B U R S A R I E S
A T
W I T H I N G T O N
An Opportunity to
How a
FORMER BURSARY RECIPIENT
Joined WGS for Sixth Form in the 2000s. She now works as a corporate lawyer for a prestigious law firm.
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Up until joining Withington my experience of going to school had been a challenging one. It was only when I moved to Withington that I realised how different things could be. I only wish that I had known earlier that the kind of education Withington offers could have been an option for me. At Withington I immediately found myself in an environment where learning is celebrated and it was a very positive thing to be bright. As a WGS student I felt incredibly encouraged and supported academically, pastorally and by the friends I made there, some of whom have turned into friends for life. I was among young women who were just as interested in learning and in the world as I was. When I realised I might get good GCSEs, I started thinking about what might come next and through doing my own research
I came across Withington and realised that there was the possibility of financial support through the Bursary scheme. I successfully applied and was awarded a place on a full bursary. My parents were a little concerned about whether I would ‘fit in’ at the school as a student from a different background and they were quite worried about finances. Luckily, at that time there was a government grant available for disadvantaged students and I was able to use that to help. I also took on two part-time jobs. Going to Withington is one of the best things I have ever done. It was at Withington that my disability was identified, which meant I was given additional support. Suddenly, the struggles that I had had previously with my learning made more sense and I had such understanding and support from WGS staff.
ursary changed my life... Becoming a Withington student also meant that, for the first time, I began to take progressing on to further education seriously. This seemed like a natural progression for most Withington students and it felt as if it was something that I perhaps should have been considering much earlier on. A law degree seemed like the natural choice as during Sixth Form I had really enjoyed debating, public speaking and politics. During my degree I gained experience interning for law firms and an investment bank, gaining places on various internships. This led to the law firm I am with now offering me a position before I had completed my degree. I know what it is like to face the challenges of being disadvantaged and it’s one reason why I feel it is important to help others. I have always done volunteering and charity work,
but since becoming a lawyer I have undertaken pro bono work in human rights cases, mentored young girls from underprivileged backgrounds and continue to champion diversity and inclusion initiatives both internally at the firm and externally. I have learned that everything you have is a gift and it is important to help others and in particular, those facing additional challenges. Having the opportunity to attend Withington changed the direction of my life. Giving someone a bursary is also about giving them the confidence and a chance to believe in themselves. It means you are opening doors for girls who may not otherwise reach their full potential. I’ve never forgotten what the Bursary scheme did for me and how it has enabled me to develop. Without it, who knows where I might be?
Inequality in Britain is “now entrenched from birth to work” according to the Government’s Social Mobility Commission1. Privilege and deprivation have become more entrenched and a child's future career prospects are largely determined by their parents' careers. Children from professional backgrounds are 80% more likely to go into a professional occupation such as law or medicine than their less privileged peers, thanks to their connections and their stronger educational qualifications. Women can face a double disadvantage with those from working-class backgrounds paid 35% less than their male peers within professional occupations.
Geography can also be an important factor with the north of England being home to 90% of the most deprived neighbourhoods in the UK 2. Manchester features in the top five on the unenviable list of areas with the most deprived neighbourhoods, with 43.3% classed as highly deprived. The effects of the Covid pandemic will long be felt, with incomes and livelihoods affected as well as existing inequalities becoming even more pronounced. The spotlight has been thrown on growing educational inequality…
Opening up “There are serious concerns that the pandemic will push Britain’s young people under the age of 25 – the ‘Covid generation’ – into a dark age of declining social mobility because of rising economic and educational inequalities.” The Centre for Economic Performance 3
1
State of the Nation Report 2018-19, 2 English Indices of Deprivation 2019, 3 Covid & Social Mobility: CEP COVID-19 ANALYSIS 2020
Our
Withington has long held dear principles of social cohesion, diversity and inclusion. The Bursary Fund is integral to our school, consolidating our vision and ethos to create a warm community centred on equality and opportunity, irrespective of a pupil’s race, religion, social background and financial situation, ensuring that Withington retains its position as a true centre for excellence open to all. We know from experience that bursary students bring unique qualities to the school and help maintain the diversity that we have celebrated since 1890. Currently 1 in 6 of the pupils in the Senior School is supported by a bursary. A third of our bursary funding is directed to bursary recipients from the lowest income families who require support of 80% or more of the fees.
