Welcome from the Headmaster
So often, the last thing that is done is the first thing people notice –the wrapping on a present, a medal at the Olympics, the grades on results day – and you might not immediately notice all that had to happen to get us there.
We have been delighted, this year, to welcome our first three fully-funded, transformational Foundation bursary students into the Sixth Form: it’s the start of the journey for these young people, but also the culmination of the work of our Development Office and Admissions Team, and the support of countless donors and friends of the school for well over a year. This included the brilliant, and remarkably sunny and not-too-windy Change Their World Sponsored Walk back in April which, on its own, provided funding for one of these bursaries for a Sixth Form place.
At the time of writing, we are embarking on a new school year, and reflecting on a remarkable year just passed. We have enjoyed some superb examination results, building on our Sunday Times Parent Power 2024 entry as one of the leading schools in the North West, a triumphant return to the Lowther Pavilion stage with Little Shop of Horrors,
international engagement and trips through Round Square, and some strong and exciting performances in regional and national sporting competitions. But it’s the individual stories that mean the most, on every level, and we are proud and delighted to be able to extend these opportunities to more and more people across our communities and, through our Foundation, to change the world for young people so that they can go on and change the world for others. To everyone who has made that difference and continues to make that difference: thank you.
David Harrow, Headmaster
From our Director of Development
It is with great pleasure that I present this year’s Impact Report, showcasing our collective achievements and the meaningful impact we are making both in school and with our local communities.
Over the past year, we have continued to connect with alumni from our heritage schools, as well as graduates from AKS Lytham. Supporting alumni as they reconnect and reminisce is always a joy. Our alumni community has also played a crucial role in supporting Senior School and Sixth Form students through career education and mentoring, both in-school and online. Their guidance is invaluable in preparing our students for life beyond school.
This year, we reached a significant milestone with the success of our first donation week, bringing our bursary fund to £184,399. We are thrilled that, through these combined efforts, the Foundation will support its first cohort of fully-funded transformational bursary recipients - three bright and talented new students who will join AKS Sixth Form to pursue their A-Levels. We look forward to supporting these young people as they realise their potential and become part of the AKS community.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all our supporters and donors. Your generosity and commitment have made these achievements possible and, together, we are creating lasting change for future generations.
Message from Foundation Patron, Richard Frediani
The Foundation is supported by 11 Patrons who represent notable alumni and leaders from each of our heritage schools who support us to share our vision and endorse our ambitions.
We are delighted that Notable Alumnus and Editor of BBC Breakfast and BBC News at One, Richard Frediani, has been appointed as a Patron to the AKS Lytham Foundation. As well as sharing our vision for the Foundation, Richard also featured as a keynote speaker at the AKS Futures Fair in November and shared with our students a fascinating insight into his career.
Sarah Walton, Director of Development 01253 376040 sarah.walton@akslytham.com
‘I am honoured to support the AKS Lytham Foundation because often a helping hand early in life can make a huge difference to a child’s prospects. The foundations of my career began in the years I spent at King Edward VII School. The Foundation can help give youngsters that same opportunity and have the potential to repay that support many times more by what they go on to contribute to society.’
Financial Details
How our heritage enabled the Foundation’s launch
Over the years, the Arnold School Development Fund (ASDF) has contributed towards major projects such as the refurbishment of the Cricket Pavilion and the OAKS Hall, along with historic bursaries at Arnold School. A bequest and interest paid on the fund (from United Learning) increased the total to £180,000.
In 2019, AKS Governors and United Learning allocated ASDF funds to establish the AKS Lytham Foundation and Development Office. This initial investment in setting up and staffing resources has been instrumental in the Foundation’s success, which now surpasses ASDF’s original contribution. We are delighted to report that since the AKS Lytham Foundation was launched on 5th May 2023, £184,400 has been raised in donations for the Bursary Fund.
Statement of Financial Activities 2023-2024
£23,988 Legacy Gifts to the Bursary Fund
£3,670 Educational trips for existing AKS Bursary Students
£184,400
TOTAL FUNDS RAISED SINCE LAUNCHING ON 5th MAY 2023
*2024 Accounts have yet to be audited
£156,742 Donations to the Bursary Fund
Thanking our Supporters Donor Roll
We are enormously grateful to our donors who have supported the Foundation since its launch in May 2023 resulting in a year that exceeded all our expectations.
Major Donors
Since launching on 5th May, we have raised
£184,400 in donations for our Bursary Fund
The following donor has gifted £50,000 or more to the AKS Lytham Foundation and will be entered onto the new Major Donor Wall which will be installed in the entrance to the Senior School this September.
