Sam Ellis

Meet the School’s Fundraising Manager

Sam Ellis

Sam Ellis and Kevin Fear, Headmaster The School Charter dated 1513 sealed by Henry VIII

I joined the Development Office almost two years ago as the School’s first Fundraising Manager. From its foundation to the present day, the School has championed social mobility for the bright children of Nottinghamshire and the surrounding counties, regardless of their families’ ability to pay through the bursary programme.

Founded with one Legacy in 1513, Nottingham High School has been providing an outstanding education for over 500 years. Our history is built on benevolence, we are proud of our humble beginnings. From the moment a student joins the School, their own journey begins through a house community inspired by philanthropy. Our School Houses are named after four of our benefactors: Mellers’, named after the School’s Founder, Dame Agnes Mellers Cooper’s, named after Frederick Cooper, an artist who in 1872 donated almost two acres (8,100 m2) of land to the School Maples’, named after Samuel Maples, a former pupil who bequeathed £3,0001 to fund bursaries in 1882 White’s, after Sir Thomas White who endowed a charity to provide interest-free loans to “young men of good name and thrift”.

Our own history is also clearly influenced by national history.

• Under the Direct Grant Scheme (1944-1979) a significant percentage of Nottingham High

School students paid no fees at all. • When this was replaced by The

Government’s Assisted Places

Scheme (1979-1997) - one third of students received funding.

1 A legacy of £3,000 in 1882 is the equivalent of around £400,000 in today’s money.

Following the withdrawal of state funding, in 1997, the demographics changed. The School set up a bursary fund that today provides financial assistance to one in eight students, to varying degrees. Since then, our support for bursaries has been complemented by income from the School’s modest endowment fund, local trusts and foundations and a number of generous Old Nottinghamians. We are incredibly grateful for all gifts, large or small, now or in the future. The donations really do change lives.

Many of you will know Kamala and Deborah, we are a close-knit team, all of whom find our work incredibly rewarding. Our Alumni are at the very heart of what we do; getting to know each other better, sharing stories and memories, as well as sensing the warmth you feel towards your old school.

Kamala Newton, Sam Ellis and Deborah Penney

A sustainable Bursary Fund enriches the life of the School and ensures its continued growth and success

Nottingham High School has put social mobility on the map and thanks to our supporters continues to build a culture of diversity and inclusion as we prepare our students for life beyond school.

As well as fundraising for the Bursary Fund, the Development Team are responsible for Events – ON Dinners, ReuniONs, Charity Golf Day, reflectiONs (our oral history project), connectiONs (our soon to be launched monthly social), mentoring, work experience.

Sam Ellis at the School’s Charity Golf Day

If you’re interested in finding out more about our work and you can support your old school please contact me ellis.s@nottinghamhigh.co.uk