"What are you doing for others?"

Bedales School hosted a discussion on ‘The Power of Bursaries’ on 13 January, with two 6.2 (upper sixth) students, a Bedales teacher, and a retired independent school head. The panellists shared a common feature in their lives: they were all beneficiaries of a fully funded independent school place.  

Patrick Derham OBE was originally educated on the training ship Arethusa moored on the Thames, having been sent there alone from Germany as a young boy. When it closed a couple of years later, an anonymous benefactor funded a place for him at Pangbourne College where he subsequently became head boy. He then went on to read History at Cambridge prior to teaching.  

Rising to the rank of school Head, Patrick founded Springboard as a national charity in 2012, having initially set up the Arnold (bursary) Foundation at Rugby School. The Royal National Children’s Springboard Foundation’s purpose is to provide boarding opportunities for young people whose home circumstances are holding them back from achieving their potential. Their model is to work with other charities operating on the ground in communities with significant levels of deprivation. These organisations get to know families well to fully understand their needs. Springboard then uses this knowledge to match young people with one of their 130 partner independent schools, which includes Bedales. These partner charities provide ongoing support to bursary beneficiaries to help them adapt to their new circumstances, and support them in the holidays. 

Bedales Assistant Head, Clare Jarmy, who facilitated the evening, described the transformational effect of a full bursary on her life, sparking a passion for music which enabled her to gain a choral scholarship to Cambridge. 

The many benefits of bursary programmes were highlighted by the panellists, describing how they “open doors to a different world.” In the case of Patrick, his boarding bursary place had literally “saved him.” 

To help maximise success for beneficiaries, schools were encouraged by the panel to de-mystify their institutions, by explaining their many traditions and unique language. They should also ensure students have full access to the school’s offering through additional funding to cover co-curricular opportunities and extras as well as funding school fees. High levels of pastoral care to fully understand the needs and circumstances of individual students and their families is also crucial.  

Based on the students’ own experiences, they encouraged other beneficiaries to be themselves, to embrace wholeheartedly the rich curriculum and co-curricular offering (the Bedales theatre and trips were highlighted), to learn from these new opportunities and above all, to have fun. The Bedales students described how they had learnt to embrace both their school and home worlds. Patrick highlighted the ripple effect through their families and communities, and the significant positive impact on host schools who benefit from a much more rounded and diverse community. These schemes also enable schools to make a meaningful contribution to society more generally. 

Patrick ended the evening citing his six-word personal mantra, borrowed from Martin Luther King, which he uses to challenge himself daily: “What are you doing for others?” 

After the event, a Sixth Form Bedales student commented:  

“It was incredible to hear Patrick Derham’s story of receiving a full bursary boarding place and how that transformed his life. Hearing about the panellists’ lives made me feel even more lucky and privileged to be at this school. We discussed how the benefits and experiences that an education like Bedales can bring should not only be limited to those born into privilege and wealth, but should be available to those who would benefit from it most. This is what RNCSF seeks to do with schools like Bedales. It was a truly refreshing and unique evening to be part of.” 

Head of Bedales, Will Goldsmith added: 

“We are so grateful to the panellists for sharing their personal stories and speaking so passionately about the positive impact of bursaries in changing their lives. Members of the Bedales community are generous in their support of our own John Badley Foundation bursary scheme. We are committed to its growth and to working with Springboard and others to offer additional fully funded places so that more young people can benefit from such transformational opportunities.” 

There is more information about bursaries to Bedales Senior and Prep, Dunhurst including the application process here. 

Royal National Children's SpringBoard Foundation  | Bursaries at Bedales