• BookCheck Ltd on behalf of Mr Anthony Pilkington, Old Lidunian
Founding Donors
The following donors have gifted £2,000 or more to the AKS Lytham Foundation and have been entered into the Benefactors’ Book which is location in the Senior School Reception.
• The Old Arnoldian Association
• Dr Josephine Venice Curry, Old Arnoldian
• Mr Ian Gledhill, in memory of Mr Keith A Gledhill MBE DL, both Old Arnoldians
• Mr Phil Owen, Old Arnoldian and AKS Lytham Chair of Governors 2019 to 2024
• Mr Bill Gillen, Headmaster of Arnold School 1993 to 2003
• Mr Michael Greenwood, Old Lidunian
• Ms Sarah Hanks, Queen Mary Alumna
• The Old Lidunian Association
• Mrs Elizabeth Bickerstaffe, Queen Mary Alumna
• The Queen Mary Association
• The Beaverbrooks Charitable Trust
• Questa Chartered Financial Services Ltd
• BookCheck Ltd on behalf of Mr Anthony Pilkington, Old Lidunian
• The George’s Garage (George and Masie Blackburn) Charitable Trust
500 Donors to AKS Donation Week
The following donors donated £500 or more during Donation Week from 28th April to 3rd May 2024.
• Old Lidunian and AKS parents
• Mr David Stanhope, AKS Lytham Chair of Governors, and Mrs Marie-Claire Stanhope
• Mr John Armfield, Old Arnoldian, and Mrs Julie Armfield
• Mr Geoff Darby, Old Lidunian
• Mr Bob Barclay, former parent
• Mrs Carol Webb, Friend of AKS
• Mr Andrew Jones, Old Arnoldian
• Mr Marcus Clowes, Friend of AKS
• St Annes Lodge at the Masonic Hall in St Annes
What Your Donations Will Support from September 2024
AKS Lytham Foundation Bursary
Recipients joining AKS Sixth Form
Thanks to alumni and supporters of the school, we are thrilled that, through our combined efforts, the Foundation will support its first cohort of fully-funded transformational bursary recipients from September 2024. These bursaries won’t just cover tuition fees; they also ensure all additional expenses are taken care of, giving recipients the support they need to excel and thrive.
Three bright and talented new students will join AKS Sixth Form to pursue their A-Levels. We look forward to supporting these young people as they realise their potential and become part of the AKS community.
Support for existing Bursary students with co-curricular trips
AKS currently provides bursary assistance to over 40 students across Senior School and Sixth Form.
While this support covers school fees, there are times when financial barriers prevent bursary students from accessing additional opportunities.
In alignment with the wishes of our donors, the Foundation is extending its support to ensure that existing bursary recipients can participate in both curricular and co-curricular trips. One such opportunity is the Argentina and Uruguay Rugby Tour in July 2025. Thanks to approved funding, a small number of bursary recipients will now be able to embark on this once-in-a-lifetime journey.
AKS Donation Week 2024
We hosted our first ever Donation Week from 28th April to 3rd May 2024, with students, alumni, parents, governors, staff and friends raising £30,532.28 towards transformational bursaries. Donation Week was a celebration of what makes AKS so special and was testament to the importance to the AKS community of bursary support for current and future students.
£30,532.28 raised for Sixth Form Transformational Bursaries
Donations ranged from £10 to £10,000 and every £ made an impact
120 participants completed the 5 or 10 mile Change Their World Sponsored Walk
Members of the community from 11 countries visited the Donation Week platform
415
alumni, parents, staff, governors and friends visited the Donation Week platform
Change Their World Bursary Appeal
Transformational Bursaries
The mission of the new Bursary Appeal for the AKS Lytham Foundation is simple: we aim to provide life changing opportunities through educational bursaries for talented, local children who might otherwise not be afforded the chance. By investing in their education, we envisage not only transforming their lives but also empowering them to be catalysts for positive change in their communities and beyond.
At AKS Lytham, we believe that every child deserves equal opportunities to thrive, regardless of their circumstances. Yet, with only 14 out of 40+ current bursaries covering 75% of fees, the AKS Lytham Foundation aims to bridge this gap. Our goal is to offer fully-funded transformational bursaries from Senior School through to Sixth Form. These bursaries won’t just cover tuition fees; they also ensure all additional expenses are taken care of, giving recipients the support they need to excel and thrive.
This ambition will require us to raise £1.3 million for the Change Their World Bursary Fund over the next few years.
