Changing Lives
News from Bedford School Foundation Trust 2022 Newsletter
Welcome to our first newsletter which we hope will become a regular feature, keeping you updated on how your donations and support are helping to change the lives of boys at the school, and exciting plans for the school estate. While we’ve been focussing on the merger of the Foundation and the Bedford School Trust (see page 3), your generous donations have enabled us to continue to enhance the day-to-day experience of the current pupils. The Estate Masterplan, unveiled by the Head Master last autumn, is gaining momentum. The school went to planning at the end of May for the new academic building in Burnaby Road. By way of reminder, this transformational development, and its knock-on consequences, will see upgrades to eight academic departments, three-day houses, a boarding house, medical centre and IT centre. If things go to plan, planning consent will be given by October with the main works, possibly, next summer – with a potential completion date of 2025. There is, however, quite a long way to go to achieve that! I would like to thank you for all your support and hope you enjoy reading about how your generous donations are supporting the school and the boys. Lance Feaver (69-74)
Introducing Vincent Gaten, Development Director Vin Gaten joins us from Uppingham School, where he was Deputy Foundation Director for almost four years. At Uppingham, Vin evolved the fundraising offer into a multichannel programme of giving opportunities that supported all donors to make meaningful contributions to the school. In his own words:
Vin Gaten, Development Director
“ I was proud to be offered the role of Development Director at Bedford and, since joining, have been warmly welcomed by all.
My approach to fundraising is to create exciting, enriching opportunities for prospective donors to support causes close to their hearts. Good fundraising is never pushy and should be as respectful of a donor’s absolute right to say no to a giving opportunity, as it is celebratory of those who offer their support. Bedford is a great school that has helped thousands of boys become successful, respectable men; many of whom, I am confident, will be happy to consider contributing towards the institution’s latest evolution “
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Lance Feaver (69-74)
Inside this issue New Fitness Facilities 2 Together Again 2 Langham Pavilion 2 Contact Details 2 Regular Giving 3 Large Gifts 3 Bursaries 3 BSF & BST Merger 3 Community Generosity 3 Estates Masterplan 4 Leaving a Legacy 4
Special points of interest • • •
Merger of the Foundation and Trust Estate Masterplan Replicating stone Inscriptions