Pocklington School, held a virtual event recently to launch its new ‘Shape the Future’ campaign to raise money for bursaries. Attended by members of the school community including Governors, Life Patrons and staff, the event focused on the ambitious aims of the campaign and featured presentations by the School’s Headmaster, Toby Seth and Chair of Governors, Tim Stephenson.

The Campaign is part of the School’s Strategic Education Vision and its objective to ‘nurture a culture of giving back and increase accessibility to the school’.  It follows on from another fundraising campaign, completed in 2018, which raised £2 million to build a new Art and Design Technology Centre.

The aim is to help more families who are unable to afford the full fees.  The ‘Shape the Future’ Campaign seeks to raise £10 million for the John Dolman Trust endowment fund in 10 years to provide bursary places at the school in perpetuity.   The Campaign also wishes to raise £50,000 every year for the Annual Bursary Fund, which is used for immediate need.

Bursaries are offered to students whose families cannot afford the full fees and are offered on a strictly means-tested basis.

Founder members of the School’s new legacy society, the 1514 Club, were also present at the launch.  They have already shown their commitment to the Campaign by including a donation in their will, in recognition of the fact that Pocklington School can be transformative for young people.

Tim Stephenson, Chair of Governors said: “Like many Old Pocklingtonians, I benefitted in the 1970s from the direct grant system which paid my fees at the School. I went on to read Maths at Oxford and now enjoy a career in international finance, commodity risk management and sustainability.   As Chair of Governors, and also a former parent, I can see clearly the enormous progress made by the School since I left.  Many young people would greatly benefit from being at Pocklington School, and from whose presence the School as a whole would benefit.  I strongly believe the School should be an inclusive place, available to as many deserving students as possible. The Shape the Future Campaign will enable us to make this happen.”

The parent of a recent bursary recipient also spoke at the launch event. She commented: “I have witnessed at first hand the positive impact Pocklington School has on a child. My daughter has grown in confidence and intellect. From a shy, introverted young girl to becoming a confident, accomplished young lady. None of this would have been remotely possible had she not had a most generous bursary to assist with the school fees.”

Toby Seth, Headmaster commented: “Talent is spread evenly but opportunity is not.  Our Shape the Future Campaign seeks to give more young people the opportunity to access a life changing education at Pocklington School. At the same time, this will ensure the School remains an open and diverse community with equality of opportunity to all - an aim both our founder John Dolman and our most famous student, William Wilberforce, would surely heartily endorse.

Our ambitious target is reflected in our determination to offer a flying start to all pupils who apply to Pocklington School and to continue the cycle of giving to the next generation.  We have a tremendous community who recognise the impact attending Pocklington School has on young people and I look forward to working with them to help the next generation shape their own successful futures.”  

The fundraising campaign will now be rolled out to the Pocklington School community with information also available on its website at www.pocklingtonschool.com/shapethefuture 

To find out more about applying for a bursary to Pocklington School’s Sixth Form contact Fiona Lambert on 01759 321200 or download the booklet and information at https://bit.ly/38Bn6Ib