As Headmaster, it is my great privilege to present to you our latest annual Donor Impact Report. This report not only highlights the incredible generosity of our community but also celebrates the profound difference your contributions have made in the lives of our students.
At the heart of our school lies a commitment to providing an exceptional education that is accessible to all, regardless of financial backgrounds. Thanks to your unwavering support, we continue to be able to offer a significant number of bursaries to deserving students. These bursaries do more than cover school fees; they open doors to opportunities that would otherwise remain closed. They allow us to welcome bright, curious minds into our classrooms - students who enrich our school community with their diverse backgrounds, perspectives and talents.
Every bursary awarded is a testament to the transformative power of education. It is a step towards realising the potential of each student, enabling them to dream bigger, reach further, and achieve more than they ever thought possible. The
Thanks to your generous support, we are making a lasting impact to the lives of countless children.
information detailed within this report is living proof of the impact you have made. There are stories of resilience, determination and, above all, gratitude.
On behalf of the entire school community, I extend my deepest thanks to each of you. Your contributions are not just financial gifts; they are investments in the lives of young people and in the values we hold dear as a school. Together, we are making a lasting difference.
Thank you for your generosity.
Kevin Fear, Headmaster
The Class of 2024 bursary students
are going to:
Degree subjects include:
Business Management and Economics
Computer Science
Education/Drama & Theatre
Engineering
Marine Biology
Mechanical Engineering
Medicine
Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Psychology
Robotic Engineering
This is where our money came from in 2023-2024
The total amount raised was £288,214 including Gift Aid
From its foundation to the present day, the School has championed social mobility for the bright children of Nottinghamshire and the surrounding counties, regardless of their families’ ability to pay, through our partnerships and the bursary programme. Our support for bursaries has been complemented by income from the School’s modest Endowment Fund, local trusts and foundations and an increasing number of generous Old Nottinghamians.
32 people have donated for the first time 10 2023-2024
27%
of our regular donors have been donating for over 10 years
36 Members of The 1513 Society
Education continues to play a crucial role in mitigating the challenges to social mobility by providing skills, knowledge and qualifications needed. A High School education has helped generations of Old Nottinghamians to break the cycle of poverty by empowering them to compete in the labour market, encourage critical thinking and opening doors to professions that offer upward mobility. Through a High School education children are overcoming barriers that limit their potential, creating a more equitable society.
110
current students awarded a bursary place
1 in 8 receive financial assistance
10
Youngest
35
Oldest 97
Regular Donors yrs yrs
98 new stones have been sponsored on Waverley Walkway
15 people made a donation when booking on to an event
52 Donors in 2023-2024
Regular Donors
Beyond Nottingham High School
We spoke to Gaynor Bell, mother of Joe Bell (ON 2014-2021), and this is what she told us:
“When we initially applied to the School, our family setup was Joe’s father, me and brothers Sam and Nat. Nat was born with various issues. He is disabled (a wheelchair user), autistic, has global developmental delay and challenging behaviour, along with a range of other issues undiagnosed. I have been his fulltime carer since his birth.
In 2016, our marriage broke down. There was no contact with the children from my ex-husband. Sam and Joe continued to care for Nat in the family home.
When Joe was in Year 5, I raised the conversation of the High School after seeing the Open Days advertised. I pushed my husband to attend, albeit a year too early to try, and get an understanding of any potential bursaries and the application process.
Many conversations were held with Joe about Nottingham High School, the kind of school it was, the fees and the limited bursary funding. It was done realistically, emphasising that a very small number of children could be helped and many would not.
Joe was blown away on the day of the entrance exam, this cemented his desire to want to be accepted for a place to study at the School.
I was aware that because of his background there may be challenges.
The day of Joe’s interview, our nerves showed.
This was my first time attending the School and I felt overwhelmed. I remember looking around thinking this is another world.
Mr Fear was extremely kind and probably aware of my awkwardness. I will always remember, he spoke of his own education and receiving support, that I really appreciated.
The offer letter arrived on a Saturday. We opened it away from Joe. I took the letter upstairs to Joe. I told him we had a letter from the School and passed it to him. He started crying. I wasn’t expecting that! He told me he was so happy. He didn’t think they would take him so he was clearly in shock.
Honestly, my mind was completely blown. We had discussed how money would be tight to do this if it worked out, however it was important to give him the opportunity that would make it happen.
This opportunity changed the narrative. He holds a strong foundation through the opportunity Nottingham High School has given him. Joe and I value this immensely.
He has a vision of what life can be like. Hard work, experience, no resentment, simply seeing what he can achieve if he works hard and being true to himself, sets a desire within him.
This was the message Joe’s mum sent the Headmaster on A level
Results
Day:
I didn’t get the opportunity yesterday to personally thank you for the opportunity you have given to Joe over the last seven years. As a school, you will never know how much
this has meant to us, it’s given me hope that Joe stands a better chance than I ever had, a chance you gave him, for that, I will be forever grateful. The School’s vision and bursary scheme gives hope and opportunity. Joe was blessed to have had that support. I can’t help but feel humbled that other young people will be entering into Year 7 in September as Joe did with the same opportunity.
