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The thing I love most about Sedbergh is the ‘can do’ attitude embraced by everyone involved. It creates a particularly positive environment for pupils and staff. I think it sets the School apart from others, and is something that I try to incorporate through all aspects of my life.
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Archie Head of School, current pupil
When our founder, Roger Lupton, gave his lands for the education of the young, he sowed the ground with an understanding that every child has the right to be educated, such that they can contribute meaningfully to society, improve their quality of life, and foster personal growth. Originally founded as a grammar school for the young of the dales, Sedbergh now assists children from many diverse, national and international, backgrounds, enabling critical thinking, engendering a sense of intellectual curiosity, and where applicable supporting upward mobility, leading to a more informed and equitable world.
We are not about privilege. Our duty is to children from all walks of life and of all abilities. We add value to their lives, we empower, and we enrich. We set attainable standards, and we help them to rise to these goals, such that by the time they leave, those young shoots of aspiration and talent are well established in a firm and fruitful soil.
A Sedbergh education offers our pupils an unrivalled natural environment, dedicated and ambitious teachers, and the opportunity to study, play, and develop in an historic setting, and in the fresh and vibrant air of England’s northern hills.
Philanthropy has played an essential role at Sedbergh, and it is upon such foundations that it
has prospered. Since Roger Lupton in 1525, and at every stage of our development, the funds for expansion have been provided by generous friends without whom the School would not exist. Furthermore, the many opportunities that the School has provided to talented children have only been possible because of those in our global community who have contributed to the many supported places that are offered, such that financial disadvantage is not an impediment to opportunity.
As we celebrate 500 years since the founding of the School, we are more determined than ever to continue our Founder’s vision. We want Sedbergh to be known for the outstanding opportunities it brings to the young, irrespective of background. Sedbergh’s Campaign is ambitious. We seek to raise £50 million over the next ten years, such that we can continue to empower, enrich, and enhance, those that value a Sedbergh education and all it has to offer. But we cannot do it alone. We need your help so that the torch that was lit by Roger Lupton and delivered down the centuries, held high and with such veneration, can be passed to the next generation, and with our hopes for the future.
Dan Harrison
I think everyone who has attended Sedbergh is aware that the School fosters a unique environment. Students (perhaps unknowingly) develop a great deal of tenacity and resilience. I have found that these have been useful as I have continued through university and working life. In moments when you find that you are challenged, be that at work or in education, you find that inner-strength to keep going.
James Horan
Former Roger Lupton Scholar, Winder House 2012 – 2017
Sedbergh School is a place of scholarship and endeavour. Here, we keep our children younger for longer, we learn from our past but look to the opportunities of the future, we maintain a sense of playfulness and exploration, while creating an environment of rigorous academic study.
This campaign, launched in our quincentenary year, seeks to raise £50 million over the next 10 years to create more opportunities for talented young people to gain a Sedbergh education, and to enhance our historic site to meet today’s educational needs in preparation for our children’s future personal and professional lives.
Our Campaign Aims
Providing bursaries and scholarships for talented young individuals who would not normally be able to access a Sedbergh education.
Maintaining and improving the fabric of our historic buildings.
Providing the most advanced educational facilities and opportunities.
We invite you to give to the campaign area that you care about most deeply.
Ensuring that there are opportunities for all, irrespective of financial background:
• The Roger Lupton Scholarship and Bursary Scheme provides opportunities for talented pupils to develop to their full potential through a Sedbergh education, irrespective of financial background. Applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds are commonly nominated by adults with formal involvement in their lives, such as teachers and youth workers, through a recognised pathway. Successful applicants are supported through a fully funded place or offered bursarial support depending on circumstance.
• In addition, the Roger Lupton Scholarship and Bursary Scheme provides a Hardship Fund to ensure that current pupils who experience life changing events in their home life are given financial support to stay in School.
• Since 2012, we have been able to offer 45 fully funded scholarships, 12 of which are current pupils, at a cost of around £50 000 per annum. Such is the success of this scheme, that the number is now growing fast through a mixture of fully funded, bursarial and hardship support.
There are 79 pupils who have received Roger Lupton bursaries or are supported by the Hardship Fund. This is vital for those whose socioeconomic circumstances mean that a Sedbergh education could not otherwise be within their reach. It also means that families who face a sudden change in their lives through no fault of their own can know that their child will not face additional trauma by being taken away from familiar surroundings at such a critical time.
The School is now proud to launch its £30 million endowment appeal:
To ensure that we have perpetuity of support, helping each generation in their turn, Sedbergh seeks to raise £30 million towards a series of endowments which together will underpin the basis by which we can confidently provide for diverse needs, upward mobility, and equitable opportunity.
