The Portico Annual Review 2025

THE PORTICO

ANNUAL REVIEW 2025 CELEBRATING 200 YEARS SINCE THE LAYING OF OUR FOUNDATION STONE

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CONTENTS 3

Welcome from The Head and Director of Development

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Changing Lives Through Inspiring Spaces

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The Bicentenary of Mill Hill as We Know It

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Preserving our Heritage

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A Note from Antony Spencer, CEO

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Preparing Pupils for the Future Through Technology

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Changing Lives Through Bursaries

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Preparing Pupils for the Future Through Careers Support

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From Mill Hill to Professional Cricket: Sophia Dunkley

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Thank You to our Supporters: The Donor Roll

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Kit Nyman-McKnight and Yamin Syed

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Play Your Part

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Changing Lives Through Legacy Giving

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Recognising your Generosity

WELCOME

FROM THE HEAD

Mill Hill has always been a place of vision and resilience.

Since its founding in 1807, the School has weathered its share of challenges and triumphs. Two centuries ago, following a period of remarkable growth, the School’s committee made the bold decision to reimagine Mill Hill entirely, culminating in the construction of our now iconic school building.

I am very conscious of the importance of maintaining the rich diversity of our school community. It is one of Mill Hill’s greatest strengths, and your support plays an increasingly vital role in sustaining it. Today, nearly 5% of our pupils are in receipt of bursaries, with the average award covering 80% of fees. We are ambitious to do more, and with your help, we will.

Today, despite the headwinds we face, including the imposition of VAT on school fees, I am pleased to say that Mill Hill is thriving. This year, our public examination results have reached record highs, and our pupil numbers are stronger than ever. Increasingly we are the school of choice for families in North West London and – through our boarding provision – around the UK and the world.

In the pages that follow, you will see the tangible impact of your generosity. As we mark the bicentenary of the laying of the foundation stone, I look forward to building on the momentum this anniversary brings and to working with you to shape the next chapter of Mill Hill’s story.

But academic success alone is not enough, and the work we have done to improve GCSE and A Level results has not been at the expense of our ‘whole child’ ethos. In the 21st century, young people need more than just good grades, they need confidence and charisma. These are qualities Mill Hill nurtures through its outstanding cocurricular programme, which remains central to our offer.

DAVID BENSON

HEAD, MILL HILL SCHOOL

AND DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Welcome to the 2025 edition of The Portico, Annual Review where we celebrate 200 years since the foundation stone of our iconic school building was laid.

This stone still rests beneath the Dining Hall today and is a powerful symbol of the enduring legacy set in motion by our founders.

In the pages that follow, you’ll discover how these founding principles continue to shape lives, giving young people the opportunity to realise their potential.

At our founding, this meant opening doors to those who might otherwise have been excluded. Today, we remain committed to preserving the heritage and values that have shaped Mill Hill’s identity for two centuries.

This means championing every pupil’s potential and continuing to nurture talent, character, and

ambition. I hope you will join us in realising this vision.

As we reflect on our past to shape our future, we are deeply grateful to all our supporters who make this possible. If you are already part of our community thank you.

If you are considering supporting Mill Hill, please know that every gift, no matter the size, helps to sustain our values and transform lives.

LUCIA HULL

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

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THE BICENTENARY OF MILL HILL AS WE KNOW IT Mill Hill owes its existence to a group of Protestant Dissenters, nonconformists who were excluded from established schools and universities in the early 19th century. In 1807, a committee of ministers and merchants resolved to create a school that was grounded in their principles. Their aim was to provide not only academic excellence, but also an education shaped by moral integrity.

Vision

Mill Hill School’s early success meant that by 1825, it was bursting at the seams. Dormitories housing over 25 boys had been built and despite all the improvements that had been made, the Collinson Mansion, also known as Ridgeway House, was increasingly limiting. A decision was made not just to extend the School, but to transform it.

What began as discussions in Georgian coffeehouses, quickly evolved into an ambitious vision: a purposebuilt school for 120 boarding pupils. William Tite, who had designed the Royal Exchange and the London and Westminster Bank, was appointed architect.

Foundation

On 16 June 1825, our founders gathered on The Ridgeway for a significant occasion: the laying of the foundation stone for the new home of Mill Hill School. The ceremony was conducted with prayer ‘in humble hope of divine favour…’ That stone still lies beneath the Dining Hall today.

By early 1827, the building was completed, constructed from two million bricks, at a total cost of £21,858, equivalent to over £2.6 million today.

Lasting Ideals

From the beginning, Mill Hill School offered rigorous intellectual foundations with moral purpose. That idea has continued ever since, expressed in the School’s motto ‘et virtutem et musas,’ or ‘instilling values, inspiring minds.’

Generations of pupils have encountered different curricula, teachers, and buildings, but all within a framework defined by those same values.

Tite’s drawings for Mill Hill School

Etching of School House, 1851

The Octagon, 1905

Enduring Support

A tradition of generosity has sustained the School across the last two centuries. The initial building was made possible through the contributions of the founding committee and their circle. Today, Old Millhillians, parents, and friends of Mill Hill enable bursary pupils to access to a Mill Hill education and help to create an inspirational educational environment for every pupil.

Legacy

Our bicentenary of laying the foundation stone is a celebration of Mill Hill’s enduring legacy. Mill Hill has always adapted irrespective of changing circumstances, while holding fast to its founding principles.

Pupils outside School House, 1934

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TWO CENTURIES OF PURPOSE Over two hundred years of history can feel like a heavy weight of responsibility when we’ve been given the collective task of seeing a school continue to thrive in challenging circumstances.

