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DOWNSIDE Development Annual Report 2023

FROM THE HEAD

One of the most enjoyable aspects of my role as Head is welcoming visitors to the School, whether they are familiar with Downside or coming here for the first time. Those previously unacquainted with Downside are invariably struck by the magnificence of the buildings on their arrival. It is easy to become accustomed to one’s surroundings and take them for granted but I am regularly reminded what aAs privilege it istake to live work intheir such to the Monks timeand to discern future, it has a beautiful place when viewing it anew acted. been our responsibility to renew and reassert our the eyes those taking it in for school ched through commitment to beofa Catholic and Benedictine the time. h withfirst Christ at its centre. It was both humbling and

ead

g to with

encouraging to receive a letter of appreciation from a

with was her

gratitude must be expressed to our whole community

parent Prize Day. I feel it encapsulates what makes But thatafter privilege of belonging to our school distinctive and stretches continues to Downside’s community farattract families o from across the globe to educate their children in beyond the buildings and the beauty of pain partnership with us. I quote a small section: ‘I applaud our surroundings. Visitors consistently ny how firmly and unapologetically you and your colleagues remark on the genuine warmth placed devotion, prayer and serviceand at the heart of openness they find in those they meet As we what you were celebrating. In my view this is radical and the purposeful culture which derives ry’s and essential: nothing less will guide and nourish us as from relationships ep we allthe facepositive the tumult of the worldwhich today.are This is what or my son needs formed here. to hear as he grows.’ My thanks and

for continuingstability to support thefoundation School so generously and Benedictine is the in so many ways, particularly during this significant time on which our community is built and of change for Downside. Our inaugural Giving Day was we are enormously grateful for the testament to the breadth and diversity of those who support we receive from Old Gregorians, make up our community; pupils, parents, past parents, past parents, current parents and allsupport of our he Old Gregorians and friends alike, all in who donate so generously to make it grateful for 9, areas of greatest need. We are enormously possible foryou us to develop our facilities the impact continue to make on the lives of so many n children and their thank you.places and buildings and families, who help fund ment for pupils whose families would not We remainbe firm in our commitment to St. Benedict’s otherwise able to afford for them nd instruction to seek stability through a life centred on to attend Downside. Our School is he Christ. In this way, like Queen Elizabeth, we will not have enormously enriched because of your m to fear change but can embrace it and grow as a result. generosity and we thank you for your o As St. John Henry Newman reminds us, ‘to live is to continued support. hange. change and to be perfect is to have changed often’.

n the build

// 1

FUNDRAISING IMPACT 2022-23 Equipment and Facilities £274,000

Unrestricted Annual Fund

• Full Piano Fleet • Resurfacing of sports courts • 80th Air Crash Memorial Cherry Tree

£11,376

• Cricket Facilities • Science Equipment

Total Raised

£958,352

DID YOU KNOW One in three pupils receive means-tested bursary support. Half of these receive more than a 50% bursary.

Father Laurence Bursary Fund £672,975 The School invested over £1.7 million in bursaries, with special thanks to your generous donations, which contributed to offering the gift of education.

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SOURCE OF DONATIONS Current Parent

10%

Past Parent

13%

Trust & Foundation

72%

Old Gregorian

AT E D G I

Nearly £10,000 raised for the Class of 2023 Bursary Fund Additional £50,000 recieved through

810

851

220

OG School Visits

Pupils Supported Help the Homeless Weekly Soup Run

People Participated in Events

Partnership School Pupils Attended Enrichment Days

Hours of OG Career Support

Volunteer Hours Through Teacher Outreach

COMMUNITY IMPACT

// 3

THE DIFFERENCE Downside has been much more than just a school to me and my children. It has been a home, which has both supported them when they have needed it and has encouraged them to thrive as individuals. When I first considered the possibility of my children applying to an independent school, I looked around multiple options in the area. However, after spending more time on tours and taster days, Downside was the clear choice. Their wraparound pastoral care was evident to me and reflected in my children’s experiences when attending Scholarship Days. It was not only the staff that were warm and welcoming, but the pupils themselves too. With six children, I knew it would be an extensive commitment to make the transition into independent education. Now with five years’ experience of life at Downside, I have watched them take on many opportunities, stretching themselves academically, excelling physically on the sports pitch, throwing themselves into the outdoor CCF activities and even courageously performing on the stage. Their sense of care for the wider community and charity work has also filled me with immense pride. I cannot underestimate or fully articulate the gratitude I have for the role that Downside has and continues to play in developing my children into well rounded, motivated, and inclusive young adults, developing values that they

