Foundation Focus - Summer 2021

Issue Number 003 SUMMER TERM

FOUNDATION FOCUS I am delighted to introduce the summer term Foundation Focus. This edition explores the many ways of supporting the Foundation, through tax-efficient share giving, to gifts in memoriam. We also hear from a current Bursaries Programme pupil about their experiences at School and ambitions for the future.

Dominic Wallis (F 82), Foundation Board Chairman

I have enjoyed a long and happy association with Uppingham, from my days as a pupil in Fircroft. My children attended the School, and I currently serve on the Board of Trustees and as Foundation Board Chairman. My ambition as Chair is to help create some exciting new campus facilities that our children will be lucky enough to benefit from and to continue to broaden our vital Bursaries Programme.

The Headmaster and I are always interested to hear from those who might want to join the Board. We are looking for people with drive, enthusiasm and tenacity to push fundraising forward at Uppingham.

If you would like to know more about the Foundation Board, please contact Helen White – hw2@uppingham.co.uk.

Uppingham School Sports Centre, built with the support of the Uppingham Foundation

UPPINGHAM’S LATEST FELLOW In recognition of his outstanding contribution to Uppingham as a philanthropist and long-serving member of the Uppingham Foundation Board, Stephen Pearson (WB 77) has become an Uppingham Fellow – a title reserved for our most dedicated supporters.

Stephen Pearson (WB 77), Fellow of Uppingham

Stephen is one of three generations of the Pearson family to be educated at Uppingham; his father, uncle and brother are also West Bank OUs, his daughter was in New House and his nieces were in The Lodge. Over the years Stephen’s enthusiasm, counsel and personal generosity have made a huge difference to the School and the lives of those pupils who have benefitted from his support.

In February, he made his latest donation of shares to continue his support for the Bursaries

Programme. His gift will enable children who require significant financial assistance to study in the Sixth Form.

Stephen believes that it is vitally important for Uppingham’s pupil body to be enriched by the diversity the Programme enables, and we cannot thank him enough for his kind support.

Stephen has chosen to donate shares to the School. For donors, this can be a highly tax efficient means of giving and the Foundation is always happy to explore this option. If you would like to discuss giving options, please contact Vincent Gaten, Deputy Foundation Director, vg2@uppingham.co.uk.

GIFTS OF ALL SIZES Uppingham has an array of academic subjects and cocurricular opportunities on offer, and there are always ways in which philanthropy can creatively support school life.

Last year saw the culmination of a fundraising appeal in West Deyne, led by Housemaster Toby Makhzangi. More than 60 past and current families donated towards a new hardcourt playing area that will represent an excellent addition to the House for generations to come.

More recently an OU parent made a generous gift to fully fund the creation of Uppingham’s very own flight simulator. It will be ready at the end of the summer and available for any budding pilot to get a feel of what it’s like to take flight, without leaving the ground.

Cricket has also benefitted from two gifts from OUs, enabling the purchase of a spin bowling machine and performance analysis equipment. Their use will refine our cricketers’ skills, helping them perform at the highest levels possible.

More OUs, this time in the Veterans’ Rifle Club, gave £2,500 towards new rifles, with the Foundation matching their gift.

We are grateful for gifts of any size, and warmly welcome the opportunity to explore innovative ideas.

West Deyne

THE DONOR EXPERIENCE

Uppingham offers a variety of opportunities for donors to support projects they feel passionately about, whilst also complementing the School’s strategic plans.

Recently, we were contacted by Michael Christopherson (LH 49) who wanted to make a gift in memory of his late father, John Christopherson (Hf 23), a talented cricketer at the School almost 100 years ago.

In conjunction with the cricket department, we explored how the gift could be used, and ahead of the 2021 summer season, we took delivery of a state-of-the-art spin bowling machine. In recognition of this gift, combined with the family’s history of support for Uppingham, the terrace outside the Upper Pavilion will be named in memory of the donor’s father. We are exceptionally grateful to Michael and his family for their support.