However, it’s also a great privilege to look back through the history of Mill Hill School, to stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before as we look to the future.

Running through that period of enormous change have been some golden threads of continuity, of values that mean just as much to us now as they did then.

I’m pretty sure our school ancestors of 200 years ago did not anticipate Mill Hill School sitting at the centre of one of the largest groups of charitable schools in this country.

But they drew on their nonconformist principles to establish a school for those denied fair access to education. They were classically liberal. They lived during a period of rapid social and economic transformation that threw up new opportunities but also

immense dislocation, and their pupils had to be given the education to live in that world.

They believed in timeless values, values that resonate loudly today.

They held values of kindness, of compassion, of shared humanity, the equal value of other members of our community, and a high view of individual potential. Old Millhillians of different generations will have drawn upon those values, and they will have shaped in some way who you are today.

I’m sure you will share my view that they are to be nurtured and made available for future generations.

That includes an aspiration for as many young people as possible to be at our school, regardless of their family circumstances.

Thank you to those who support that noble work and I hope you enjoy reading about some of our pupils who have benefited from that support.

One of my favourite verses in the New Testament concerns a community made of living stones. Yes, we remember here a foundation stone, but the School is made of people; living stones.

My hope is that in 200 years, in a very different world, somebody will be writing a note like this one, looking back with thanks at generations of living stones, and looking forward with hope.

ANTONY SPENCER

CEO, THE MILL HILL EDUCATION GROUP

“My hope is that in 200 years, in a very different world, somebody will be writing a note like this one and looking forward with hope.”

CHANGING LIVES

THROUGH BURSARIES At Mill Hill School, we agree that talent, ambition and potential should never be limited by financial circumstance which is why bursaries are at the very heart of our mission.

Each year, the Foundation forgoes a significant sum in fees to support means-tested bursaries.

Together with the generous support of our donors, we are currently able to offer 45 bursaries, opening doors for bright, motivated young people who would otherwise be unable to access the exceptional education on offer here.

The school community currently in receipt of bursary support comprises of (5% OF THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY)

Our goal is for this to increase to

(10% OF THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY)

MILL HILL SCHOOL IN NUMBERS

In 2024/2025, we raised

£500 £1.5

922

Pupils

60% Boys 40% Girls

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Boarding Houses

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To achieve this goal, each year we need

THOUSAND MILLION

107

Boarders

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Day Houses

Schools in the Foundation

Our long term aim is to grow the Endowment Fund to sustain bursaries in perpetuity.

The Endowment Fund currently stands at

£3.2 MILLION To achieve this we need

£40 MILLION

In 2024-2025 there were

239 DONORS 47 MEMBERS

of the 1807 society

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FROM MILL HILL TO PROFESSIONAL CRICKET

Sophia playing against India at the Oval, July 2025

From making her senior debut aged 14 for Middlesex, to becoming the International Cricket Council’s player of the month in July this year, Sophia has become a trailblazer in her sport. She was 22-years-old when she won her first test cap for England against India in Bristol in June 2021.

Sophia scored an unbeaten 74 from six in the order - the highest score by an England women's test debutant for nearly 35 years.

We spoke to her about her time at Mill Hill where she was the recipient of a bursary award:

I started playing cricket in the street when I was seven years old. I played outside on our cul-de-sac with my neighbour, a boy called Zach, who is also an Old Millhillian. I joined Finchley Cricket Club when I was ten and it was soon after that I started playing for Middlesex.

From there, I progressed through the county and national pathway.

My mum found out about the possibility of going to an independent school on a bursary through a friend of hers who happened to mention it one day. We decided to look at two schools and one of them was Belmont. As soon as we visited, I knew that was where I wanted to go. The whole atmosphere felt right and I could easily imagine being a pupil there. I also wanted to go to a prep school.

I was young in my year group so starting at Belmont then progressing to Mill Hill at Fourth Form was a really good fit.

On the open day, my mum asked Lynn Duncan, the Head at the time, if I would be able to play cricket and football with the boys. Lynn said ‘I don’t see why not’. Even at that early age, I knew I wanted to be a sports person, so Mill Hill and Belmont were ideal for me. There were so

“I’m very lucky to have had the education and experience I had at school and that simply wouldn’t have been possible without a bursary.”

Sophia during the The Hundred Women’s Final match Welsh Fire Women vs London Spirit Women at Lords, London, 2024

Sophia playing for England against India, July 2025

many opportunities to play sport; hockey, netball, cricket and fives. It felt like I would be able to be myself and get involved with lots of different sports I liked, including ones that were far less developed in most girls’ schools. Being in a co-educational school was a real advantage.

The sporting opportunities at Mill Hill were amazing, I played hockey and netball, trained three times a week and felt like I was part of a proper sports team. In cricket, I mainly played with the boys because there weren’t many other female players. Sometimes boys on other school teams would make comments but my teammates at Mill Hill became great friends. They were very supportive.

As I got older, my cricket training took up a huge amount of time, but Mill Hill was incredibly understanding throughout. When I was a pupil at Mill Hill, it wasn’t possible for women to make a career out of cricket and I don’t think there are many schools that would have supported me in the way that Mill Hill did. Dr Morton was my Housemaster in Cedars and he supported me the whole way through.

I am very lucky to have had the education and experience I had at school and that simply wouldn’t have been possible without a bursary. Mill Hill shaped my character and gave me a brilliant education.

The bursary gave me the opportunity to be the best that I could be and I will always be grateful for that.

