culford campaign brochure

JOHN H SCHAAR

BUILDING ON EXCELLENCE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

The future is not some place we are going, but one we are creating,the paths are not to be found, but made. And the activity of makingthem changes both the maker and the destination.

Campaign for Culford

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CICERO“What greater or better giftcan we offer than to teachand instruct our youth?

Boarding Houses, Science, Drama, Music and Sport have all benefited enormously from superb newfacilities but we still wish to enhance provision further. We intend to cement Culford’s position ofexcellence and drive things on to the benefit of all pupils now and in the future.

In 2012 the following projects were identified within our Strategic Development Plan:

• A New Library• A Refurbished Hastings and Skinner Teaching Facility• A Second Girls’ Boarding House• A New Kitchen and Dining Facility• A Redeveloped Art Department• A Restored Culford Hall

Our ambition is to provide facilities at Culford that allow children to maximise their potential, whatevertheir talents. The projects we plan will enhance our pupils’ learning, creative expression, pastoral care and,most importantly, overall enjoyment of their school experience.

Achieving all of these goals requires an investment of £4.75 million. The School intends to meet £3.1million from existing gifts and current and future revenue; indeed, we have already succeeded incompleting Phases I and II of the new girls’ boarding House and have entirely refurbished the Ashbykitchen complex. Our challenge now is to raise the remaining £1.65 million required through gifts anddonations.

We have been exceptionally fortunate to have already received apledge of £250,000 from a generous Old Culfordian. I have alsobeen delighted to pledge a gift myself, as I know that these newfacilities will transform our pupils’ experience and I feel proud tobe able to contribute towards that.

I hope that you will share our vision and help us realise it byparticipating in the Campaign for Culford.

Julian Johnson-Munday MBA MA

Headmaster

FROM THE

Headmaster

BUILDING ON EXCELLENCE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS 3

Over the last seven years Culford has undergone a remarkable transformation and ourgrowth from 570 to 700 pupils has confirmed our position as one of the leading schoolsin East Anglia. Our vision of an education that is challenging, enriching and fun hasbeen hugely successful. Culford has a strong reputation for outstanding pastoral care;for pupils achieving their very best academically; and for an exceptional range ofsporting and extra-curricular activities.

4 CAMPAIGN FOR CULFORD

What we have achievedSince our last appeal was launched over tenyears ago, Culford has made huge strides indeveloping and maintaining its facilities.


With generous support from benefactors Culford nowbenefits from:

• The William Miller Science Centre• Astroturf for Hockey and Tennis• A Language Laboratory• The Sports and Indoor Tennis Centre• The Studio Theatre• The Music School refurbishment• Restoration of the Billiard Room and the Beech Room• Restoration of all the stone balustrading on the

North Front of Culford Hall with an ongoingprogramme of refurbishment in place.

Prudent financial management of our resources hasalso enabled the School to:

• Refurbish three Boarding Houses at a cost of £3m• Open a new, purpose-designed Nursery• Provide a superb £25,000 Nursery playground• Re-roof the Hastings & Skinner teaching buildings• Create a rehearsal studio for music• Open a new Girls’ Boarding House in 2012, as

part of a phased development• Refurbish entirely the Ashby kitchen complex

in 2012.

In addition, much has been done to bring our 480 acreestate into the 21st century:

• A new electrical system has been installed at acost of £400,000

• A new water supply, pump-house and pipeworkhas been put in at a cost of almost £200,000

• A new bio-mass heating system providessignificant environmental and economic benefits.

There is no doubt that Culford has been extremelyfortunate over the past ten years. We have benefitedfrom the generosity of many Old Culfordians, parentsand friends of the School. Our finances are in goodorder and are prudently managed while schoolnumbers and boarding have grown significantly.Pupils are achieving academic and sporting success atall ages and the arts thrive throughout the School.There is much to celebrate and we are optimistic andexcited about the future.

We now seek to build on our achievements with thesupport of our alumni and friends. Our aim is toensure Culford’s continued growth and success forfuture generations.

The following pages describe the key projects whichform part of the Campaign for Culford.