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will take into adulthood and giving them a strong foundation for university and beyond.

This has only been possible through the incredibly generous Bursary Fund and Scholarship opportunities available. Between them, my children hold academic, sport and drama scholarships, which they worked incredibly hard to achieve, alongside their bursaries, which truly make the financial difference that enables them access to all on offer at Downside. There are many moments which have left me feeling privileged and proud that my children are able to attend the School. From watching Harry represent Downside at the national Cross Country Championships, seeing Lily lead a School CCF Parade for Remembrance Sunday and take a leading role in a musical production to seeing Oli, score a try in a recent rugby festival. It wasn’t just the fantastic wins I witnessed, but more that my son and his team were like a family. This year is particularly special as my daughter Bea, now in the Upper Sixth, who has taken every opportunity to develop herself during her time at Downside, has achieved the privileged role of Head

of School, leaving me with no words that can truly express my thanks to all who support the School and make this a possibilities for families like ours. Stretching beyond our children, the welcome and inclusion of parents at Downside is remarkable, and every week I look forward to meeting with them as we watch performances on the stage or battling on a sports pitch. Equally, the daily conversations I have with the children who are excitedly organising a charity event or House celebration shows me how much they are really enjoying Downside. Moving to Downside has been pivotal for my family; Lily, Bea, Harry and Oli have already enjoyed experiences at the School and Arthur and Jasper are so excited to be part of the Downside family in the future. Thank you from all of us.

Lisa Garrett

YOU MAKE... MUSICAL ENHANCEMENTS AND SCHOLARS

19 Music Scholars 333 funded music lessons

23 different instruments played 49 members across all choirs

All pupils within the School have benefited hugely by the newly donated piano fleet.

ROSE ENRICHMENT FUND

Bursary recipients often need more than just fee support to ensure access to the wide activities on offer at Downside. The Rose Enrichment Fund provides funding for educational trips and activities to pupils who would otherwise, miss out on these opportunities. // 5

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE... 6 \\

It is only through your support that all of this has been possible.

With thanks to a newly donated telescope, the Science Department has initiated a new Astronomy Club for all to enjoy. Our 45 Academic Scholars are particularly pleased.

DID YOU KNOW

Our first Sill Organ Scholar joined us in September with thanks to a donor for providing this new opportunity. Each year two organ scholars will receive a fully funded place at Downside.

We are a family of six living abroad and we knew we’d never be able to send the children to the UK to study although they hoped to go to a UK university. The Downside Bursary Fund was the best thing that has happened to our family. In the middle of lockdown 2020 due to Covid-19, things were looking bleak, and schooling had been stopped already for six months. GCSE’s and A levels were coming up and there was suddenly no school and not much motivation from three teenagers. We couldn’t afford a good private education for four children at once but we were desperate for them to succeed, get their A levels and use the English they had learnt from me. My sons were keen rugby players and had seen on Instagram scholarships for rugby players at Downside and had begged me to please, please, apply on their behalf! I didn’t hold out much hope as it looked like such an impressive school and what’s more, also Catholic, which we are too. However, we were so lucky and feel very blessed as the bursary we received enabled the children to get a fantastic start in life not only spiritually and with an amazing education, but with the whole new confidence in life they found in Downside and the realisation that everybody believed in them too. They suddenly had a chance to excel academically, join all the sports teams they wished and meet people from all different walks of life who they would never have met otherwise. Three of the children are now Old Gregorians and one is still in the School.