Above: The Upper Pavillion in 1925 Left: JC Christopherson Gifts such as these are a brilliant way to have an immediate impact on the pupil experience, while fittingly remembering a loved one.

If you would like to know more about making a donation, please contact Vincent Gaten, Deputy Foundation Director at vg2@uppingham.co.uk.

MEET THE FOUNDATION TEAM I joined the Foundation Team in 2019 as a Foundation Manager. My background is in the charity sector, where I worked for a variety of well-known organisations including UNICEF, The British Red Cross and The Prince’s Trust. I joined Uppingham after a long career break at home with my children. Uppingham is an innovative, forwardthinking employer, and the School has warmly welcomed me back into the world of employment.

Helen White, Foundation Manager

This is my first role in the education sector and it’s an exciting time to be working at Uppingham.

Alongside the exploration of developing the campus with the addition of a new Sixth Form Centre, we are working to expand the outreach and scope of the Bursaries Programme. There is plenty of work ahead, but with the support of the OU and parent communities, I am certain we will meet the challenges.

A PUPIL’S VIEW

We recently caught up with a bursary pupil to find out about their experience of boarding at Uppingham What inspired you to apply for Uppingham?

I was inspired to apply for Uppingham because I know someone who had attended the School and I was keen to share the same amazing experiences she had. I wanted to try boarding as it would be good preparation for university and would provide me with more independence. After being shown around the School and seeing the facilities available to the pupils I was inspired further. I was thrilled when the opportunity to attend Uppingham was made possible with the help of a bursary.

You are nearing the end of your first year here, has the experience exceeded your expectations?

As a result of the pandemic my expectations of the Sixth Form were quite low owing to the effect it had on my GCSEs at my previous school.

However, Uppingham has exceeded those expectations and enabled school life to continue both academically and socially with minimal restrictions.

Outside of the education you have received, what are the other benefits you have gained?

I believe I have gained many skills since joining Uppingham. My confidence has

increased and I have improved my social skills, especially when meeting and talking to adults. I have had the opportunity to meet pupils from all over the world, which has also exposed me to different cultures.

I have played lacrosse for the first time, and taken part in conferences and societies, which have been fantastic.

How did you find boarding for the first time?

I haven’t been phased by boarding and feel that I have embraced it. Before Christmas 2020, when most of the UK was living with social restrictions, I was fortunate to be living and studying with a group of friends. I have benefited from the structure the boarding house provides and enjoyed taking on house responsibilities.

Has being at Uppingham challenged you?

I certainly feel I have been challenged academically at Uppingham, but this challenge has always been fully supported by the teachers. I enjoy the lessons thoroughly and like the creative approaches my teachers use.

I do sometimes find the timetable at Uppingham exhausting both academically and socially and always welcome a ‘lie in’ when the opportunity

arises! I could never feel lonely or bored at the School.

Most importantly, are you enjoying your time at the School?

I am thoroughly enjoying my time at Uppingham. Being at home between January and March 2021 was frustrating and I was very excited to return to the School and my boarding house, which is like a big family. I am enjoying my lessons and the atmosphere in them. Since joining Uppingham I have found everyone very welcoming.

What do you hope to do when you leave Uppingham?

I want to read law at university and I currently have a shortlist of Russell Group universities, which I will choose from later in the year.

And finally, your place has been funded by donors who have given to the Uppingham Foundation. Does this inspire you to help others have the same opportunity when you are successful in your career?

I am very grateful to the donors who have enabled me to study at Uppingham. This is certainly something I would be keen to do if I found myself in a position to be able to donate funds. Receiving a bursary inspires me to work harder. I find this a positive pressure as I want to do well for myself, my family and those who have helped to give me this wonderful opportunity.

Foundation Office, Uppingham School, High Street West, Uppingham, Rutland LE15 9QE Phone: +44(0) 1572 822216

www.uppingham.co.uk/philanthropy Registered Charity number 1147280. Registered Office: High Street West, Uppingham, Rutland LE15 9QD.