5 minute read
Development
Giving Back
In spring this year, the Master unveiled a new vision and strategy for the College. In it she said that a Marlborough education should create ‘inspiring young people who, appreciating the privileges they receive, want to make a positive difference in the world’. This feels like a very Marlborough value – one that speaks to our Christian foundation and to the generations of Marlburians since who have gone on to make a difference in society after leaving the College. There is probably no better example of this value in action than Poppy McGhee (NC U6). Poppy is an extremely talented
39 pupils
on full bursaries plus a further 64 on partial bursaries
Over 200 donors £4 million
has been raised for bursaries since 2021 musician – she passed her grade 8 on the violin when she was just eight years old. However, she has always understood the importance of giving back and helping those less fortunate than herself. For the past decade, Poppy has been raising funds for the Amber Trust, an amazing charity that provides musical opportunities for blind and partially sighted children and children with more complex needs. Poppy has played in many fundraising concerts and is, according to the charity’s director, their ‘golden fundraiser’. Last year, she received both the Rotary Young Citizen Award, which celebrates the achievements of inspiring young people, and the Diana Award, in recognition of her charitable work. However, Poppy would not be at Marlborough were it not for her free bursary place. There are now more than 30 pupils on a full bursary and many of them are funded by generous donations from Old Marlburians, parents and friends of the College. £4m was raised for bursaries in the last financial year (2021/22) – a record in a single year – and I am extremely grateful to the hundreds of donors who have supported this important cause. Together, you are providing life-changing opportunities to many future Marlburians whilst also helping to create a more diverse pupil community that better prepares all pupils for the society that they will go on to live and work in.
Increasing the number of full bursaries that we are able to offer to motivated and talented young people like Poppy is a major priority for the College. Next spring, we will be launching an ambitious fundraising campaign to make this goal a reality. I have no doubt that the recipients of the bursaries, like so many of our pupils and Old Marlburians, will go on to give back to society in many extraordinary ways. You can find out more about the work of the Amber Trust at www.ambertrust.org.
Development
Science and Innovation
Over one year into the complete reworking of Science and Innovation at Marlborough, we are pleased to report that the Beko Innovation Centre is up and running and work continues on the next phase to transform the Science Block.
One of the Master’s ambitions for the Beko Innovation Centre was for it not only to be a place to inspire our own pupils to push the boundaries academically but to use it as part of our growing outreach and partnership work. It was therefore very exciting to welcome pupils from a local primary school for the first outreach visit to the centre in the 2021/22 Lent Term.
Community outreach is an important part of life at Marlborough, and it aims to continue a pupil’s education beyond the classroom. The motto for Outreach is ‘Enriching Lives Through Service’. Many of our pupils volunteer each week in an extensive list of community activities. STEM-based education teaches children far more than science, technology, engineering and mathematical concepts – with a focus on hands-on learning and real-world applications it develops life-long skills such as curiosity, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, communication and collaboration.
Our Sixth Formers have been using TWIN science kits (created by the non-profit Young Guru Academy) at Broad Hinton Primary as part of a 10-week programme. Activities are based around the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and involve pupils trying to design solutions to world problems. One recent activity, based on how technology can be used to improve people’s lives, involved the visiting children designing and making a robotic hand. On another occasion they constructed a living wall of plants potted up in recycled plastic bottles, with a solar-powered pump powering an irrigation system fed by rainwater. Headteacher of Broad Hinton Church of England Primary School, Elizabeth Lloyd, said, ‘This is a fantastic opportunity to develop scientific knowledge alongside other students. The partnership work is really important to us and the opportunity to come here is particularly valuable as it gives the pupils access to equipment, and to be able to carry out practical work, that we could not do back at school.’
Work on the Science Block continues in phases to minimise disruption to teaching. The former Design & Technology building and North Block have to all intents and purposes been rebuilt, along with the new link building, which incorporates a lift. Work has begun on the major restoration of the listed Newton building. This is a major undertaking involving a great deal of demolition work. The walls, which were built during the 1970s around the lecture theatres, will be removed and the floors levelled up, revealing a dramatic triple-height central space around which a set of bespoke laboratories and teaching spaces will provide level access for all pupils and building users for the first time. But OMs need not fear, we will still maintain the inherent quality and character of the iconic Newton building. ‘We are slightly behind schedule, but considering we have had to deal with a pandemic and a severe shortage of materials, I am pleased with the progress we are making,’ said Estates Bursar Andy Barnes, who is overseeing the project. It is hoped it will be complete by Easter 2024. Jan Perrins Associate Director (Development)