SOPHIA DUNKLEY

(CEDARS 2011-2016)

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A PLACE TO BELONG I began high school at a state school where the teachers were very dedicated, but my parents wanted my sisters and me to have every possible educational opportunity.

That’s why they decided to explore independent schools which offered bursary places - Mill Hill was one of the schools they were interested in.

They didn’t mention any of this to me until a few weeks before I was invited to an interview at the School – that was the first I’d heard about it!

I arrived for the interview and really didn’t know what to expect. I was really impressed and surprised when I first saw the buildings. The Deputy Head at the time, Alex Frazer,

interviewed me. If you knew him, you’ll know he is quite an imposing man which may have contributed to my impression of the school!

Fortunately, a few weeks after the interview, the offer of a bursary place came through. I was very excited and felt very impatient - I wanted to go straight away.

Looking back, I’m staggered that going to Mill Hill and growing up in that setting is something that I got to experience. It is such a rich environment in all sorts of ways.

Obviously, the grounds are amazing, and the architecture is beautiful but it is also rich in the sense that there is so much to do and to be involved in.

After I started at Mill Hill, I quickly made some great friends and the buildings soon became familiar.

The teachers made a huge effort to help everyone to settle in and feel like they belonged there. My Housemaster, Dan Bingham, made everyone in the House feel so welcome.

I played a lot of music and sport and my overall feeling about my time there is that the teachers really cared about the School and were really dedicated to the pupils. Mill Hill allowed me to explore different parts of myself and my interests and because of it, I’m a much more rounded person.

MY PATH TO MILL HILL My family have always been loving and supportive; my dad is a cook, and my mum stayed at home to look after me and my siblings when we were small. I grew up in a disadvantaged part of North London, although I was never fully aware of the disadvantage as my mum was very protective of me. I rarely went out on my own because of the high rate of crime in the area and although I never really saw the violence, I felt it. By the age of 11, I started to understand the challenges and I knew I wanted something different.

When I was in Year 7, an opportunity arose to get involved with an outreach programme which works with independent schools like Mill Hill. I jumped at it.

I knew that this was a great opportunity, although I had some reservations, particularly about boarding. However, my mentor reassured me that modern day boarding wasn’t like Hogwarts and said I would enjoy the experience.

Life at Mill Hill

I joined Mill Hill in September 2020.

The physical environment and the boarding community helped me to develop as a person, gaining confidence through involvement in a broad academic curriculum, sport, and socially, within my boarding House and across the School.

Boarding life helped to develop my sense of independence and self-reliance which wasn’t possible where I live.

“Looking back, I’m staggered that going to Mill Hill and growing up in that setting is something that I got to experience.”

I now study Computer Science at Nottingham University. An inspirational teacher, Lee Minnett, made the subject come alive for me. After I graduate, I hope to do a post grad in Data Engineering, to travel and eventually to work in data science.

By supporting the bursary scheme, in whatever form that takes, you will enrich the lives of young people and to make this period of their lives as fulfilling and rewarding as mine was. I would like to say thank you to those who supported me, you will always have my deepest, deepest gratitude.

KIT NYMAN- MCKNIGHT

(SCHOOL, 2012-2017)

Being a boarder helped me grow my friendships, develop my communication skills and express my appreciation of others. It allowed me to become who I want to be; open about my situation and able to express myself freely.

One of the challenges of being on a bursary has been when my friends asked me if I wanted to go out socially.

There were times when I would say no ‘because I am saving’ or ‘because I’m not hungry’.

Often, they would ask straight up ‘Is this because of money?’ and I would admit that it was.

They would be ‘Don’t be silly, you’re coming!’ I feel so lucky to have such a caring, humble and generous group of friends, and I sincerely hope they will be with me for life.

Mill Hill has a good balance in terms of focus on academic work and grades, and involvement in extra-curricular activities. I always worked hard and achieved well in my GCSEs to allow me to study Maths, Physics and Psychology and I will go on to study Psychology at Wesminster University.

Thank you

I am hugely appreciative of the opportunity I have been given to be a pupil at Mill Hill, and I have always tried to make the most of it. I am deeply grateful to the school and to those donors who support the bursary programme.

“Being a boarder helped me grow my friendships, develop my communication skills and express my appreciation of others.”

YAMIN SYED

(COLLINSON, 2020-2025)

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CHANGING LIVES

THROUGH LEGACY GIVING

Since Mill Hill first opened its doors over 200 years ago, we have been the fortunate and very grateful beneficiary of legacy gifts left by Old Millhillians, staff and friends of the School. Our School is the living legacy of their generosity.

‘I owe the Foundation a huge debt of gratitude. First, my nine years on the Ridgeway significantly contributed to the forging of me, to making me the person I am and to preparing me for adult life.

In 2008, the 1807 Society was established, named after the year the School was founded. The Society brings together all those who have included Mill Hill School in their will and care deeply about its future.

Second, Mill Hill has given me another family: the Old Millhillian family.

Friendship, help and kindness are the hallmarks of this extensive family. I can't emphasise enough how much I value it.

It is a tremendous community of Old Millhillians and friends of the School who meet for spring and autumn lunches each year. These occasions truly are highlights of the School calendar.

Unless otherwise advised, legacy gifts are directed to our Bursary Endowment Fund. These gifts are invested and only the gains will ever be spent.

Permanently endowed gifts have the power to keep on giving, forever.

Through the Endowment Fund, our aim is to ensure that any child with potential can attend our school, regardless of their financial circumstances.

To find out more about The 1807 Society please contact The Development Office.