They often say it feels like it was a dream come true! Current Parent

All tennis and netball courts were resurfaced during the summer, ready for the arrival of pupils for this academic year

Thanks to the

Downside Wanderers

for their cricket donation this year, further improving our facilities.

10% of our 43

Sports Scholars receive funding from OGs. // 7

When we first drove up through the grounds of Downside School, I knew I needed to go there. I have been very lucky to receive financial help with my school education to attend Downside this year. My mother phoned up and began the admissions process after seeing how much I wanted to go to Downside and decided she was going to make this dream of mine happen. We applied for a bursary and knew we would figure out a way to make my dream of attending Downside School happen, no matter what. After making our way through the admissions process, doing the entrance exam, having an interview, etc., I was awarded a bursary and a place at the School for September 2023. My mum and I were overjoyed with the news. My mum has been working so hard to provide for me, and I am forever grateful to her. Once I complete my education at Downside, my wish is to go to university. I know that receiving the Downside School education will truly help me with that. I am already very happy at Downside, even after just a short time. I’ve made friends from all over the world and get to do a variety of activities that are wonderful. I particularly enjoy the music lessons which are interactive and fun. I am preparing and looking forward to doing A levels next year and have found the teachers to be extremely helpful and encouraging. None of this would be possible for me without the wonderful people who donate towards the Bursary Fund. You’ve all changed my life, and I’m so happy and grateful to all of you and my mother for making this opportunity possible.

Current Pupil

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WHY I GIVE… AND WHAT DELAYED MY GIVING! This is a relatively simple question and the answer to the first part is simple. I certainly feel a deep obligation to Downside, and I believe most OGs would feel the same way. Clearly the best way to give back is of course, to make some financial contribution to the School, catholic education, and to support other deserving boys and girls wanting an education at Downside. The answer to the second part is more complicated. The IICSA Report, and the separation of the School from the Monastery, made very depressing reading, and persuaded me from giving until such time as there was a clear separation and particularly, clarity on financial and budgetary issues. Now that the monks have departed, I believe there is a clear case for OGs to reflect and to support the School

financially to ensure its vision and purpose for many years to come. I have visited Downside three or four times during the last six years and have been greatly impressed by the general standards, coeducation, and management over what has been a difficult period. Not to mention the impact Covid-19 will have had on businesses such as Downside. Clearly, any giving will depend on existing commitment and responsibilities held by OGs, but I would recommend getting involved if you can: regular monthly or quarterly donations through the 1814 Society (however small); one time donations; or legacy donations through your wills via the Petre Society. Further details are available from Jessica Newman, Director of Development on 01761 235194. Best wishes to all, and I hope this clarifies any funding support issues that may prevent you from helping, as it initially did with me. Richard Rimmer (C62)

// 9

THE PETRE SOCIETY The receipt of a legacy donation is a moment of profound significance, made even more poignant by the knowledge that it originates from the loss of a loved one. When we reflect on legacy donations, we understand that family and friends should always come first in your considerations. That’s why any contribution, such as the ones we’ve been fortunate to receive this year, carries an extra layer of meaning. While it may not always be feasible to make substantial donations during one’s lifetime, leaving a donation in your Will offers a chance for your legacy to endure indefinitely. Apart from the invaluable gift of education, there are also tax benefits associated with leaving a legacy gift to a registered charity like Downside School (Charity Number: 1184700). This can

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not only ease the financial burden on your family but also maximize the impact of your gift to the School. Your commitment to Downside School holds immense significance and is a privilege for us to uphold your enduring wishes. This is why we eagerly welcome Members of the Petre Society to Downside each year, to express our gratitude and to acknowledge their extraordinary generosity. If you would like to find out more about becoming a Member of the Petre Society, please contact Jessica Newman, Director of Development on 01761 235194 or jnewman@ downside.co.uk for more information.