A New LibraryOwing to the significant growth in pupil

numbers, our current Library in Culford Hall is no

longer adequate and is poorly located away from

the classrooms. We intend to build a landmark

Library at the academic heart of the school, next

to the main Hastings and Skinner teaching blocks

and nearer the Houses.

We also intend to refurbish the teaching facilities

throughout the Hastings and Skinner buildings,

including a new entrance with a landscaped

garden, terrace and pathways leading to the

William Miller Science Centre and beyond.

At an estimated cost of £2,200,000, the new Library

will provide exceptional study facilities, including a

flexible lecture theatre. It will provide an inviting space

where pupils are keen to go and study; an

environment which will support their ability to learn,

share ideas, research and investigate; and a place

where they can fulfil their potential as independent

learners.

Estimated project cost of the Library: £2,200,000

Estimated cost of Hastings & Skinner

refurbishment and landscaping works £650,000

“ “The Library is thetemple of learningand learning hasliberated morepeople than all thewars in history.

CARL T. ROWAN



A Second Girls’ BoardingHouseBoarding at Culford has grown strongly and in 2011 the

School announced the planned opening of a new girls’

boarding House in the space occupied by two day

Houses. Phase I saw Fitzgerald House open with 30

boarding beds in September 2012. The School intends to

fund all this development work from revenue; a total

investment of over £1 million across three years.

The new House will offer all the modern facilities parents

and pupils expect for boarders; and allow complete

integration for day pupils who will all now belong to a

boarding House.

Estimated project cost: £1,075,000 of which £750,000

has already been invested in

Phases I and II


“

“

Tell me and I forget.Teach me and Iremember. Involveme and I learn.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN


A New Kitchen andDining FacilityThe Ashby kitchen and dining complex is now 40

years old and we have outgrown its facilities. The

catering team prepare and serve over 1,250 meals

each school day, as well as providing match teas,

packed lunches, formal luncheons and occasional

grand-scale dinners.

During the summer of 2012 the kitchens were

completely redeveloped to meet all our catering

needs, at a cost of £500,000, and we now intend

to refurbish the dining area to offer a better eating

and social space for pupils, teachers, colleagues

and visitors alike.

Estimated project cost: £100,000


A Redeveloped ArtDepartmentThe Art department is a special place at the heart of

Culford. Pupils produce outstanding works of art and

deliver some of the best GCSE and A Level results in the

School. The Art department lacks the display space our

pupils’ work deserves, and the classroom and storage

space they need. We plan to remodel the building to

create a new entrance gallery which will offer a stunning

space for displays of pupils’ artwork. The gallery will lead

into a light and airy teaching studio with a new glass

panelled roof, French windows looking towards Culford

Hall and comprehensive storage areas for art materials.

Estimated project cost: £400,000

These artist’s impressions show how the remodelled Art department might look. The aim is to improve thelight and display space by creating an impressive new gallery at the entrance and remodelling the largeground floor studio, including a new roof and glass doors that open out towards Culford Hall.


“ “The greater danger formost of us lies not insetting our aim toohigh and falling short;but in setting our aimtoo low, and achievingour mark.

MICHELANGELO


A Restored Culford HallWhile much of the Hall has been refurbished in the last

five years, creating superb new performance spaces for

both music and drama, a number of rooms still need

similar care and attention. Some need to be upgraded to

enable modern-day use by teachers and pupils; others

need to be lovingly restored to their former glory to realise

their full potential for wider use. Culford Hall is a gem few

other schools can match; as custodians, our ambition is to

complete its restoration and preserve its special beauty for

future generations.

Our aim is to restore several rooms, including The

Workman Library. It has been a library ever since Culford

Hall was completed in 1591 and it may have been in this

room that Charles, 1st Marquis Cornwallis (1738-1805),

spread out his maps and made his plans to take the

American colonies back from the rebels, before his defeat

at Yorktown in 1791. From 1935 until 1974 this room was

the Library for the School, as depicted in this cartoon.