As to financial support, my modest legacy will go, and the contributions I make regularly out of income are going, into the ring-fenced bursary fund, so that boys and girls whose parents cannot afford the fees are able to benefit, as I did, from an holistic Mill Hill education.’

JOHN BESENT

(COLLINSON, 1957-1962)

We are fortunate to be able to offer bursary awards in perpetuity thanks to the generosity of: Arthur ‘Berry’ Baldwin and Matthew Baldwin When Berry (Winterstoke 19451949), pictured right, died, he left a fund which his brother Matthew (Winterstoke 1948-1953), pictured below, managed, nourished and grew in fond memory of their time at School. In keeping with their own experiences, the fund was intended to support boarding pupils who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to attend the School. When Matthew died, he left his estate to the same trust. Their legacy is dozens of pupils who have benefitted from an education at Mill Hill and who, in turn, have contributed enormously to School life.

Robin Viggo Petersen MRCVS In 2025, Robin’s widow, Barbara established a new bursary in Robin’s memory.

It now supports a pupil who ordinarily would be unable to attend the School and who has an interest in studying sciences, just as Robin did.

MEMBERS OF THE 1807 SOCIETY Nigel Baker Burton Bank 1955-1961

Mike Corby Winterstoke 1953-1958

Lester Banks Ridgeway 1955-195

Jeremy Davies Winterstoke 1974-1979

Robin Barlow Ridgeway 1955-1959

Robert Davison Burton Bank 1950-1955

Vaclav Benes Belmont 1939-1942

Grahame Elliott Weymouth 1952-1957

John Besent Collinson 1953-1957

Angela Elliott and the late John Elliott Weymouth 1950-1955

Roderick Braithwaite Winterstoke 1945-1950 Alastair Breeze Scrutton 1947-1953 Hugh Cannell Burton Bank 1948-1954 Roger Chapman Weymouth 1960-1965 Randal Charlton Collinson 1953-1958 Graham Chase Burton Bank 1966-1972 Ronny Cohn Weymouth 1959-1963

Barbara Farris widow of the late Stephen Farris Scrutton 1970-1974 Lord Michael Glendonbrook of Bowdon School House 1955-1957 Henry Goldsmith Collinson 1954-1958 Graham Hamilton Andrews Burton Bank 1951-1955 Hugh Hamilton Andrews Burton Bank 1955-1960

Margaret Holmes Pickering widow of the late Arthur Holmes Pickering Murray 1947-1954 Martin Jourdan Ridgeway 1954-1959

Stephen Robinson Collinson 1964-1969 Cliff Rose Ridgeway 1955-1959 Barbara Stevens

Chris Kelly Former Staff

David Talmage Collinson 1954-1959

Mr Robin Lloyd Owen Winterstoke 1954-1959

Christopher Tew Collinson 1959-1964

Brian Murphy Murray 1953-1959

William Turner Weymouth 1959-1964

Giles Orr Former Staff

Frankie Vero widow of the late Geoffrey Vero Weymouth 1960-1965

Robert Priestley School House 1970-1972 Nick Priestnall Former Staff Dudley Read Ridgeway 1947-1952 Ian Reekie Ridgeway 1954-1959 John Roberts Collinson 1948-1953

There are three further members of the society who have chosen to remain anonymous.

Malcolm Wade Weymouth 1957-1963 Peter Wakeham Burton Bank 1960-1964 Stewart Wernham Collinson 1974-1979 Adrian Williams Weymouth 1951-1956 Peter Woodroffe Weymouth 1942-1945 William Yates School House 1950-1955

1807 Society member George Malcolm Roger Graham OBE died peacefully after a short illness on the 8th of August 2025, aged 86. Much loved husband of Irene, and father of Malcolm, Oriel and Annabel, Roger will be much missed by his seven grandchildren and all who knew him. Read more about hist legacy at Mill Hill on p18.

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CHANGING LIVES

THROUGH INSPIRING SPACES

A SIXTH FORM FOR MILL HILL INTERNATIONAL Since opening the doors of Mill Hill International in 2015 (formerly The Mount) we have had the privilege of watching our pupils grow and succeed. It has been a wonderful journey.

Until now, we have been teaching pupils up to GCSE level. As we celebrate ten years of Mill Hill International, we are at the start of an exciting new chapter. In September, we opened our very own Sixth Form. This long-held ambition, to offer our international families a seamless transition throughout their senior school years, has now become a reality.

Sixth Formers enjoying the new Centre

We are incredibly grateful to the Mill Hill International families who have so generously supported the School and enabled us to move this project forward.

I have been at Mill Hill International since the start of Year 10 and I enjoy being in this school so much. There are so many activities going and because it is a small school, you get to know people really well, especially the boarding community. I’ve decided to stay for Sixth Form and I’m really glad to be staying with the teachers and pupils that I know.

The new Sixth Form Centre

LUIS V

YEAR 12 PUPIL Study space and social space inside the Sixth Form Centre

NEW CRICKET NETS FOR MILL HILL SCHOOL Mill Hill celebrated the opening of its brand-new cricket nets in September, marking a significant milestone in the School’s sports development programme. The event was made especially memorable for our pupils as Justin Langer, Head Coach of London Spirit and former Australian international cricketer, officially opened the facility.

This exciting development is part of a growing partnership with Totteridge Cricket Club, aimed at enhancing cricket opportunities for young players.

The collaboration promises expert coaching, shared resources, and a pathway for aspiring cricketers to progress beyond school-level competition.

Looking ahead, Head of Cricket, Jamie Diamond has launched a Cricket Academy with a winter cricket programme to keep pupils engaged and developing their skills all year-round. With training, specialist sessions, and guest coaching appearances, the programme will be a game-changer for cricket at Mill Hill.