An example for a UK testator with an estate of £500,000:

TAX LIABILITY

WITH 10% CHARITABLE REQUEST

GROSS ESTATE

£500,000

LESS NIL RATE BAND

(£325,000)

NET ESTATE

£175,000

NIL

£17,500

TAXABLE ESTATE

£175,000 @40%

£157,500 @36%

INHERITANCE TAX

£70,000

£56,700

ESTATE AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION

£430,000

£425,800

CHARITABLE DONATION

DID YOU KNOW A legacy gift of 10% of your estate is not only exempt, but it also reduces the tax liability on your whole estate from 40% to 36%.

// 11

PETRE SOCIETY MEMBERS Charles Atchley Stanley Ball David Barnett Eddy Body Patrick Branigan Sandy Brown Michael Callender John Carter Robert Cattell Augustine Clark David Clark Tim Coghlan Michael FitzGerald Sean Fox-Slater Robert Gibbons Susie Gore Anthony Greenwood Christopher Grievson William Griffiths Edward Hallinan

B58 R58 C55 R58 B58 C56 C63 S62 S68 U65 S54 R71 B54 U79 Ra62 S71 R55

George Harby Mr & Mrs Harwood Mark Heath Tom Heath Sean Hughes John Jackson Oliver Jefferson Ian Jessiman Edwin Kemp Michael Kennedy Mervyn Langran David Lawrence Michael Leeming Fiona Ludlow John Ludlow Nicholas Mander James Midwood Ian Norrington John Nye Cecilia Orchard

R58 R62 R68 S59 R61 R72 R49 R63 S55 B49 R54 C74 C82 S67 C47 B54

Rupert Orchard Martin Powys-Lybbe Edward Pryce Richard Rimmer John Scanlan Nigel Sill Kevin Smyth Mark Steed Michael Stokes Christopher Tanfield Chris von Patzelt John Webb Daphne Westlake Michael Weston-Burt Charles Wilcox Elizabeth Williams Peter Wilson Peter Wright

We are once again humbled by the generosity afforded to us at Downside through the ongoing financial support, resulting in over £958,000 raised in donations, which is incredible. This showcases not only the exceptional level of loyalty from our Old Gregorians, both current and former parents, as well as friends of Downside, but also the faith in our future. Special thanks must go to St Gregory’s Society and the Downside Association for their continued support of the Bursary Fund and their valuable input throughout the year. We are deeply grateful for the gifts received, however small or large. Some gifts have been for specific projects or dedicated to scholarships and bursaries. All support makes a magnificent and real difference to life at Downside.

Thank you to each and every one of you.

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R74 B57 S57 C62 S54 S65 U67 C71 B54 S66 U60 R59 S81 B59 C53

MANY THANKS Leslie Addington (RIP)

B41

Hans Fleischner (RIP)

C45

Ian Norrington

B54

Charles Atchley

B58

Guy Fulton

C88

Rupert Orchard

R74

Archie Ayrton-Grime

S12

Elias Galy

S81

Michael Paine (RIP)