However, in recent years, the number of applications for bursaries has continued to grow and an increasing number of talented individuals are unable to take up their place at Withington as there is simply not enough bursary funding available. Our immediate aim is to increase our overall bursary provision to include 1 in 5 Senior School pupils, offering a range of bursaries awarded according to need and rigorously meanstested. This means providing funding for an additional 10 to 12 bursaries. Longer term our aim remains to achieve a 'needs-blind' admissions policy. Moving to 1 in 5 is another step to bring us closer to this goal. Regardless of the level of support that is needed, a bursary transforms the educational experiences and future opportunities for these individuals. By supporting these girls now, and increasing their opportunities for stronger educational qualifications, we are in turn investing in future generations of children in the North West and beyond.
This is Kea Bell, Withington’s Head Girl in 2019-20. Without Bursary support her journey would have been very different. Having been part of the Junior School, Kea was thriving in the Senior School and was involved in both sport and musical activities when in 2014 her mother, Paula, a nurse, was injured at work and was unable to return. Without support Paula knew she would have to find a new school for Kea. Kea studied Spanish, English Language and Music A Levels and has gone on to study at a music conservatoire. Her ambition is to become a composer for films and television.
I’m not alone –
“I was very stressed about it, very worried. I was encouraged by the school to apply for a bursary and eventually we were awarded 100% support. I was ecstatic! I was just so happy that Kea would be able to stay on at Withington through the Senior School.” PAULA Kea's mother
“The bursary means a lot to me. It allowed me to know that I’m not alone – because I’m a member of this community and it’s inspiring to know that there are people that I’ve never met that have my best interests at heart. A bursary is not just a one-time investment, it is an investment in our futures.” KEA Class of 2020
because of you
WGS - A History of Withington remains at the forefront of girls’ education in the way its founders intended, offering an exceptional quality of opportunity – academic, cultural, sporting and social – and encouraging independence of mind and high aspirations.
When the Direct Grant places ended in 1976, Miss Hulme, the Headmistress, founded the WGS Trust and the Bursary Fund was established.
“Whether we eventually go on to study science, language or the arts, or if we go to travel the world, go into politics or work in business, there are challenges and discoveries out there for everyone: how exciting the world beyond Withington is - I believe we can all play some part if we dare to dream.”
“In the early days, bursaries were provided to help those whose parents could not afford to pay the full fee and now it seems essential that a fund should be established so that the same provision may be made.” MISS HULME February 1976
FLORENCE Head Girl 2018-19
and Educational
Sandra Oelbaum, (Class of 1976), a Medical Director and GP, attended Withington under the Direct Grant scheme. She has been a long-term supporter of bursaries. She recalls that Miss Hulme impressed on pupils the significance of the newly founded bursary scheme in ensuring that a Withington education would continue to be available to girls, regardless of economic circumstance. In her role as a GP she works to support people in difficult circumstances gain access to the healthcare they need.
Why I donate to
“I’ve looked after many patients who have not been lucky, people who grew up in care homes, people who can’t really read and write, people who don’t have a home. As I’ve got older, these encounters have made me even more aware of how lucky I was to attend Withington. So, I’m a huge fan of the Bursary Fund, which can make a real difference to girls’ lives. That free place changed my life and I want the opportunity to come to Withington to be there for every girl who can pass the exam. Money shouldn’t be a barrier.”