Thank you to the Old Millhillians and parents who supported this campaign.

“This marks the completion of the first stage in redeveloping our cricket facilities, paving the way for our exciting new cricket programmes and Cricket Academy at Mill Hill.

Exciting times lie ahead for cricket at Mill Hill, another piece of the puzzle completed in supporting our pupils on their cricketing journey and development.”

JAMIE DIAMOND

HEAD OF CRICKET

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WILL YOU JOIN US

IN PRESERVING OUR HERITAGE? Current and former pupils and staff are rightly proud of the School’s rich heritage. 200 years on from the laying of the foundation stone, it is fitting that we turn our attention to upgrading and preserving some of the most iconic and treasured spaces within the School.

To learn more, make a donation and support these important heritage projects please visit www.millhill.org.uk/heritage.

THEN

The Collinson Mansion, also known as Ridgeway House, the original home of Mill Hill School

NOW

The Peter Collinson Heritage Garden today

THE PETER COLLINSON HERITAGE GARDEN We invite you to be part of the restoration and revitalisation of The Collinson Garden, a cherished space at the heart of our school. The historic listed wall is in need of careful repair, along with new gates and restored pillars that will return the garden to its former beauty.

Our grounds team envisions a renewed garden where

pupils can reflect, connect, and find inspiration in their surroundings.

To bring this vision to life, we need £30,000 in support.

Your investment will help preserve an important part of our heritage while creating a vibrant space for generations to come.

THE GATE OF HONOUR The Gate of Honour was created through the War Memorial Fund to commemorate Old Millhillians and staff who gave their lives in the First World War. Each year, the entire school passes through the Gate in remembrance of those who died in both World Wars and the Falklands War.

To complete this important project we are seeking £50,000 in support. Your gift will safeguard Mill Hill’s heritage and honour the memory of those who came before us.

NOW

Procession through the Gate of Honour, November 2024

We are now seeking support for the renewal of this historic landmark. Some of the stonework requires careful restoration and, in places, replacement to preserve it and ensure it endures for generations to come.

THEN

Procession through the Gate of Honour, 1920

THE LARGE The Large has served generations of pupils and staff at Mill Hill. We are now embarking on a major project to renew and enhance this historic space, ensuring it meets the needs of today’s pupils while preserving its heritage for the future.

NOW

Pupil performance of Legally Blonde, February 2025

dining facilities within the School.

In order to turn this vision for The Large into reality, we need to secure £300,000. We invite you to contribute towards our target and help to inspire creativity and community for generations to come.

The work in The Large will include restoration, modernisation of facilities, and improvements to accommodate our flourishing Performing Arts department, while maintaining the building’s unique character.

These improvements will also facilitate longer term plans to redevelop our Sixth Form, Science and

THEN

The Large in use as a hospital during WW2

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PREPARING PUPILS FOR THE FUTURE THROUGH TECHNOLOGY When the current cohort of pupils leave school, they will be entering a world that has been transformed by technology. Thanks to the late Roger Graham OBE, Mill Hill will be unique in ensuring that every pupil will be able to thrive in a technology-led society.

Roger Graham OBE

For the last eighteen months, senior staff have been working closely with Roger Graham OBE (Collinson 19521957) to develop a bespoke course about the history of computing for our Fourth Form pupils. The course enables pupils to develop an understanding of its evolution from Turing's Bletchley through the past 70 years to AI and its application into the future.

Roger wanted the course to have a focus on entrepreneurship, enabling pupils to gain a sense of how to develop projects and make solid business decisions, by learning from the successes and failures of previous projects and leaders in the IT sector. We are really looking forward to rolling out the course and seeing the tangible benefits to all our pupils.

After a short illness, Roger sadly passed away on the 8th August 2025. While he will not live to see the fulfilment of his vision to teach young people about the transformative power of technology, the blueprint for the course is in place and teaching is underway.

Roger’s wife Irene rightly said that Mill Hill was lucky to have him, and we hope that as we live out his vision, this project will be a fitting legacy to his enormous contribution to the School.

Roger attended Mill Hill as a Middlesex Scholar, the award for boys with academic ability but whose parents could not afford a private education. He described Mill Hill as ‘a great success for me’. He went on to study Engineering at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge.

In his early career, Roger built aeroplanes. He then became interested in computers, identifying them as the growth field. Roger was an exceptional talent who was known in City circles primarily for his work in growing the business which provided banking software to many financial institutions.

Roger spent most of his six-decade-long career in computer services. As an entrepreneur and adviser he helped develop 3,000 IT jobs and £500m of stakeholder value. He was awarded an OBE in the 1987 New Year’s Honours.

In 2015, he founded and became the first trustee of Archives of IT. It was in 2024 that Roger began to put plans in place to develop a course to educate Mill Hill pupils about the history of computing and the vast impact it has had on every aspect of society, from healthcare to space exploration.

“What makes this course really unique is that it gives young people an understanding of how technology is where it is today. There is no doubt that pupils will become more interested and involved if they know the context and this course will absolutely do that.”

KEITH AIKEN

ARCHIVES OF IT CURRICULUM LEAD

Playwright Tanika Gupta (McClure 1980-1982) visits Mill Hill, September 2024

AND THROUGH CAREERS SUPPORT At Mill Hill, we have been developing a careers programme that responds to the rapidly evolving world of work and trends set out by reports from the World Economic Forum and other research bodies. This is no simple task; however, challenges are not something we shy away from at Mill Hill.