Once the Workman Library is restored, we will use it as a

visitors’ meeting room and to display some of the

wonderful artefacts we have in the School archives,

currently housed in the cellars in the Hall. Other rooms for

restoration include the teachers’ Common Room, the

current panelled Library and those in the Hartley wing.

We also wish to create a professional kitchen in Culford

Hall. Currently, all catering requirements, from formal sit-

down luncheons for up to 350 people through to buffets

on Speech Day or House dinners, are provided from the

kitchens in Ashby. It is therefore an immense challenge to

cater for any event and a fully functioning kitchen would

improve our offering to pupils, parents and visitors

immensely.

Estimated initial project costs: £325,000


Cartoon of The Workman Library by Alan Crosland(OC 1945 – 1953) which first appeared in The Culfordian (Spring 1953).


“ “By the time they leaveschool every boy andgirl should know howmuch they do notknow and be imbuedwith a lifelong desireto know it.

SIR WILLIAM HALEY


Why Donors Help CulfordWe could not have achieved much ofCulford’s transformation in recent yearswithout significant help.

Former pupils and friends of the School have helpedto revolutionise what we are able to offer today’spupils. We cannot now imagine being without theWilliam Miller Science Centre, the Indoor TennisCentre or the Studio Theatre. In Culford Hall thegenerosity of an anonymous Family Trust has meantwe have been able to systematically restore the roofand balustrade of this extraordinary historic building.

These wonderful donations have helped to cementCulford’s future. They have helped us to attract newpupils, encourage pupils in their talents and inspirenew passions in them. For this, we will remain forevergrateful.

Why do people choose to help us? Everyone has adifferent story to tell. Usually it comes back to a loveof the place itself, an inspirational teacher fondlyremembered, or what Culford helped you or yourchild to achieve; and underlying this, simply thefeeling that you want to give something back.

“While I always appreciated the education Ireceived and very much enjoyed my time atCulford, it probably was not until later in mylife that I recognised the largerole that it had played in mysuccess. I came om a modestfamily background; I knewwhen I started at Culford thatI had to make my own way andI took full advantage of whatCulford had to offer.

Funding the William R. MillerScience Centre was my family’s contribution tocontinuing the outstanding education that wereceived and that pupils today are receiving atthis school. It is my tribute to a greatHeadmaster, Dr John Skinner, and my personalrecognition of all that Culford means to me. Ihope that when you are in a position to do so,you too will support Culford, so that futuregenerations may have the benefit of receiving thesame first-rate education.”

William R.Miller CBE (OC 1940 – 1946)

“I believe I owemore to my time atCulford even thanto my universityyears in preparingfor later life. Withmy wife Judy’straining in thetheatre, and ourlifetime active

enjoyment of both theatre and music, we weredelighted to be able to help the School in thedevelopment of the Studio eatre and the MusicSchool. We hope that many who have benefitedom a Culford education will want to support theSchool in the important and exciting next phaseof its development.”

David (OC 1947 - 1951) and Judy BeechPerformance in theStudio Theatre

Chemistry in action in theWilliam Miller Science Centre


I still remember driving into Culford for the veryfirst time and being struck by its beauty. Sincethat day I have grown even more impressed bywhat the School does and by what the pupilsachieve; it is an extraordinary and specialeducational environment as well as a beautifulestate.

Culford is now at a very exciting stage ofdevelopment. Enhancing our pastoral, creativearts and teaching and learning facilities is key toensuring that our pupils have the best opportunityto realise their potential. All the Governors aredetermined to achieve thisambition and every one of ushas committed to theCampaign for Culford bymaking a gift within ourmeans.

We very much hope that youtoo will decide to support theCampaign. Your participationwill make a real difference andevery gift counts.

“Culford has played an important role inour lives and those of our two daughters. ewealth of opportunities which the Schooloffers today is quite remarkable. eaddition of a landmark Library issomething that will undoubtedly transformthe academic life of the School further still.We are delighted to support the Campaignfor Culford.”

Tony Crane (OC 1969 – 1978, Governorand Chair of the Foundation Committee)and Louise Crane (née Partridge EAS/OC1971 – 1979), parents of Kathryn (OC2004 – 2011) and Alice (OC 2004 – 2012).