Sedbergh owes our existence to the generous endowments given by Roger Lupton. Over 500 years these initial endowments have been added to by those in our global community who have sought to ensure that the School continues to prosper, while remaining true to its founding values.
By creating a sizeable endowment programme, Sedbergh will ensure that the Roger Lupton Scholarship and Bursary Scheme will have the perpetual ability to offer supported places to those from all walks of life, such that financial disadvantage is not an impediment to the development of talent or opportunity.
500 for 500 appeal – to celebrate our 500th year we hope that 1,000 people in our community will feel moved to give £8.33 per month, or £16.66 if a couple choose to give together, £500 over 5 years per person. This will raise £500,000, enough to fund two Roger Lupton Scholars for 5 years.
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We have all come from different walks of life and I love that Sedbergh has given me and all the girls in my house such a bond. Being so far away from home can be difficult at times but there’s always been someone there to cheer me up and make me laugh.
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Curating the current site by renovating our iconic existing structures:
• Much of our School site dates from the Victorian era and earlier. These historic buildings, although beautiful in themselves, require major refurbishment to provide the dynamic learning spaces that our pupils need. As the School seeks to be carbon neutral by 2035 these refurbishments will play an essential role in creating a more sustainable School site with a lower impact on our natural environment.
• Sedbergh School Chapel provides a tangible centre to Sedbergh’s community, a physical representation of the School’s moral values. This historic building requires a rolling programme of investment to meet its conservation needs. At present the roof is in need of attention, however the Chapel will require ongoing funding to ensure that the fabric and furnishings remain intact.
• Sedbergh’s Memorial Cloisters, built in 1922 to commemorate the fallen of the First World War, require periodic conservation. The position chosen for this Grade II* listed monument, on an exposed Cumbrian hillside, has meant that the soft sandstone requires regular treatment to maintain the integrity of the structure and the memorial panels within. The full structure requires remedial works to prevent continued water ingress but there are also ambitious plans to provide a long term conservation solution.
• Powell Hall, the core central space where our School assembles to perform, socialise, celebrate, and learn, requires modernisation to meet the needs of our thriving School. The historic organ is no longer powerful enough to fill this lofty space with music and requires rebuilding. The fabric of the building will be reformed to allow greater flexibility of the space, while the historic elements will receive much needed attention.
• The Sedbergh School Library is an iconic landmark of the School. As our oldest building it does much to define us. Inevitably, ongoing restoration of this building is essential to maintain its integrity and so continue to be a place of learning and inspiration.
• The two pavilions, Knowles and Busk, have historically represented two of Sedbergh’s most long-standing sports, sat alongside our two great playing fields, recognised all over the world. They have been the launching pad for many international careers over the last century, and the buildings now need updating, providing more appropriate facilities for the modern age.
Replacement of the Chapel roof
£500,000
Renovation of Powell Hall, including rebuilding of the organ
£1 million
Maintenance and weather proofing of the Cloisters
Estimate: £150,000
Renovation of the Library
Estimate: £100,000
Renovation and upgrade of Knowles and Busk Pavilions
Estimate: £500,000
Providing the most advanced educational facilities and opportunities that underpin our learning environment:
• Sedbergh has great ambition to mark its position as one of the leading schools in the north of England in terms of curricular and extracurricular activities. A new Technology Centre is planned, providing leading education in AI, machine learning, and coding. This Technology Centre, together with investment in IT across the campus, will allow all subjects to benefit from technology in the classroom.
• The current Design Centre has been, for many years, a focal point of learning for more practical and creative skills, as well as for the appreciation of the arts. The Design Centre forms a cohesive space for those who wish to develop their talents in such areas and in recognition of this the Centre will be upgraded to create a dynamic learning environment to meet the contemporary educational needs of our pupils, showcasing design, art, and theatre.
• Sport is part of the central ethos of the School. We offer opportunities in a diverse range of sports. The School now looks to invest in padel courts, a golf swing studio, and a new girls pavilion.
• The Girls’ Pavilion will provide a focal point to celebrate girls sport, creating parity with our excellent facilities for boys.
• Sat alongside the sports facilities will be a new Wellness Centre so that pupils can be fit in mind and body. The Wellness Centre recognises the importance of supporting all aspects of our pupils’ health, while equipping them with the tools needed for the stresses and strains of later life.
Construction of Technology Centre
£5 million
Upgrade of Design Centre
£3 million
New Padel Courts
£250,000
New Golf Swing Studio
£250,000
New Girls’ Pavilion
£400,000
New Wellness Centre
£250,000
Empowering Young Minds Enriching Our Heritage Enhancing Education
Robertson Trust founded to create scholarships and bursaries
£4m endowment
Sedbergh is not about privilege. It is about the education of pupils from all walks of life. This is the true purpose of Sedbergh and has been since our Founder, Roger Lupton, first gave his lands in 1525.