With this in mind, all pupils at Mill Hill take part in a careers programme that offers individual advice and guidance.

Pupils also gain access to networking opportunities with professionals in a variety of fields, many of whom are Old Millhillians. Through one-to-one advice and an engaging programme of events, we are empowering pupils to make well-informed decisions about their futures.

While all young people face challenges in navigating the future of work, some encounter additional barriers that can make this journey more complex.

Socially disadvantaged pupils experience greater career confusion, misalignment, uncertainty around career plans and are less able to access careers guidance. Bursaries

The Property Panel, September 2025

give these pupils access to lifechanging experiences as well as support to fulfil their potential; not just academically but also in building their self-awareness, cultural capital and professional know how.

By creating an inclusive and forwardthinking careers programme we aim to expand horizons, raise ambitions, and prepare pupils for the future of work. The careers programme is enriched by the support of the Mill Hill community offering their time and expertise to share their own career and inspire pupils embarking on their own journey.

To get involved in the careers programme, please don't hesitate to contact me: ellen.weaver@millhill.group.

“We are empowering pupils to make well-informed decisions about their futures.”

ELLEN WEAVER

FOUNDATION CAREERS LEAD

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THANK YOU

TO OUR SUPPORTERS

David Benson, Head of Mill Hill School, Antony Spencer, CEO of the Mill Hill Education Group and the Governors would like to thank all those who give their support to help change lives at Mill Hill School whether through the support of bursaries or by investing in capital projects.

THE DONOR ROLL

Weymouth 1960-1965 Graham Chase Burton Bank 1966-1972 Kason Cheong and Peiya Zhuang Robert Childs Scrutton 1964-1968 David Clark Winterstoke 1963-1968 Ronny Cohn Weymouth 1959-1963 Adam & Kerin Conn Russell Cowan Weymouth 1958-1963

Ibrahim Adali School 1973-1976

Vaclav Benes Belmont 1939-1942

Manny Ajayi Winterstoke 1980-1985

Chris Benton School 1975-1980

Jeremy Akhavi Ridgeway 2012-2017

Richard Berger Collinson 1969-1975

Bassel Al-Sayed Atkinson 2007-2008

Leslie Bergman & Dymphna Lehane

Amir Edalatian Alipour & Toktam Hosseinzadeh

Richard & Emma Bernstein

Sumedha Amunugama Burton Bank 1988-1993

Steven Berrick

Jamie Dalton Priestley 1996-2002

John Besent Collinson 1957-1962

Abid David Collinson 1988-1993

Shengcheng Bi and Yujun Wei

Chloe David-Sheldrick Collinson 2005-2010

Victoria Blaisdell McClure 1988-1990

Nick Davis Murray 1974-1979

Chris Boutourline Murray 1971-1974

Robert Davison Burton Bank 1950-1955

John Bowie Collinson 1975-1980

Anthony Dearing Ridgeway 1986-1991

David and Julie Boyd

Jane Donald

Geoffrey & Janet Broomhead

Peter Douglas-Jones Winterstoke 1960-1964

David Brown Burton Bank 1956-1961

Ashley Drew Ridgeway 1961-1966

Serdar and Mine Bulut

Ray Dunsbier Collinson 1952-1956

Ian Anderson Scrutton 1962-1967 John Anderson Ridgeway 1961-1966 Russell Armstrong McClure 1991-1996 The late Rosemary Armstrong Lali Asratova Christopher & Claire Atkins Ihsan and Selin Ates Charles Atkins-Liddiard Murray 1972-1976 Amangeldy Baizakov and Gulmira Baizakova Richard Barker Ridgeway 1961-1965 Christopher Barltrop Scrutton 1959-1963 The late Colin Barnes Burton Bank 1949-1954 Bob Barton Burton Bank 1952-1957 Rahmi and Asli Bayraktar Oleksii Baryshevsky and Iryna Baryshevska John Beck Burton Bank 1976-1981

Ann Bunyard Duncan Burton Priestley 2003-2008 Alexander Burtt Winterstoke 1981-1985 Christopher Butcher Murray 1961-1967

Adam & Natalie Cramer Jonathan Craymer Murray 1963-1968 Robert Crooke Winterstoke 1962-1967 Adam Crowne School 1970-1975

Geraint Dyfnallt Burton Bank 1955-1960 Nicholas Economakis Collinson 1980-1985 David and Elizabeth Eweje Ekaterina Fadeeva

Gideon & Rachel Frank Florian Freiberg Ridgeway 1995-1996 Daniel Gee Ridgeway 1976-1980 Alexis Georgiou School 1994-1999 Lord Glendonbrook of Bowdon School 1955-1957 Jamie Goldberg Priestley 1990-1995 Henry Goldsmith Collinson 1954-1958 Andrew & Karen Goldstone Clifford Goodman Scrutton 1948-1952 Angela Graham-Leigh Ariel Grunberg Collinson 1968-1971 Ryan Gunning Ridgeway 1961-1966 Abhijit Gupta McClure 1989-1994 Ekaterina Gurskaya and Dzmitry Gurski Simon Hall School 1977-1980 Peter Harris Scrutton 1957-1962 Lucy Harvie-Austin Weymouth 2003-2007 John Hellinikakis Murray 1976-1981 John Henley Weymouth 1953-1957 Alexander Henshaw Ridgeway 1956-1961 Frederick Higgs Ridgeway 1952-1957 Kenneth Hinkley Smith Scrutton 1952-1958 Colin Holloway Burton Bank 1953-1958 Peter Holmes Scrutton 1957-1961 Anthony Horne Winterstoke 1954-1960 Andrew Houston School 1974-1979 Bihai Hu and Yu Shen Theo Hughes Ford Ridgeway 2004-2009 Douglas Hugill Winterstoke 1957-1962 Lucia Hull

