Thank you from the head
After 30 years at Fettes College, something I will miss when I retire in July is the special warmth that the school receives from Old Fettesians, parents, former staff and other friends of Fettes.
It has been a privilege to get to know so many of you, and to see the strength of your enduring connection to Fettes.
Kindness and giving back are two of the values that we try to instil in our students, and we are incredibly lucky that the Fettes community provides a wonderful example of this. Whether you support Fettes by volunteering your time, providing career expertise, or donating to the Fettes Foundation, I want to say a huge thank you. This report features some of the highlights of your generosity and the real difference it makes.
We continue to be so grateful for gifts towards bursaries, which remains a priority for fundraising appeals, and we were blown away by the support for our first ever Giving Day. You can also read more about the exciting completion of the Allardice Centre, funded by a legacy gift.
Thank you again for all of the generous support I have witnessed over the past 7 years as Head of Fettes. Our students benefit so much from being surrounded by a kind and caring community, and the impact of your giving is remarkable.
Floreas Fettesia!
Helen F Harrison Head of Fettes College
Giving Day
Thank you so much to every member of the Fettes community that contributed to the success of our first ever Giving Day in November 2025.
On campus, students got involved in sporting challenges across the College and Prep School, took part in a whole school Strip the Willow, and used immense creativity in House challenges to unlock donations.
We are so grateful to more than 300 donors from across the globe for raising an outstanding total of over £170,000.
Your generosity will make a difference to Fettesians on a daily basis as your gifts are used to refurbish the Old Music Room, upgrade the Prep School playground, and fund areas of greatest need.
We look forward to updating you on the progress of these projects.
300+ donors over £170,000 Raised
SUPPORTING BURSARY STUDENTS
Bursaries remain an important focus of fundraising for the Fettes Foundation. Against a backdrop of external challenges for independent schools and ever-increasing demand for bursary places, the support of donors is vital and hugely appreciated.
Thank you to everyone who has chosen to support bursary students – from those who have responded to our appeals, attended fundraising events and dinners, or who have chosen to give a gift in their will.
You are making a difference to young people like Edward (Mo 2020-2025), a bursary recipient whose story we have previously shared with you.
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I have always been encouraged to grasp the vast number of opportunities this school has to offer and for that I am truly grateful.
Update on Edward (Mo 2020-2025)
In his final year, Edward continued to embrace all that a Fettes education offers – from being Vice Captain of the highly successful Boys’ 1st XI, receiving his Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, and having the memorable opportunity to pipe at Edinburgh Castle and in the New York Tartan Day Parade.
“I have always been encouraged to grasp the vast number of opportunities this school has to offer and for that I am truly grateful.”
Upon leaving Fettes in 2025, Edward successfully achieved his ambition of gaining a place to study Physiotherapy at University of Nottingham, a degree in which he felt Fettes had prepared him for.
“To be a Physio, you must be a people person. I can confidently say when I first joined Fettes I was a shy young teenager who could barely look people in the eye, but I feel that Fettes has made me a confident young man, who holds close the values of kindness, tolerance and hard work.”
Edward’s dedication to hockey at Fettes has also paid off, with him being selected to play for Scotland U21s.
Allardice Centre
At the start of March 2026, we were delighted to open the newest addition to the Fettes campus, the Allardice Centre.
This sector-leading hub for pastoral care is named after Old Fettesian David Allardice (Mo 1978-1984), who made this ambitious building possible after leaving a generous gift in his will to the Fettes Foundation.
The new state-of-the-art centre will provide a home for the facilities previously located in the Medical Centre in the Bryce Building (or ‘San’ as it will be known to some Old Fettesians), along with a central teaching space for the PSE curriculum.
In addition to supporting the physical and mental health of all students, the Centre aims to set new sustainability standards for Fettes, paving the way for low carbon operations across the estate.
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David was determined that his legacy would have a real and lasting impact, and recognised the importance of health and wellbeing. It is wonderful to see that determination take tangible form.
Amanda Forsyth (Ar 1982-1984)
Friend of David Allardice
Global Community
In the USA in 2025, Friends of Fettes College Inc. organised events in Washington and New York, attended by Helen Harrison, Head of Fettes, and Michael Stitt, Director of Development. They were joined by the Fettes College Pipe Band who had a fantastic trip to New York, taking part in the Tartan Day Parade. Following a performance in Bryant Park, the Pipe Band paraded along Sixth Avenue accompanied by members of the Fettes community.
“Marching up Sixth Avenue, the instruments sounding strong and being cheered on by a team of supporters led by our Head, Mrs Harrison, was incredible.”
Trustees chose to raise funds for bursaries at Fettes and the Fettes College Pipe Band, and more than £8000 was donated in 2024-2025. Thank you to those donors and FFC Inc. Board Members.
We remain grateful to the strong global network of Old Fettesians who provide dedicated support to those living, working and travelling in their geographical region. Many thanks to the Old Fettesian Association Committee and Regional Representatives for creating opportunities for the community to get together.
In 2024-2025, events were held in:
Edinburgh
Newcastle
Bath
London
Albi
Lausanne
Kampala
Dubai
Hong
Kong
Bermuda
New
York
Washington
Career Support
The Fettes Career Partnership Programme provides real-world knowledge and insight from parents, Old Fettesians and other volunteers with significant expertise. We are grateful to the Fettes community for the support they provide students and Old Fettesians, especially in their early careers.
More than 100 members of the Fettes community were generously willing to help out with a varied programme in 2024-2025 including:
• Career Insight Events
• Oxbridge Practice Interviews for students from Fettes and other Edinburgh High Schools
• Business Networking
• Meet the Experts at the Higher Education & Career Expo, for hundreds of students from Fettes and Edinburgh High Schools
• Lecture Series - This Will Be Your World: Population, Geopolitics
In addition, many Old Fettesians kindly provided individual advice, mentoring and internships on the Fettes Community portal – fettescommunity.org
The Fettes Foundation
I continue to be so grateful for the magnificent support that the Fettes Foundation receives from parents, Old Fettesians and other members of the community.
Donations to bursaries and other capital projects are instrumental in achieving the ambitions of Fettes and have a direct impact on the experience offered to students.
I am always happy to discuss any ways in which you are thinking of supporting the school. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Michael Stitt Director of Development
mrj.stitt@fettes.com
+44 131 311 6960
We would like to thank the Trustees who give their time and guidance to the Foundation:
• Jeremy Beeton (Ca 1967 - 1971)
• John Lang (Ca 1962 - 1967, Staff 2005–2010)
• Marc Lino
• Barrie Lloyd (Ki 1953-1958)
• Carlos Miranda
• Faye Moffett
• Sarah Murray (Chair)
• Nadeem Sarwar
• Alex Torrens (Ca 2000-2006)
• Natasha Toub
• Eric Young (Ar 1969-1974)
Thank you to Cath Parbrook, who stepped down as a Trustee after 4 years of providing support, expertise and encouragement.
Special thanks to outgoing Chair Eric Young (Ar 19691974) for his huge contribution in this role and beyond at Fettes. Thank you to Sarah Murray who succeeds Eric as Chair.
In December 2024, we were saddened by the death of Alastair Salvesen (Mo 1954-1960). Alastair was an original Trustee of the Fettes Foundation and remained a Trustee until his death. In addition, Alastair was a generous donor, and the Salvesen Art School in the Spens Building bears his family’s name in recognition of this. Fettes was lucky to benefit from Alastair’s advice and support for so many years.