S58

Charles Baudron

S13

Susie Gore

Ben Parker

R03

Oliver Pawle

U68

Jonathan Bayntun-Coward

Jonathan Grew

C77

Ken Beedle

R73

Francis Hobbs

Christoper Pike

Greg Bell

B91

Martin Holden

Mary Jane Platt

Ra76 S60

Christina Bergamasco Michael Bernard

HonOG

John Bone

R55

Mark Budd

Nick Holmes

S89

Anthony Pontifex

Paul Johnston

R71

Ingrid Quaife

Christopher Jones-Parry

B46

Niall Quinn

Ra67

Joe Keohane

David Quinn

B55

Mark Radcliffe

S56

Jan Buhagiar

B58

Rebecca Keyte

David Burnand

R58

Joseph Krause

U73

Graham Reid

Ra67

Peter Byrne

C64

James Leeper

C76

Richard Rimmer

C62

Hugh Carter

B99

Didier Lombard

John Churchill

B84

John Ludlow

C82

John Scanlan

S54

Martin Lueck

C78

David Sheridan

C81

Benedict MacDonald

C95

Sir Harold Hood’s Trust

Julien Clapperton Bernard Clark

Ra59

Graham Colbourne

Alison Rothwell

Jaime Manso Torres

Matt Cross

B03

Javier Marquina

Denis Cross

B55

Mark Matthews

Mary Daley

Oliver Mellotte

Downside Association

Edward Melotte

Ruth Evans

Richard Michell

St Gregory’s Society S92

Andrea Standivan Tanya Stanford

S05

Matthew Symes

R75

John Tackaberry

S58

C63

Christopher Thomas

Ra63 R02

Meyrick Ferguson

B93

Jock Miller

R69

John Tully

James Ferrer

R96

John Morgan

C90

Sophie Webster

Matt Fitzgerald

B91

Mrs Nardecchia (RIP)

Charles Fitzgerald - Lombard

S59

Dariusz Nehrebecki Marek Nieduzak

Leslie Fleischner

Richard Wheeler

S96

C04

Philip Woollam

U67

B00

Po Hung Yuen

Thank you also to the many anonymous donors and Petre Society Members in addition to those listed above. // 13

FROM THE CHAIR OF GOVERNORS The last few years have been a testing time across our School community and yet we have so much to be grateful for. We have aligned our Benedictine purpose, values and principles and delivered an extraordinarily rich school environment for our pupils which yields confident and talented leaders for all walks of life around the world, so often in service of others. Thank you to everyone who generously supports our School. During the Covid impacted years we chose to put the needs of our pupils ahead of all other priorities but as we slowly recover, we must also focus on improving the School facilities. This year there are two main developments to mention, the first addresses our historic founding Houses which, whilst splendid, are showing signs of wear. Work has already begun and over the next year there will be several small but important improvements made to each of them to bring them up to a standard that we can be proud

of. The second development is the opportunity to reimagine our Sixth Form experience, incorporating a new Sixth Form Centre in what was previously the Monastic Refectory. We want to take the pupils on the development journey with us so that they can shape the design and experience that will enable them to thrive and enjoy their final years at Downside. We hope that these projects will attract and retain more pupils, both boarding and day+ to the Sixth Form. This will help us to generate surplus funds to reinvest in the School and continue our bursary support to those that need it.

If you are able, please give generously to enable these works and others.

John Ludlow

We must look to the future and travel in hope, with a strong sense of purpose, constantly driving transformation towards our vision and building resilience against the perils of the world. 14 \\

W t 1

In 2022 we launched the 1814 Society.

A t t t g

We are so grateful to all who have already begun their journey as Members of the Society, which begins at just £18.14 per month, honouring our foundations in Stratton-on-the-Fosse. This important philanthropic group supports the School in its mission to provide a Downside education to talented pupils, whose potential is far greater than their financial means.

The Society provides an accessible w changing the lives of young children. A Downside, we must build upon the f the Great in Somerset, 1814, whilst c

Membership of the Society b

For the cost of just one coffee per w FOR THE COST OF ONE COFFEE on the stage of the Fleischner Theat Abbey Church in song with the Scho PER WEEK YOUR SUPPORT Imagine the impact you could make COULD HELP A CHILD FUFIL that your monthly donation facilitat THEIR FULL POTENTIAL

POWER

IN NUMBERS

140 £18.14 ONE people donating

Why I Give The Society provides an accessible way to support the Father Laurence Bursary Fund, changing the lives of young children. As we transition through a pivotal moment My father James Grew for Downside, we must build upon the foundations laid from you”. With the fi by the Community of St Gregory the Great in Somerset, today’s modern world 1814, whilst creating a brighter future for our pupils. financially support the would benefit from a D current fees or need help t

per month for

year would sponsor

Next steps....become an 1814 Member

Jonny

To begin your membership today, 8/ scan the QR code or visit https://bit.ly/1814Society

FULL BURSARY // 15

THE HOUSE APPEAL: FOR A LIFE FULLY LIVED

BARLOW

Which House will reach their target first?

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OUR TARGET

IS TO RAISE

£15,000

PER HOUSE ISABELLA

With some of the founding Houses now over 110 years old, we are excited to launch an appeal to renew and restore the place our pupils call home.