Graham Butler Winterstoke 1942-1947

Tom Farara Priestley 2001-2006

Kip Calderara Burton Bank 1960-1965

Ying Feng and Xi Chen

Jon Huxley Ridgeway 1982-1987

Arthur Ferryman Burton Bank 1954-1959

Waseem Iqbal McClure 1994-1999

Paul Fox Scrutton 1955-1960

Edmund Ivens Weymouth 1952-1957

Mason Caton-Brown Ridgeway 2009-2011 Roger Chapman

Adrian James Collinson 1964-1970

Alfredo Matamoros and Sandra Taja

Charles Roberts Ridgeway 1958-1963

Rongping Zeng and Shumei Guo

Jonny Jenner Murray 1998-2003

Ardeshir Matini Collinson 1986-1991

Jon Rosswick McClure 1978-1984

Zhigang Zhang and Yuhong Wu

Hao Jiang and Jian Lin Zhao

Clive Mence Murray 1953-1957

Tom Russell Ridgeway 1997-2002

Hongwei Zhang and Hongyan Gu

Erwan and Maëla Merly

Patrick Russell Burton Bank 1957-1962

Xiaolong Zhao and Lijun Dai

Timothy Jones Weymouth 1966-1971 Tim Jones Collinson 1970-1975

Barney Micklem Weymouth 1962-1966

Adrian Jordan Murray 1973-1978

Andrew & Suzanna Miller

Martin Jourdan Ridgeway 1954-1959

Alan Mills Ridgeway 1959-1964

Karen Justice

Robin Mills Ridgeway 1957-1962

Stephen Kalms School 1970-1973

Dariush Mirfendereski Murray 1978-1982

Shu Kay Kam and Kam Yin Mui

Denis and Oksana Mirgorod

Ahmet and Yekaterina Karakaya Nimesh Kamath Murray 1988-1993 Kevin Karikari Ridgeway 2004-2009 Gun Kasapoglu Winterstoke 1982-1987 Saeed Kazim Winterstoke 1983-1984 Jim Kent Ridgeway 1952-1957 The late Ali Khaleeli Burton Bank 1959-1964 Ronald Hugh King Burton Bank 1960-1964 Bernard Kirk Ridgeway 1963-1968 Donald Knight Burton Bank 1954-1959 Ozgen Ilgaz & Muharrem Koçyiğit Thiagarajah & Sharmini Kohulan David Lanford McClure 1977-1982 Lara Lea Cedars 1997-1999 Andrew Lewis Murray 1969-1974 Richard Llewellyn Collinson 1958-1966 Nicholas Lowe Weymouth 1967-1972 Iain Macdonald Sandy Macfarlane Scrutton 1948-1952 Thomas Mackenzie School 2002-2007 Lillian Malekyazdi Murray 2003-2009 Joel Mangham Winterstoke 1966-1968 Isaac Manzo Gasca Michael Martin Weymouth 1999-2002

Darshankumar Mistry Winterstoke 1983-1986

Derek Salter Ridgeway 1945-1950 Jane Sanchez Sheery Sassoon Weymouth 1998-2000 Hugh Saunders Ridgeway 1954-1959 Nicholas Schild Murray 2008-2013 Maximilian & Megan Chen-Schlote

Gordon Mizner Murray 1965-1969

Alan Sewell & Justine Wright

John Moody Ridgeway 1974-1980

Farzo & Moona Shamash Toba Shittu

Reza Moosavi Murray 1985-1990

Hossein Shojanoori Murray 1996-2001

William and Sardia Mould

Yang Shao and Jingya Ji

Oliver Mundy Murray 1964-1968

Lee & Charlotte Simpson

David North Scrutton 1957-1962

Julian & Poorvi Smith

Barbara Nowak Tim Obey School 1973-1979 Baran Odar and Jantje Friese Okechukwu Ogali Burton Bank 2000-2002 Evgeniy Osokin and Elvira Osokina Mark Ousey Winterstoke 1980-1985 Adrian Padfield Burton Bank 1950-1955 Chao Pan Chris Parker Burton Bank 1953-1958 Ann Pelham John Perry School 1948-1953 Barbara Petersen Richard Pine Murray 1954-1959 Volodymyr Popereshniuk and Alina Popereshniuk Guy Potel Priestley 1987-1992 Jonty Prout Weymouth 1964-1968 Ciera Radia Weymouth 2010-2012 George Richardson School 2006-2011 Alan Roberts

Amit Singh and Tejal Patel Andrew Somogyi Ridgeway 1956-1960 Simon Spalter Murray 1956-1960 Antony & Suzanne Spencer Roger Steele Ridgeway 1959-1964 Eddie Stone McClure 1985-1991 Conan Sturdy School 1987-1992 Alexander & Natalie Subramaniam Christopher Tew Collinson 1959-1964 Peter & Amy Thompson Chris Tew Collinson 1959-1964 Mark Tognolini Jordan Tolner Weymouth 1998-2003 Simon Trewin Scrutton 1965-1970 Peisong Xie and Yifei Ping

Simon Tucker School 1978-1983 Frankie Vero Robert Wade Weymouth 1956-1960 Adrian Wallace Murray 1971-1975 Daniel Tsun Yin Wan Ridgeway 1992-1998 Anthony Ward McClure 1982-1987 Nigel Warren Thomas Weymouth 1963-1968 John Watkiss Collinson 1950-1955 Alan Weatherall Weymouth 1954-1959 Miles Webster School 1967-1972 Philippa Welch Stewart Wernham Collinson 1974-1979 Gerry Westoby Ridgeway 1956-1961 Fiona Whelan Ridgeway 1980-1982 Robin Wilkinson Scrutton 1967-1971 Adrian Williams Weymouth 1951-1956 William Winfield Jeffrey Woodhams Burton Bank 1965-1969 David Yadgar Priestley 1991-1996 Kazusei and Saori Yamamoto Bonnie Yiu Burton Bank 2001-2006 David Young Burton Bank 1952-1955 David Young Scrutton 1963-1968 The Baldwin Trust The Whitehead Trust The Maurice Leonard Jacks Deceased Will Trust

With thanks also to three additional donors who wish to remain anonymous.

