pupils, their families and their communities. There is also the impact a bursary will have on the whole of the Marlborough community. Sadly, at present, Marlborough has only a very small number of full bursaries for such pupils. It is firmly my belief that having more pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds would create a more diverse and interesting community and one more representative of the wider world into which Marlborough pupils will move when they leave the College. The impact is very well described in the excellent survey by a former headmaster of King Edward’s School, Birmingham, John Claughton, in his book Transforming Young Lives: Fundraising for Bursaries. ‘Every school that has been successful in widening accessibility through meanstested provision feels that this strategy has materially enriched and enhanced the lives of all those in the school. It’s not just those who receive bursaries who benefit. Such provision not only offers opportunities for individual pupils but fulfils a school’s moral, social and civic purpose. It can even strengthen a school in its academic purpose by enabling bright boys and girls from less affluent backgrounds to attend. In the end, a school that has greater socio-economic diversity is a more interesting, a more human place; a better preparation for the life beyond school. That is good for everyone: pupils and parents, staff, governors and alumni and the wider community.’ I believe Marlborough needs to move decisively in this direction, with a big push for many more full bursaries. This is a view strongly endorsed by the Master and by Council. It requires the raising of large sums of money and steps are underway to prepare for a major fundraising initiative in this regard.

Giles Henderson Chairman of Council