The Martin Marriott FOUNDATION

The Martin Marriott Foundation (MMF) raises funds to provide transformational bursaries for deserving pupils who will benefit greatly from a Canford education but whose families are in no position to afford it. Funds raised through the MMF support both day and boarding pupils.

13.5% of pupils at Canford are in receipt of some bursary support

Almost 7% receive 75% in bursary support

Almost 3% receive 100% in bursary support

We would like to increase our support for 100% bursary places to 10% over the next 10 years.

This is ambitious but we make no apology for this! Pupils in receipt of a bursary gain tremendously AND the impact that they have on our community is immeasurable.

The Canford Community At Work

Our annual fund in 2022 reached £91,000 and this will fund a Royal SpringBoard pupil for their final two years at Canford. This is a tremendous testament to the power of collective giving, your generosity and support. We are hoping to find support from major donors but know that many are not in a position to give large amounts. However, this total signifies the power of the Canford Community at work. Together, we can all make a difference.

Our Goal

Drawing on our success and the fantastic support of the Canford Community our Annual Fund goal for 2023 will be £80,000. This figure will once again start the fund for a Royal SpringBoard pupil for their first two years at Canford.

Matthew

Matthew came to Canford on a bursary via SpringBoard and the Eastside Young Leaders’ Academy. His mother was instrumental in trying to get access to a boarding school for Matthew to improve his educational opportunities. Matthew didn’t want to come! He knew it would be difficult to start with and was very reluctant to step out of his comfort zone. He has cousins who had accessed a private education and so it was not totally unknown to him but it was still a massive change.

Coming from East London, Canford was quiet, very dark at night and in the middle of nowhere! It took a while but Matthew settled in well and talking with his mother, the changes in Matthew just in the first few months were very marked. He had never been particularly sporty but he quickly got involved in everything Canford had to offer.

Matthew has gained a great deal from Canford and in turn has also added a tremendous amount to the Canford Community. He has found a real personal drive and purpose to his work where previously he could have been easily distracted. He has thrown himself into everything and has worked hard to break down stereotypes. He admits that he could have been at high risk of drifting and not developing his full potential. He has kept in touch with friends from his previous school and can see a marked difference in their experiences.

“Canford has helped me to change my mentality, my goals and my ambitions.” In his final year he was Deputy Head of School. A position to be proud of and very well deserved.

LUCY

Lucy came to Canford from a local middle school. Her passion is English Literature and she has always wanted to go to either Oxford or Cambridge. She knew that coming to Canford would improve her chances. The application and testing process was quite daunting and to Lucy, Canford looked otherworldly. There was added pressure as Lucy knew that without a 100% bursary, she would not be able to attend. When her application was successful and she received the letter offering her full funding, she cried.

Settling in at Canford was challenging as many Shells had arrived from Prep Schools all knowing each other and there were sharp learning curves to conquer. Lucy found lessons very different. She was allowed to question and was not told off for ‘asking’. By her own admission, Lucy found a few subjects difficult but the specific learning clinics offered were very helpful and teachers, especially Mrs Thornburrow, were kind and helpful.

Lockdown was not an easy time for young people generally but Lucy found the online lessons and support at Canford invaluable. If she hadn’t attended Canford, she feels that she may not have coped with A levels at all but the support she received ‘has been amazing’. Lucy has offers to study English Literature at Cambridge, Edinburgh and Durham. She would like to go on to complete a Masters and PhD. “The last few years have been truly transformative and I owe everything to Canford.”

Arian

Arian chose to apply to Canford as he felt he needed a change and really wanted to have the ability to express himself and access more opportunities. When he visited for his entrance tests he stayed with Mr Vandvik (Housemaster) but living relatively locally, he hadn’t considered a boarding place and the cost would have been even more prohibitive.

When Arian was accepted on a full bursary he was ecstatic and his family were delighted. He joined in the Sixth Form during the Covid-19 pandemic which meant starting a new school and trying to make friends and build relationships online. This was not easy but he knew he was already getting a great head start to his Sixth Form years. When School returned to in-person, Arian boarded in Court House.

“It was great! Adapting to shorter lessons was different but it really does work and I always felt at my best, fresh and very productive. I took part in so much sport which I loved”

Arian describes the different options and support he received at Canford to be exceptional. He did A Levels in Maths, History and French and through the careful considered support and research he received from his tutor, he will complete a very unusual university programme consisting of two bachelor degrees across 4 years – 2 years at SciencesPo in France and 2 years at Columbia, NYC. Arian received a full scholarship for this Ivy League establishment. Before coming to Canford, Arian considered himself to be very quiet and reserved and he felt his interests were being constrained. Arian made a very positive impression on the Canford Community and was appointed as Head of School after less than one year at Canford. When asked what difference coming to Canford has made to him ... “It has unlocked my character and allowed me to excel.”

Agnes

Agnes came to Canford for the Sixth Form from a local grammar school during the Covid-19 pandemic which meant starting a new school and trying to make friends online. She found this quite tough as she is naturally shy. However, she could already sense that the Canford Community was welcoming like a family. Her relationships in House were very close knit quite quickly. Agnes could also immediately see the difference in the quality of her online tuition. It was totally incomparable to what she had experienced at her previous school.

Canford opened up the opportunity for Agnes to try rowing as a sport. By her own admission she had never been sporty but she absolutely loves rowing. “The best thing I’ve ever done!” It has really helped to make her experience at Canford special. She enjoyed the atmosphere at the Boat Club and can see that the sport has provided her with transferable skills. She competed for Canford at Henley Women’s Regatta and hopes to continue rowing at university. Agnes is also grateful for some of the extras that have been funded e.g. the Summer Ball, through the Michael Toosey fund for pupils in receipt of a bursary. Agnes’ dream is to go to the University of Aberdeen to study Medicine and then focus on rural medicine. Looking back on her experience, Agnes feels that Canford allowed her to be surrounded by great people and a superb environment where there is always someone there for you.