Joe is ecstatic to be heading to his 1st choice placement at Newcastle.
I hope one day Joe and/or I are in a position to give back to continue the opportunity you offered to him.
Thank you for the journey.”
Joe’s story 2024
Joe is currently in his third and final year studying at Newcastle University for his BA in English Language. He has thoroughly enjoyed his time there, spending the last two years sharing accommodation with another Old Nottinghamian. He has shown an interest and is currently exploring the option of working in Japan supporting English tutoring, he seems quite taken with the prospect.
“The opportunity was given by the School and its donors to get him where he is and a personal thank you will never be enough, truly.” Gaynor Bell 2024
Thank you from two former bursary recipients
Taona Makunganya (ON 2016-2023)
Head Boy 2022-2023
“As I reflect on my first year at the University of Oxford, I want to express my deep gratitude for the vital support and guidance I received during my time at Nottingham High School. The personal care and attention were central to my experience, and my success would not have been possible without your support. My time at Oxford has been both challenging and rewarding. The rigorous academic environment has reinforced my passion for medicine and allowed me to grow intellectually. The foundation provided by Nottingham High School has been instrumental in my success. I would also like to extend special thanks to you. Your dedication and commitment to your students have made a significant impact, and I am deeply appreciative of the role Nottingham High School played in my journey.”
Taona
Ethan Huntley (ON 2016-2023) Deputy Head Boy 2022-2023
“The jump to university was initially a daunting one, and being the first in my family to make the jump only added to that. However, like with most obstacles in my life, my approach was to jump into it head first and with as much enthusiasm as I could muster.
I am studying International History and Politics and whilst a lot of the first year has been recap and catching up on things, it has been enriching to look at certain subjects through a completely new lens and in a new level of detail. The new level of independence has been challenging at times, but in many ways has also been quite freeing. Outside of academics, I have also had a lot of fun continuing to play rugby in my spare time. I play for the Leeds Medics and Dentists Club (despite neither being a medic nor a dentist) which is a less intense and far more friendly and casual playing experience, where I have made many great friends from different year groups. Overall, I would say I have had a successful first year, and I would say it came as a result of my willingness to just try things.”
Ethan
Donor Story - Dr Peter Kendrick (ON 1941 - 1948), PhD, BSc, CEng, FIChemE
I was born in Nottingham in July, 1930, both of my parents being from the area. Father was a primary school teacher and mother a housewife. I am an only child, and we had no links to the Nottingham High School.
I went to school at the infants and primary schools in our area in Nottingham, and it was my mother’s initiative to enter me for the publicly held NHS Foundation Scholarship examination for 1941. I was successful, and became one of the NHS Foundation Scholars of 1941.
At the School, aside from academic work, activities which took my effort were stage management of the annual school play, and the Secretary of the NHS Photographic Society (of which I was a founder member).
Leaving NHS in 1948 ended my contact with Nottingham. My mother died in 1953, and my father retired soon afterwards. He remarried, and in 1960 moved to Devon, to the home of my stepmother.
I left NHS to enter the University of Birmingham, studying a subject that was then new: Chemical Engineering. Funding for this was by a Nottingham Education Committee Major Award, based on my results in the Higher Certificate (schoolleaving examination) in my final year at NHS. Happily, I gained not only a 1st Class Honours degree, but also the University Cadman Medal in Chemical Engineering for 1951. I went on then as a Research Student to gain my PhD, in 1955. The funding for that was largely by the DSIR, as arranged by the Professor of Chemical Engineering.
My subsequent career (38 years until my retirement) provided a variety of experience in jobs (eight of them, in different places) in industry, including four years in the Netherlands and eleven years in Hong Kong. It was while I was in Hong Kong that my first wife, Beryl, died of cancer, and two years later (in Hong Kong) that I met Irene, who is now my second wife.
I have had a busy and productive retirement, from our home in Edinburgh. It in no way links to my life as a schoolboy in Nottingham, or to NHS (which I have seen again only on the occasions of the 450th and 500th anniversaries of Founder’s Day and the 1945-1955 reunion on the 22nd April 2023). However, in these more recent times I have reflected on what others have done for me, enabling me to start my path at and from NHS. Consequently I decided to “put my money where my mouth is” to support the Headmaster, Kevin Fear, in his commitment and work to support children through the Bursary Programme. I am proud not only to be an Old Nottinghamian but also a donor to the School.
Message from our Patron David Wild (ON 1964-1974) and former Chair of Governors
The cost of living crisis is affecting us all, and especially those parents who already make huge sacrifices to send their children to Nottingham High School. With the imposition on school fees now confirmed and the financial horizon is bleak for many who aspire to a High School education, never has the Bursary Fund been more critical for the School, for parents and most of all, for pupils.
