The Richard Churcher Foundation

The Richard Churcher Foundation

1 The Richard Churcher Foundation

From the Chair of Governors Widening access to Churcher’s

Building upon our foundations

Churcher’s has been part of my life since my son, Duncan, joined the College in September 1987.

Not least, the establishment of the Richard Churcher Foundation, which was formally set up during my tenure as Chair and goes from strength to strength in supporting so many children to have an education at Churcher’s who might otherwise not have had the opportunity.

I put my name forward to join the Parents Association for the Senior School, was accepted and so my journey began. About 18 months later I received a call from Geoffrey Buttle, the then Headmaster saying that he had put my name forward to the Board as a possible new governor, and I joined the Board in December 1995, becoming Chair in December 2001.

As I approach the end of my term as Chair of Governors in December 2022, a position I have been extremely honoured to hold, I reflect on my own involvement with the College over the last 34 years. I am extremely proud to look back and realise what has been achieved during that time and the position Churcher’s finds itself in today.

During this very significant and special anniversary year, I urge you to join with me in making a gift or leaving a legacy in your will to ensure that we can continue to grow what our benefactor started all those years ago.

Michael Gallagher Chairman of Governors 1722 Society

3 The Richard Churcher Foundation

The Richard Churcher Foundation The Richard Churcher Foundation was set up to provide bursary awards to families whose children would otherwise be unable to benefit from a Churcher’s education.

An invitation to support We want to encourage diversity in the School. We want to broaden access which benefits everyone. We want to do more.

In our 300th year, we would like to invite our community to support our efforts by making a gift to the Richard Churcher Foundation.

Continuing what Richard Churcher started 300 years ago

This is a long-term proposition and part of the DNA of the School. The tercentenary is just one, albeit unique, event on a journey where we can reflect and recognise the contribution of our past benefactor and hopefully inspire others to help us continue what he started 300 years ago.

Every penny we receive will go directly towards the provision of bursaries.

5 The Richard Churcher Foundation

Richard Churcher’s gift of £3,000 in 1722 equates to approximately £700,000 in today’s money, equivalent to what the School provided in bursary awards in 2021.

How are we currently helping?

At present, the families of over 50 children are supported through bursary awards from the School. Half of these families receive a bursary between 50% to 100% of the annual fees.

In 2020/2021 we spent over £700,000 which equates to over 4% of the School’s net income.

During the pandemic, the School allocated a separate emergency fund to support families struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Income towards the Richard Churcher Foundation is generated from the School and philanthropic support from our community. The School’s contribution comes from investments, through commercial activity such as the Swim School and includes other income such as registration fees.

How does it work?

The Richard Churcher Foundation is a restricted fund within the school accounts.

Over time, we have built this up to a level exceeding £1 million, which we grow every year, with the income from the fund supporting bursary awards.

Bursary awards are open to all, whether an existing student or an applicant and are made following a robust, confidential and means-tested process.

A Bursary Review Committee assesses all applications and meet regularly to make awards and monitor progress.

What do we want to do?

We want to contribute over 5% of the School’s net income towards bursary provision. We would like to increase philanthropic support from our community.

7 The Richard Churcher Foundation

Stories from our community “The College is always moving forward­—I feel that Churcher’s is particularly successful in blending respect for its heritage with a focus on the future.”

A sense of home “Churcher’s gave me a sense of home as well as a rounded education. I feel fortunate to have made long-lasting friendships, to have had unwavering support (as well as the occasional nudge!) from the staff and even beyond my school years to have benefited from the Churcher’s network in growing my career.

From strength to strength “When I arrived at Churcher’s College in 1979, I was immediately impressed by the friendly atmosphere. Besides teaching Mathematics, I got to help out with rugby, took charge of cross country and served as an officer in the C.C.F. I have since watched the School go from strength to strength over the years.

The College is always moving forward - I feel that Churcher’s is particularly successful in blending respect for its heritage with a focus on the future.”

My wife, Jenny, and I believe all children, whatever their background, deserve the best possible education such as that provided by Churcher’s College.

Layla Coe (10) Foundationer

For this reason, we have both decided to leave legacy gifts to the Richard Churcher Foundation.”

Bob Broadhead Former staff Foundation supporter

A school that steps up “The Foundation greatly helped me to get back on my feet when I had some pretty tough family stuff going on. At the time I was really not thinking too much about my studies or my options for the future, but Churcher’s, and in particular a few members of staff, really stepped up to support me both financially and pastorally.