Pupils from each House have expressed their vision for enhancing their social and living spaces, which will truly make a difference to their day-to-day life, whilst upgrading communal areas, such as common rooms and open-plan kitchen facilities.

CAVEREL

We are extremely blessed at Downside to have such an expansive historical estate that encompasses accommodations for all our boarders, a center for educating our pupils, and notably, places for worship in the magnificent Abbey Church and Old Chapel.

We are grateful to St Gregory’s Society who intend to make a special grant to the School, providing an initial contribution to kick-start these projects. We hope you will join St Gregory’s Society and us as we look to the future of our Houses by supporting this appeal. Get involved now.

The Houses have shared their ideas in a short video, which can be viewed by scanning the QR code or visit www.downside.co.uk/the-house-appeal/

DID YOU KNOW Smythe celebrates its 100th year anniversary since its foundation in 1923

FIND OUT MORE

SMYTHE

POWELL

ROBERTS

All support, big or small, will ensure the realisation of these projects.

// 17

VISIONS FOR THE FUTURE 18 \\

Sixth Form Centre We are excited to share the news about our new Sixth Form Centre, which is well underway, opening in 2024. This unique and beautiful space will provide Sixth Form pupils with a dedicated study and social area, whilst surrounded by the beautiful and historic grounds, which look out onto the Abbey gardens. We believe that this new space will be both enriching and transformational for our pupils granting them even more opportunities to flourish and challenge themselves with all that Downside has to offer.

THE GIFT OF EDUCATION To celebrate the new centre, we aim to offer six scholarships to inspiring pupils who may not have the means to afford this opportunity otherwise. These scholarships will not only transform individual lives but also empower our entire community by fostering diversity, inclusivity, and excellence. We cannot bring this ambition to life without your help and encourage anyone who feels able to support the launch of the new Sixth Form Centre, to join us in offering the gift of education.

If 10 people donated £6,500 with Gift Aid

One Fully-Funded Sixth Form place

£81,250

If 50 people

donated £1,300 with Gift Aid

OTHER PROJECTS Each year, additional funds are generously provided for smaller projects within the School, such as the renewed piano fleet, an interactive periodic table, new sailing boats for the CCF, new deck chairs for spectators or the giant outdoor chess set to name a few. Here are some of the projects currently on the wish-list.

PROJECT

ESTIMATED COST

Scoreboards for Junior Rugby

£1,000

Choir Robes

£2,500

Mountain Bike Trailer

£3,000

Indoor Shooting Equipment

£12,000

Fitness Suite Refurbishment

£15,000

All Weather Cricket Nets

£48,000

If you’d like to support any of these projects, please contact the Downside Development Office // 19

BANK TRANSFER Downside School Development Account Sort Code: 20-47-06 Account Number: 00626031

TO D ON

E AT

• SC

N E • SCA

01761 235194

DIRECT DEBIT Monthly, Quarterly or Annual donations allow us to plan for the future. Visit www.downside.co.uk/ supporting-us/make-a-donation/ or scan the QR code

TO DON

INTERNATIONAL To discuss the best tax-efficient option, such as the BSUF or Charities Trust, please contact the Development Office. Or CLICK HERE

ONLINE (Credit or Debit Card) Visit www.downside.co.uk/ supporting-us/make-a-donation/ or scan the QR code

SUPPORTING

DOWNSIDE

LEGACIES To become or discuss becoming a Member of the Petre Society, please contact the Development Office.

CHEQUE Downside School Development Account to: Downside Development Office, Stratton-on-the-Fosse BA3 4RJ

development@downside.co.uk

Downside Development Office Downisde School Stratton-on-the-Fosse BA3 4RJ

www.downside.co.uk/supporting-us/

Registered Charity number: 1184700

DOWNSIDE Downside School Trust – Registered Charity No: 1184700 Downside Abbey General Trust – Registered Charity No: 1158507 Downside, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, BA3 4RJ Tel 01761 235158 Email development@downside.co.uk