THE MILTON ABBEY FUND 2015 / 2016
With growing numbers, we are also aiming to increase the number of pupils who can benefit from bursarial support to ensure our unique educational offer is available to help boys and girls who would not otherwise be able to access a Milton Abbey education. We have recently published our new 2020 Vision*, which outlines our aims for the next five years and highlights the areas that we will be seeking to continue to build on and improve. To support these plans we are now launching the Milton Abbey Fund to underpin the Vision and ensure we can push forward with these important initiatives. I very much hope you will feel able to support our Vision through the Milton Abbey Fund and for those of you who are willing to invest in the future of Milton Abbey in this way, I extend my heartfelt thanks.
Magnus Bashaarat Headmaster
*The 2020 Vision can be found on the School website or you can request a copy of the document via development@miltonabbey.co.uk
Since my arrival at Milton Abbey, I have been proud to oversee the School blossoming into a fully co-educational community that received an ‘Excellent’ rating in our recent Independent Schools Inspection. Our pastoral care is recognised as being outstanding and alongside traditional A Levels we now offer the broadest range of vocational studies courses at BTEC Diploma and Extended Diploma level in the whole independent schools sector. Pupil numbers are increasing each year and we are striving to upgrade our facilities and amenities to support our thriving community.
THE MILTON ABBEY FUND While unique in our educational offering, Milton Abbey is still a relatively young school without the valuable financial support of a significant endowment or legacy. Our annual operating budget is at a similar level to our income, which leaves little room for new investment in current projects or future plans. To enable the School to grow and develop in line with the 2020 Vision we have therefore established the Milton Abbey Fund, which will help to support the aims of the Vision and provide additional income for investment in the future of the School. The key pillars of the Fund are: •
Bursaries and Scholarships – supporting pupils with the greatest need and ability
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Academic Excellence – ensuring the School excels in the provision of learning and teaching facilities
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Music, Sport and the Arts – supporting activities that enrich the Milton Abbey experience
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Buildings and Conservation – ensuring the historic School site is developed, renovated and maintained for the future
“Milton Abbey gave so much to my son during his years there and I am delighted to support the School into the future so it can build on its outstanding traditions and support the progress and development of individuals.” Oliver Clark, former parent
FUNDING PRIORITIES 2015/16
FUNDING PRIORITIES 2015/16 The launch of the Annual Fund last year led to more than £45,000 being donated to support projects that were of immediate benefit to our pupils. These included the new Kelsey conditioning gym, the Gates Turbo Training Zone, equipment for ICT and the New Barn Theatre (NBT) as well as a number of smaller projects. The Milton Abbey Fund will replace the Annual Fund as the key mechanism for providing this crucial support. The funding priorities for this year include the following projects: Bursaries Reflecting the School’s independent charitable status, we currently allocate around 8% of fee income to provide bursarial support to pupils who would not otherwise be able to afford to attend or whose circumstances merit support to remain at the School. The new Milton Abbey Bursary Programme was launched in 2015 to provide an increase in resources of at least £200,000 per annum to help meet the growing demand for bursarial assistance from both new and current pupils. Academic Excellence • Laser cutter for Design and Technology - £7,500 A laser cutter is a ‘must have’ item for a modern Design and Technology department, allowing pupils to work more safely, quickly and efficiently, and enabling them to produce professional-looking, quality products that are relevant to today’s technologies. •
Arts and crafts tools for Countryside Management - £1,200 Greenwood craft items (including a selection of carving knives, saws and equipment) will be used to deliver the Greenwood Crafts Unit on the Level 3 Countryside Management Diploma.
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Five Apple Mac computers for the Creative Media Suite - £1,750 each Due to the popularity of the new Creative Media course, we need more powerful computers with accompanying design software to enable pupils to work on creative production, animation and game design.
Music, Sport and the Arts • Theatre communication system for the New Barn Theatre - £1,500 This system will enable communication between the stage, the technical box and other technicians during a show, which will help with school productions and visiting shows, and assist pupils in learning how to manage a performance. •
Cricket bowling machine - £2,500 A cricket bowling machine is vital for developing confidence and skill when batting as it allows players to focus on practicing specific shots rather than facing inevitable variable net bowling. This machine gives coaches the opportunity to help the batsman work on any weaknesses.
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Scrum machine for rugby - £5,000 Using a scrum machine allows pupils to learn the complex skills required during a rugby scrum and helps them to develop these in a safe environment. These skills help bring the pack together and ensure that maximum power is generated in this important part of the game.
Buildings and Conservation Alongside the priorities outlined above, our major capital building programme continues, which remains focused on the new Centre for Countryside Management and Equine Studies, and the new Gallery and Art Centre. If you would like any further information on either of these capital projects, please contact the Development Office.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE Through the Milton Abbey Fund every donation, whatever its size, can make a difference to the education of our boys and girls. Making a regular commitment to give, either monthly or annually, is particularly valuable to the School as this provides a steady and predictable stream of income, which allows us to plan for the future and fully support our 2020 Vision. A number of our donors already make regular gifts to the School, which allows them to give generously whilst reducing the impact on their finances by spreading their gift over regular instalments. For example, a monthly gift of £40 over three years, with Gift Aid, would give the School a total donation of £1,800, whilst a monthly gift of £100 over the same period, with Gift Aid, would total £4,500 - both sums illustrate how a regular, cumulative gift can make a significant contribution to the Fund (please see enclosed Gift Table for further examples). Those who support the Milton Abbey Fund will be acknowledged on the Benefactors’ Board in the Queen’s Room and included in our Annual Giving Report in the year(s) of their gift. All donors will be recognised through our stewardship programme and special recognition will be given to mark cumulative years of giving as appropriate.
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE As one of the UK’s most innovative independent boarding and day schools, we need the support of our alumni, current and past parents, Governors and friends to help us ensure Milton Abbey continues to flourish, whilst maintaining its unique spirit and ethos. By supporting the Milton Abbey Fund today you will be contributing to the future quality and security of the School. We invite you to invest in Milton Abbey for the benefit of today’s pupils and future generations.
If you would like further information on any of these projects, please contact the Development Office on 01258 882234 or email development@miltonabbey.co.uk Milton Abbey School | Blandford Forum | Dorset | DT11 0BZ 01258 880484 | www.miltonabbey.co.uk Registered Charity No: 306318