Development Trust

It is my pleasure to address our community in my second year as your Development Director.

The last few years have been very productive for the Clifton College Development Trust (CCDT). Despite nearly two years of Covid, which limited traditional fundraising methods, we are now able to revert to meetings in person, which is much preferable.

Bursaries for qualified meanstested pupils remain a priority of the College. Over the last two fiscal years, we have raised in excess of £1,000,000 in bursarial funding for parents who simply could not otherwise afford full fees at Clifton. In fact, the need for bursarial funding continues to grow and shows no sign of abating. As such, the CCDT will continue to fundraise for something parents and OCs believe is a charitable priority.

At Clifton we receive many requests for bursaries. All applicants are carefully scrutinised to ensure only those pupils most deserving are chosen and bursaries awarded to those who can demonstrate exceptional talent in a variety of areas, including academics, sports, music, and theatre. Pupils are also selected if they display talents in a combination of disciplines. Bursarial recipients are very important to Clifton, as they enable the school to enhance and broaden our College community.

Over summer 2022, we conducted our first calling programme for a number of years. Twelve recent leavers and Sixth Formers spoke to parents and OCs over a twoweek period. The majority of the charitable funding was attracted towards our bursary scheme, thanks to the CCDT matched gift funding initiative. We wish to thank all those parents and OCs who generously contributed to our calling programme. Regardless of the size of your gift, the combined might of your generosity truly does make a difference.

It gives me great pleasure to report a significant individual gift to the College. Since the publication of last year’s magazine, Clifton has received one of the largest single gifts from a single benefactor in recent independent school history. Mr Lal Chellaram has helped fund the (soon to be constructed) Chellaram Sports Complex and grounds located on Clifton’s Beggar Bush site. Clifton is extremely grateful to Mr Chellaram for his charitable leadership. Our new sports complex will undoubtedly put

Clifton at the forefront of sports provision amongst our peer schools. Clifton already sits in the top tier of independent school sport and this new complex will play an integral part in ensuring the future of Clifton sport. This facility is, however, not just for elite sport: each and every pupil will benefit from this facility, as will the greater Bristol community.

Speaking of tremendous benefaction, I am continually amazed by the generosity of our 1862 Club members, increasingly made up of parents. In the past year, we have received £400,000 from those who have remembered Clifton in their will. The combined might of these gifts is very important to Clifton, and we are eternally grateful.

We are delighted that the Head Master has approved a new donor board, acknowledging members of the 1862 Club who have made such bequests.

Over the past ten years, the Head Master and the CCDT have hosted a number of breakfast events in the Cricket Pavilion, which are open to all parents and local OCs. These events bring together the Clifton community to enjoy a complimentary breakfast, whilst hearing speakers of note discuss a variety of topics. In the last year these talks have included the importance of regular exercise, the STAR scheme (supporting children to build inner strength through sport), counselling psychology, the law online and the art of auctioneering. We hope you will continue to support these Breakfast Club events.

In conclusion, the CCDT Chairman, Simon Brewer, and our trustees wish to thank all those who are currently supporting Clifton charitably. Further, if you are considering a gift, please contact the Development Office so that we can discuss the merits of supporting the College. The College receives no public funding other than the charitable benefaction of our parents and Old Cliftonians, and your support, regardless of its size, is vital in keeping Clifton at the forefront of education in the UK and abroad.

John Rolfe

Development Director, Clifton College Development Trust