the Bursary Fund
How our Bursari Bursaries are funded by a partnership between the school, our donors and the WGS Trust. The WGS Trust is a registered charity (no. 505207) with the principal aims of advancing the educational and charitable endeavours of the school. The Trust is the custodian of our donors’ generosity, investing the capital to provide sustainable, long-term support for bursaries. For further information on the WGS Trust, please see www.wgs.org/the-wgs-trust/ We don’t offer scholarships based on excellence or any automatic staff discounts. All our fee remission is for bursaries
based on financial circumstances to meet greatest need. To ensure that your generosity meets the needs of those who need it most, all bursary applications are assessed independently. The school’s Governors are investing in generations of Withington pupils by donating the equivalent of 4% of fee income each year to the WGS Trust for bursary provision, upholding the ethos of the school to maintain Withington’s position as a true centre of excellence open to all.
ies are “Donating to the Bursary Fund helps to maintain the diversity at Withington. It’s something that is a real focus of the school. The fact that people do donate helps to keep that alive; not everyone has to be from one background, everyone can come from anywhere.” MAISIE Bursary Ambassador
Means-tested bursaries as a % of gross fees
12.0% 10.0% 8.0% 6.0% 4.0% 2.0% 0.0% North & Midlands Day Schools WGS At Withington, on average, we offer more means-tested bursaries than comparable schools in our region and nationally, both as an absolute number and as a percentage of gross fee income4. 4
Baines & Cutler Customised Benchmark Report, April 2021
Girl's Schools, Nationally Median
Mean
Families seeking bursary support
Families seeking bursary support
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
In recent years, however, the number of families seeking bursary support has continued to increase.
2019
2020
Rachael’s two children were able to attend Withington because of Bursary funding. She explains the difference that this has made in the case of her eldest child, Deià, who completed her studies at Withington in 2020.
The bursary make
“We’re really proud that the bursary scheme has given both of our children the opportunity to learn in an environment that really values ability and effort. It’s been hard work for all of us but giving our children the best possible education was something that we strongly felt that we wanted to do. When Deià felt discouraged, reminding her that she’d been given this opportunity solely on her potential often gave her the confidence boost she needed. We wanted her education to be challenging, supportive and well resourced. That’s what WGS gave us. The confidence and skills developed during her time at WGS have made Deià very much her own person and we know that she has a fantastically interesting future ahead of her.”
es all the difference
How
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To move to 1 in 5 pupils receiving bursary support means finding provision for between 10 - 12 additional bursary students. Every single pound donated brings us a step closer to reaching this.
an help... Every donation, small or large, will enable us to inspire a young woman through offering her the opportunity of a Withington education – a real investment for future generations.
MAKE A REGULAR GIFT
By making a regular donation you are helping us to plan for the future so that we are better placed to ensure we can help as many girls and their families as possible. You can do this online at www.wgs.org/donate.
PARENTS FUNDING FUTURES
Parents can also make a Withington education a reality for another bright girl by being a part of Parents Funding Futures. You can do this by adding a donation to your fee invoice or direct debit payments. For more information, please contact us.
MAKE A SINGLE GIFT
You can make a donation online or download our donation form at www.wgs.org/donate
MAKE A GIFT IN YOUR WILL
We know that, even if they wish to, not everyone will be in a position to donate right now. Leaving a gift in your will is a personal decision and must, of course, take into consideration the needs of family and friends first. However, a legacy gift, no matter how small, will have a huge impact on the lives of future WGS students. When you pledge to leave a gift to us in your will, you will become a member of our Emily Simon Society. For more information, or to discuss in confidence, please contact us.
If you would like to discuss giving a bright girl an opportunity to shine through a Withington education, please get in touch:
LESLEY DOWDALL Director of Development E: ldowdall@wgs.org T: 0161 249 3491 W: wgs.org/development
“By donating, you are able to inspire a generation to feel that they are empowered and able to achieve anything that they put their minds to.” MAISIE Bursary Ambassador
Withington Girls’ School, Wellington Road, Fallowfield, Manchester M14 6BL T: 0161 249 3494 E: development@wgs.org WGS Trust - registered charity no. 505207