Felsted's Fundraising Wins Independent School of the Year Award
Felsted's Fundraising Wins Independent School of the Year Award
Felsted's achievement in raising funds to support pupils from a wide range of backgrounds has been recognised with an ‘Independent School of the Year Award’.
‘The Development Award for an Outstanding Fundraising Achievement 2024’ is presented by Independent School Parent magazine to the UK independent school its judges deem has ‘demonstrated exceptional success in a creative, community-driven fundraising initiative that significantly furthers the school's mission’.
A new initiative as part of Felsted's fundraising programme has emphasised to its donors the life-changing impact of education and as a result more than 10 places each year are made available free of charge and financial support is offered to qualifying pupils throughout the school.
‘Our team has ignited community-wide conversations about philanthropy and the power of education,’ said Kate Love, Felsted’s Director of Development and Alumni Relations. ‘We’ve made a conscious effort to take an inclusive and transparent approach to fundraising and its impact and have put ‘giving back’ in the spotlight, because philanthropy for transformative bursaries is a demonstration of our school values in action.’
Two members of Felsted Development team, Verity Stone and Rosie Eastop, collecting the award.
‘Our team has ignited community-wide conversations about philanthropy and the power of education,’ said Kate Love, Felsted’s Director of Development and Alumni Relations. ‘We’ve made a conscious effort to take an inclusive and transparent approach to fundraising and its impact and have put ‘giving back’ in the spotlight, because philanthropy for transformative bursaries is a demonstration of our school values in action.’
The ‘Independent School of the Year Award’ judges praised Felsted’s commitment to widening access to its education, driven by the generosity and engagement of its extended community.
The school’s fundraising and communication initiatives have resulted in over 340 donations to the bursary fund over the past year and the school’s first Giving Day in April 2024 attracted a majority of first-time donors.
‘Involving pupils, staff, parents and well-wishers, this community fundraising event alone was so successful that it trebled our donor base in 36 hours,’ said Kate. ‘The proceeds enabled us to make available an additional fully-funded Sixth Form place to a young person from our partner school, the Royal Docks Academy in Newham, East London.’
Fee assistance currently benefits a third of students at Felsted, at a cost of £2.9m, which is drawn largely from the school’s annual income and fundraising. Felsted is committed to widening access to the school for students from a range of backgrounds and bursaries are allocated on a means-tested basis, with several 100% bursaries offered each year. Recipients include Sixth Form pupils from the Royal Docks Academy and others joining through the Royal National Springboard Foundation. HMC Sixth Form Scholarships are made available to pupils joining from Eastern Europe and in recent years free places have been provided to children relocating to the UK from Ukraine under the Government scheme. A small number of specific bursaries are funded by generous donors who are keen to give back to the Felsted community.
Felsted aims to foster a culture of charity and service throughout the school, encouraging its pupils to make a positive impact. Throughout the year, pupils lead fundraising activities such as sponsored trampolining, school fetes, bake sales, and various runs, including a 106km Ultra Marathon for SSAFA. They also volunteer locally and globally, helping at an East London night shelter and working with disadvantaged children in Mumbai and Malawi. In September, Head Chris Townsend and parent Simone Gubbins took on the Goggins 4x4x48 challenge, exemplifying the school’s core values and inspiring others to make a positive impact through fundraising and volunteering.