All care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of this list.

However, if any errors have occurred, please accept our sincere apologies and contact The Development O�ice so that we can correct our records.

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PLAY YOUR PART REGULAR GIFTS

CHEQUES

Regular donations are incredibly important to Mill Hill School. By choosing to give a regular donation you will be helping us to plan ahead and make long-term commitments to bursaries and other projects. To setup a monthly, quarterly or annual direct debit, please scan the QR code or visit:

Cheques should be made payable to The Mill Hill School Foundation and sent to:

millhill.org.uk/support-us

The Development Office Mill Hill School The Ridgeway Mill Hill London NW7 1QS

ONE-OFF GIFTS

GIVING FROM THE USA

Giving a one-off gift will have an immediate impact.

We are an approved institution with the British Schools and Universities Foundation (BSUF), a 501(c)(3) organisation

To make a one-off gift you can donate online at millhill.org.uk/support-us Or by using the following bank details: The Mill Hill School Foundation Sort Code: 60-14-27 Account number: 05105625 IBAN: GB10NWBK60142705105625 SWIFT/BIC: NWBKGB2L

This means that if you are a US resident, you can donate tax-efficiently through BSUF, nominating The Mill Hill School Foundation when you make your gift.

To make a one off or regular tax efficient donation from the USA through the British Schools and Universities Foundation (BSUF) visit www.bsuf.org/donate stating a preference for The Mill Hill School Foundation.

LEGACY GIFTS

CONTACT US

To find out more about becoming a member of the 1807 Society and including The Mill Hill School Foundation in your will, please contact Director of Development, Lucia Hull lucia.hull@mhsfoundation.uk or 020 8906 7864.

We would love to talk to you about how you can give back to Mill Hill. Whether you would like to meet for coffee, online or speak over the phone please contact us directly using the details on the page opposite.

GIFT AID

The Mill Hill School Foundation is a registered charity (number 1064758). If you are a UK tax-payer, please include a Gift Aid declaration with your donation. This will allow the School to reclaim 25% of the donation amount from HMRC. For example, if you donate £1,000, we can claim an additional £250 from HMRC. If you are a higher-rate taxpayer, you can reclaim the difference between the higher rate of tax you pay and the basic rate on the total (gross) value of your donation through your annual self-assessment tax return reducing the overall cost to you.

RECOGNISING YOUR GENEROSITY

VISIT

Significant contributions to the Mill Hill School Foundation are recognised through our Giving Circles:

millhill.org.uk /support-us to make a donation online

Top Terracers

Friends of the School who contribute £1,000–£4,999 annually join our Top Terracers, named after the iconic location within the School.

As a Top Terracer, you will be honoured on our supporter wall, leaving a lasting mark on the Mill Hill community while helping to shape the future of the School.

The Founders’ Circle

Honouring the vision of Graham Drake (Ridgeway 1957–1962) and Robin Mills (Ridgeway 1957–1962), the Founders’ Circle continues their legacy of transforming lives through the A Better Chance Bursary Fund.

Members contribute £5,000– £24,999 annually, are honoured on our supporter wall, as well as enjoying exclusive access to events throughout the year. These events allow members to connect with our Senior Leadership Team and fellow supporters who are shaping the future of Mill Hill.

Patrons

We are deeply grateful to those who directly sponsor pupils throughout their Mill Hill education or support major school projects.

Patrons contribute over £25,000 annually, which, together with Gift Aid, covers the equivalent of one pupil’s annual fees. Members enjoy an exclusive programme of events throughout the year, including opportunities to meet bursary pupils, hear their stories, and see firsthand the transformative impact of their support.

This is a circle for those who want to engage deeply, celebrate achievement, and make a lasting difference at Mill Hill.

THE MILL HILL SCHOOL FOUNDATION DEVELOPMENT TEAM

LUCIA HULL

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT LUCIA.HULL@ MHSFOUNDATION.UK

JANE SANCHEZ

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT JS@MILLHILL.ORG.UK

ADAM SEARLE

DATA AND ARCHIVES ADAM.SEARLE@ MILLHILL.GROUP

EVELYN TAYLOR

DEVELOPMENT INTERN EVELYN.TAYLOR@ MILLHILL.GROUP

23 23

Mill Hill School. Part of the Mill Hill Education Group.

I would like to say thank you to those who supported me, you will always have my deepest, deepest gratitude KIT NYMAN- MCKNIGHT

(SCHOOL, 2012-2017)

The Development O�ice Mill Hill School The Ridgeway Mill Hill Village London NW7 1QS development@millhill.org.uk 020 8906 7864 millhill.org.uk/support-us The Mill Hill School Foundation: a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England: number 3404450 Registered o�ice: Walker House, Millers Close, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AQ. Registered charity number: 1064758