The Impact Journey: How Change Begins
Michael Greenwood, an alumnus of King Edward VII School (1958-1965), established the Maplewood Trust to support young people in achieving their goals. Now, this fund is part of the AKS Lytham Foundation, enabling existing AKS bursary students to participate in co-curricular trips, despite financial constraints.
Mike reflects:
“I was lucky enough to pass the 11+ exam and gain entrance to KES, a school my parents could never have afforded. I was also fortunate to pursue my passion for Chemistry and to know I wanted a commercial career after University. But the real luck was having the support of excellent teachers, Government funds, friends, colleagues and a host of other support mechanisms. My business life took me around the World, highlighting how lucky I was to have these opportunities. Most people are born without really knowing what they want to do or what they might be good at and need a trigger to excite them and give some direction. Very often that trigger is provided by financial support at the right time to give them the opportunity to either find a goal or start to reach it.
I started the Maplewood Trust to help, but soon realised the AKS Lytham Foundation was better positioned to reach deserving young people. This relationship has worked well for me and allows me to donate at the level I can afford whilst AKS finds those who deserve it and gives me feedback on the support they receive. In addition, this gives me the confidence that the much larger legacy I will leave will be spent in the right way after I’ve gone.”
A Sixth Form bursary student reflects on their 2024 London trip facilitated by Mike:
“The London residential trip was a very valuable opportunity as it allowed me to broaden my horizons on the history of one of the greatest cities in the world.
I particularly enjoyed exploring the history stored within The British Museum with my friends. I was fascinated by the Mesopotamian innovations that shaped human progress.
Most importantly, I have made some long-lasting memories with my friends, which will stay with me for a very long time. I am very grateful that I took part in this wonderful trip.”
Join us in supporting the AKS Lytham Foundation
There are many ways to support us through donations of funds, time and expertise.
Single gift*
We welcome single gifts of any amount. However, donations of £2,000 or more will be entered into our Benefactors’ Book displayed in our school reception and the first 50 donors will be recognised as Founding Donors of the Foundation. Please contact our Director of Development for more information.
Regular giving*
Donors are encouraged to give regular amounts to support children throughout the school. Though a gift of any size is appreciated, we welcome £20 a month as a starting point. Collectively giving like this means that the whole AKS community can take part and share the benefit of giving children the opportunity to be educated at AKS. To make a monthly donation, please visit https://oaksconnect.com/ supportus
Sponsor a student*
We welcome donors who effectively sponsor individuals, particularly at Sixth Form level. This is an opportunity to support young adults with talent and determination, who understand that their place is offered with philanthropy and who recognise the relationship between the donor, school and their own family.
Within two years, a donor can see the difference their gift can make in transforming a 16-year-old with ambition, into a young adult ready for the world. Donors can support 110% of fees for a Sixth Form student either individually or as part of a group. Please contact our Director of Development for more information.
Corporate Giving**
Partnering with the AKS Lytham Foundation offers your company a valuable opportunity to make a positive impact, whilst benefiting from potential tax relief. As a UK-registered charity, donations to our Foundation could be deductible from your taxable profits, which can reduce your Corporation Tax bill and lower your company’s taxable income accordingly. By supporting our Foundation, your
company would not only be helping to shape the future of young people, but it would also demonstrate your commitment to social responsibility, along with enjoying potential financial advantages.
Leave a Legacy
Leaving a legacy gift to the AKS Lytham Foundation in your Will is one of the most powerful and lasting gifts that can be made. Leaving a gift in your Will may be more feasible than making a current gift and can have tax advantages. Once you have made provision for your family, we would be delighted if you would consider supporting the AKS Lytham Foundation.
We understand that circumstances change. You do not need to let us know the value of your planned gift and it will not represent a binding commitment. When pledging a legacy, you can decide where you want your support to go. Making a Will is a very personal matter and we assure you that your plans will be held in the strictest confidence. Including a legacy in your Will is a simple matter, although we strongly advise that you take professional legal advice. Please talk to our Director of Development for more information and a confidential discussion.
Gifts of Time and Expertise
Support students and fellow alumni with careers education and mentoring . At AKS, our diversity of excellence extends throughout our community. We are delighted to welcome alumni, parents and friends to share their time and expertise with students and fellow alumni. Please contact our Director of Development for more information.
*UK tax-paying donors may be eligible to include Gift Aid on their charitable contributions.
**To ensure accurate application and compliance, we recommend consulting with a tax advisor to confirm how these benefits apply to your specific situation and adhere to current HMRC guidelines.
Development