I’m not sure every teacher in every school would be paying so much attention as they were with me at the time. And certainly I would have been forced to move schools if not for the generosity of the Foundation and those running it. Had I moved away from Churcher’s at that time I would not be where I am now.”

Jack Rickards (12) Foundationer

A worthy cause “Having lived in Petersfield for over 40 years, I have seen Churcher’s ‘grow’ in many aspects. I was always interested in the College’s activities having known quite a lot of pupils and staff over the years. My brother and father had also been pupils.

When Bob (my brother) died tragically in an accident, a donation to Churcher’s seemed very appropriate as Bob had spent all his senior school days at the College. I did not know at this time of the Richard Churcher Foundation, but it seemed such a worthy cause, and it is.”

Sarah Shadbolt Local community Foundation supporter

9 The Richard Churcher Foundation

Supporting those less fortunate “Churcher’s has done a brilliant job through the pandemic and we recognise that our children are very lucky to be there at this time. Through our support to the Richard Churcher Foundation, we feel we can help others in a less fortunate position benefit from a similar environment.”

Current parents Foundation supporters

Incredible opportunities “The Richard Churcher Foundation has enabled my child to have the most incredible opportunities through his school years. The possibilities are now endless for him and we couldn’t be more grateful.”

Current parent to a Foundationer

A great start “I benefited from a great start at Churcher’s.

Supporting the Foundation bursary scheme will, I hope, give someone else an equally good start and allow them to make the most of the opportunities it brings. Likewise, offering what advice I can to students interested in a career in law will allow them a better understanding of the reality and give them the confidence to make wellinformed choices. Everyone should do it.”

Robert Thomas (86) Foundation supporter

11 The Richard Churcher Foundation

How you can support There are a number of ways in which you can support the Richard Churcher Foundation.

How...

Ideas...

Cash gift

A one-off single gift or a regular gift over a period of time.

£300 for 300 years. £17.22 / month for three years.

Fundraise

Set yourself or your group a challenge.

Raise £3,000 to match Richard Churcher’s original gift.

Pledge a legacy

Leave a bequest in your will.

If you feel you cannot donate financially at this time.

Make a gift to Churcher’s Complete a gift form and send back to the Development Office in a FREEPOST envelope.

Contact the Development Office at foundation@churcherscollege.com or by calling 01730 236 833.

Scan the QR code or visit: Community.ChurchersCollege.com /SupportUs

Impact • A full bursary for one pupil’s education for one year is equivalent to 70 people giving £17.22 per month for one year.

• A full bursary for one Sixth Former’s education is equivalent to 50 people giving £50 per month for one year.

• A full bursary for one pupil’s education through the Senior School is equivalent to 30 people giving £100 per month for three years.

13 The Richard Churcher Foundation

Every gift to Churcher’s is valued

Recognising your gift To thank you for your support during this special tercentenary year, we have a range of unique opportunities to recognise those who make a cash gift or raise funds for the Richard Churcher Foundation.

Gift

Option

Details

£150+

Name a seat in the new Music School.

140 available.

£300+

Engraved stone in the new Tercentenary Path (size A).

30cms x 15cms.

£1,000+

Engraved stone in the new Tercentenary Path (size B).

30cms x 30cms.

£3,000+

Engraved stone in the new Tercentenary Path (size C).

60cms x 30cms.

£10,000+

Name a practice room in the new Music School.

15 available.

£25,000+

Sponsor a pupil through their Churcher’s journey.

Contact the Development Office to discuss.

The Richard Churcher Foundation 14

1722 Society Recognising those who make a significant contribution to the Richard Churcher Foundation, all donors who make a cash gift or pledge a legacy of £5,000 or more will become members of the 1722 Society and be recognised on a separate commemorative plaque.

For more information about recognition opportunities, please scan the QR code or visit: Community.ChurchersCollege.com /SupportUs

Thank you Thank you for any support you are able to give.

If you have any questions about making a gift to the Richard Churcher Foundation, please contact the Development Office at foundation@churcherscollege.com or by calling 01730 236 833.

Community.ChurchersCollege.com @ChurchersAlumni

Churcher’s College, a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with company number 10813349 and registered charity number 1173833.