Dan Harrison Headmaster, Sedbergh School
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The not giving up, the stoic Sedbergh attitude and enduring spirit are things that always help me in uncomfortable situations. It’s at these times when you need those qualities most.
Cameron Melville Former Roger Lupton Scholar 2014 – 2020
Mohammad Bashir who lived in an industrial town in the north of England was selected to receive a life-changing Roger Lupton Scholarship in 2017. Here Mohammad and his mother, Shanaz, reflect on the impact Sedbergh had on Mohammad.
Mohammad excelled at Sedbergh academically, physically and mentally. Mohammad is naturally a hardworking individual, a dandelion who can thrive anywhere. But Sedbergh provided an environment in which he excelled, grew in confidence, and matured into an individual who knows that by working hard he will achieve whatever he sets out to do.
The first time I saw Sedbergh School, nestled in the hills it quite literally took my breath away. Even now, years later I still get this tingling feeling when I come back to visit. The teachers and housemasters make it feel like coming home to family. “ ”
Shanaz Begum Mum of scholarship recipient
Sedbergh kept me busy all of the time, from when I woke up to when I went to sleep. I’ve kept that structure and now I make the most of every minute of the day. That’s one of the things that is done well at Sedbergh. Pupils learn to make sure they don’t waste a moment of time.
I’d like to thank the people who funded my scholarship from the bottom of my heart. It’s given me opportunities that I wouldn’t have experienced. I thank them immensely.
Mohammad Bashir
Former Roger Lupton Scholar Hart House 2017 – 21
Sedbergh does not exist in isolation. It looks to contribute to society through the education of young individuals, and by the values that are imbued in them while at the School. As such:
• We believe that where possible talent should be given opportunity, no matter the background.
• We believe in identifying and channeling need, enabling social mobility and equality.
• We believe in the perpetuity concept where those who receive an education at Sedbergh, whether funded or unfunded, should be motivated to help future generations in recognition of their own opportunity
Ever since our founder, Roger Lupton, made provision for the education of future generations, the School has looked to provide education and equality of opportunity, irrespective of background. This has only been possible through the generous philanthropy of those in the Sedbergh community.
We thank those who have already given so much to create opportunity, whether through scholarships or capital investments.
The School has great ambition and a great sense of duty to continue to deliver on its founding principles. But we cannot do it alone, we need your help. Every gift counts, small or large, every donation makes a difference to a young life. Together, the effect is transformational.
Here at Sedbergh we recognise that making a significant donation is a considered choice. Each of us want to know that our money is used to the best possible benefit, and for the cause that most moves us. Therefore, please feel free to contact me to discuss the many ways you might support the School, and the future generations of Sedberghians.
Jan
van der Velde
Director of Development
Sedbergh School
Sedbergh LA10 5HG jcv@sedberghschool.org 07714 677007
Sedbergh School is built upon the philanthropy of great men and women. Without their generosity there would be no Sedbergh School.
We value their contribution highly and celebrate their names in a variety of ways, such as their appointment to the roll of benefactors, attributing their names to School spaces and facilities, planting a tree in the avenue of remembrance, or the placement of a plaque in Akay woods.
Growing up in Africa, I connected with the wildness of Cumbria. Many schools in England give access to the great outdoors, but rarely to proper wilderness... which is what the environment that surrounds Sedbergh is all about.
Ben Morison Sedgwick House 1988 – 93
It is important to be surrounded by people of different backgrounds, so that you are aware of a life outside of your own. Sedbergh remains a unique school with a diverse range of pupils and opportunities.
Ella, Head of School, current pupil
The experiences available at Sedbergh are SO remarkable that the School, and those who support it, should be doing their utmost to make sure that they’re offered to the widest range of folks available. Ability to pay is only one measure of ability and the School has rightly sought all those who can contribute to the life of Sedbergh.
Lots of schools talk about community, inclusion, and belonging and their importance to their programme.
We get so used to hearing about versions of the thing, but Sedbergh lives the thing. Sedbergh IS community.
Jonas Peter Akins, Sedbergh Master 2001 – 2003
Former U.S Navy Intelligence Officer, including Senior Briefer to the Chief of Naval Operations and Secretary of the U.S Navy
James Horan, Former Roger Lupton Scholar, Winder House 2012 – 27 Solicitor, City of London “ ”
I would love to speak to those people who paid for my scholarship opportunity and to tell them that their generosity is truly appreciated; without it I wouldn’t be working in the role I am now. The gift of a scholarship doesn’t end when someone leaves the School but helps the scholar throughout their life.
Sedbergh School, Sedbergh, Cumbria LA10 5HG, UK.
Website: https://association.sedberghschool.org
Email: foundation@sedberghschool.org
Telephone: 01524 279217