Over the years there have been many publicly-funded schemes to help bright pupils from Nottinghamshire and the surrounding areas enjoy the many benefits a High School education brings. In my time at School, it was local authority scholarships. Since then we have had the assisted places scheme, and other initiatives. All those have gone, and the
social mobility previously generated by them is now dependent almost solely on the Bursary Fund.
As you will have read from this report, the Bursary Fund has created many opportunities to help students from very diverse backgrounds thrive during their time at the School, and beyond. It also helps engender the culture of social responsibility of which the School is so rightly proud, and ensures that our pupils leave as “well-rounded“ human beings, eager to make a positive contribution to wider society.
On behalf of all the pupils and parents whom you have supported, can I thank each of you for your generosity in contributing to the Bursary Fund. It will have changed someone’s life for ever.
Thank you
Since its foundation in 1513, Nottingham High School has benefited from gifts which have ensured the future of the School and secured its continued growth and progression.
We are incredibly grateful to all our donors for their generous gifts and their support of our vision, ‘to create the opportunity, for all bright children, to access a Nottingham High School education regardless of background’.
We see first-hand how a sustainable bursary programme enriches the life of the School and of those who study here. The bursary programme attracts the brightest children, from different backgrounds, all of whom add to the fibre of the School and to its rich sense of diversity and inclusion.
We would like to thank our supporters who have given in the academic year 2023-2024 and acknowledge collectively those who wish to remain anonymous, as well as those who have chosen to leave a legacy to the School in their will. All gifts to the School, large or small, now or in the future, really do make a difference.
The 1513 Society has been created to recognise members of our community who have informed us of their intention to leave a legacy to the School. Throughout its long history, Nottingham High School has benefited from bequests, large and small. Gifts have enriched the life of the School and of those who have studied here, ensuring its continued growth.
The Astill Family
Mr Cliff Bacon (ON 1950-1961)
Professor Paul Bebbington (ON 1953-1963)
Mr Robert Binger (ON 1974-1984)
Dr Adam Bonnaray (ON 1988-1995)
Reverend Nick Bralesford (ON 1962-1972)
Mr John Brocklehurst (ON 1955-1963)
Dr Paul Brocklehurst (ON 1963-1970)
Mr Richard Brooksbank (ON 1936-1943)
Mr Jonathan Bullock (ON 1971-1981)
Mr Mark Clements (ON 1981-1991) and
Dr Sam Clements (Parents)
Mr Graham Colley (ON 1961-1971)
Mr Will Curtis (ON 1990-2000)
Mr Steven Dawson OBE (ON 1954-1965)
Mr Tom Downey (ON 1965-1968)
Mrs Pamela Duesbury (Wife of Former Staff)
Mrs Sam Ellis (Staff and Parent of Former Students)
Mr Tony Eltringham (ON 1957-1965)
Mr Chris Fielden (ON 1954-1961)
Mr Nick Greene (ON 1977-1984)
Mr Simon Hall (ON 1967-1974)
Mr Stephen Hardy MBE (ON 1959-1966)
Mr David Harris (ON 1968-1975)
Mr Simon Hathway (ON 1987-1994)
Mr Peter Hawkins (ON 1948-1958)
Mr Dan Hill (ON 2001-2005)
Mr Peter Hind (ON 1979-1989 and Parent of Former Students)
Mr Andrew Hine (Family of Pax Burgass (ON 1909-1919) and Douglas Arthur Burgass (ON 1912-1919))
Mr Alastair Holland (ON 1985-1992)
Mr John Holliday (ON 1942-1950)
Mr Alex Hull (ON 1951-1958)
Mr Chris Knowles (ON 1953-1960)
Mr John Lowrie OBE (ON 1948-1953)
Mr Hamish MacLeod (ON 1953-1957)
Mr Paul and Mrs Lisa Maddison (Parents of Former Student)
Mr Manpreet Mann (ON 1996-2003)
Dr Alex Masidlover (ON 1989-1996)
Mrs Philippa McNamara (Governor and Parent of Former Students)
Mr Desmond Montgomery (ON 1950-1960)
Mr John V Moore (ON 1942-1951)
Mr Peter Moore (ON 1958-1962, Former Governor and Parent of Former Students)
Mr Oliver Morrissey and Dr Vera Ralevic (Parents of Former Student)
Mr David Parker (ON 1967-1975)
Mr Stephen Pennant (ON 1965-1969)
Mr John Pilsworth (ON 1951-1961)
Mr Alan Reynolds (ON 1947-1952)
Mr John Roxby (ON 1951-1958)
Mr Michael Secretan (ON 1982-1992)
Mr Steve Shepherd (ON 1959-1969)
Mr Richard Stephenson (ON 1964-1971)
Mr John Stewart (ON 1953-1964)
Mr James Tamplin (ON 2001-2008)
Mr Nigel Tamplin (ON 1960-1970)
Mr Mervyn Walker (ON 1951-1959)
Dr Gail Walton (Governor and Parent of Former Students) and Mr John Walton (Parent of Former Students)
