THE WATT MEMORIAL TRUST

The Watt Memorial Trust was set up in 1983 in memory of Old Fettesian Rob Watt (SH 1911–1916) and his wife Barbara. Rob had had an outstanding career: Head of School, XV, Oxford scholar, double first in Mods and History. He became a brilliant teacher of history (with classics and maths when needed), a wise and compassionate Housemaster at Rugby and Rector of Edinburgh Academy. He was always devoted to Fettes, where he had been very happy, and when he returned in 1967, he identified himself very much with the school.

As Fettes College and Edinburgh Academy were both very close to Rob’s heart, the Watt Memorial Trust was set up in his and his wife’s name with the aim of giving financial assistance to past and present members of both schools. The awarded grant enables recipients to “advance their education or professional training beyond the point at which public funds or university scholarships are available, or when private or family sources alone are not quite adequate for the purpose.” There have been many Old Fettesians and Academicals who have benefitted from the Trust. We spoke to a few recent OF recipients:

Charlie Bell (CW 1990–1994)

I received an award from the Watt Memorial Trust in 2012, in order to help jumpstart my career as a behaviour analyst in the US. Without the scholarship, I would not have been able to pursue my training towards my credential and I am forever grateful to the Watt Memorial Trust for supporting me years after I left school.

Since I completed my credential I have lived and worked internationally as a behaviour analyst, working with children with autism. I now own 2020 Behavior, an agency which supports children with autism and their families across three states.

I am eternally grateful for this help early on in my career.

Elaine Mitchell (née Muir) (Ar 1996–1998)

The Watt Memorial Trust enabled me to go back to fulltime education to complete an MSc at the University of Edinburgh. This set me on the pathway to become an academic and I now hold a position as a Lecturer and Researcher in Climate Science at Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane. I will always be grateful for this support!

Ciara Harvey (CW 2000–2005)

The award allowed me to purchase medical books for my medical degree, and it also supported me with a medical elective experience in New Zealand. Both were invaluable to my training as a doctor and I would not have been able to afford this without the support of the Watt Memorial Trust.

How To Apply

Deadlines are 1st September and 1st February each year. All enquiries to the Secretary:

Anna Bennett

The WS Society

The Signet Library

Parliament Square EDINBURGH

EH1 1RF abennett@wssociety.co.uk