FROM OUR

Campaign SupportersProf. Roy SwanstonChairman of Governors

Why does Culford need financial help withthese projects?Culford is not a wealthy school and, unlike a numberof our competitors, does not have a large historicalendowment. Although we are a strong, well-managedschool our modest operating surpluses do not provideus with the level of capital or, indeed, bursary, fundingrequired.

Prudent financial management means that we havesucceeded in investing over £5 million in the manydevelopment projects that have taken place duringthe past 10 years. Over the next three to five years weseek to invest an additional £4.75 million to furtherdevelop our facilities; we need your support to helprealise our ambitions for our pupils’ benefit.

Why does Culford need these new facilities?We are ambitious to offer the best possible educationin the best possible environment. Parents choose tosend their children to Culford because it offers thebest education for them, in an environment that ischallenging, enriching and fun. Schools which fail tolook to the future risk living in the past; and the bestschools do not stand still.

Culford employs outstanding people to teach anddevelop young people. But teachers need the bestresources, and pupils need outstanding facilities inwhich to learn, grow, develop existing talents anddiscover new ones. Our ambitions for our pupils havenever been higher; we need the facilities to matchthem.

Why do you need a new Library? Why can’tyou live with the one you have?The current Library is not adequate. It is too small andpoorly located, away from the academic hub of theSchool and the Houses. The new Library will meet theneeds of growing pupil numbers, support new ways oflearning and provide the latest technology forresearch and scholarship. It will be at the academicheart of the School, easily accessible with extendedopening hours.

There will be plenty of glass in the new Library,inviting pupils to see others working, debating,reading and researching; and encouraging them to bepart of that activity. The building will allow pupils todevelop their skills of independent learning. It willprovide spaces for small groups to meet to exchangeideas, learning together; offer quiet places forindividual reading and research in print or online; andhave a flexible lecture space that can accommodate awhole year group.

Who will benefit from these developments?The projects outlined in this brochure will benefitevery child at Culford. Access to the stunning newLibrary will be available to all and the refurbishmentsto the kitchen, dining room and Culford Hall are tothe advantage of everyone, including the widercommunity. The Prep and Pre-Prep are also workingon their own development plans and the Headmasterand Governors are equally committed to ensuring thatthese too will come to fruition in the fullness of time.

WhyWe Need Your Help


The estimated cost of the projects encompassedby the Campaign for Culford amounts to £4.75million; we have £3.1 million in place,contributing some two-thirds of the project cost,available from current and future revenue anddonations.

Our aim is to raise the balance of £1.65 millionthrough a fundraising campaign. The success ofour campaign is critical to ensure that we cancomplete all the facilities that we wish to providefor current and future generations.

• New Library at a cost of £2.2 million

• Remodelling, refurbishment and landscapingto the adjacent Hastings and Skinner teachingfacilities

• Refurbished Ashby Dining Room

• Remodelled Art Department

• Refurbishment of key rooms in Culford Hall

Our Goals

FAQ

I left Culford some years ago.Why should Ihelp with this Campaign?Culford is a charity: and all education is a gift. Manyof our alumni who return share with us their stories ofCulford and many credit it for setting them on thepath to the successes they have met later in theirlives. Many talk of the teaching they received and theskills they learned here. Others speak of lifelongpassions for art, literature, theatre, sports or musicshaped by patient teachers.We very much hope thatyour experience at Culford and your pride in yourschool makes you wish to give generously to the newgeneration of Culfordians.

I am a Culford parent. I already paysignificant school fees; why should Icontribute?Asking parents for assistance is a sensitive matter. Pleasebe assured that we do recognise that, as current parents,you are already making a substantial investment inCulford. However, like many other independent schools,we cannot achieve all our goals without financial helptowards future developments.We know that our parentswant the very best facilities for their children; your helpwill enable us to achieve those facilities much morequickly than we otherwise could.We only ask thateveryone considers making a gift within their means.

If you are prepared to help, there are many ways togive, from regular monthly donations through tomajor gifts with appropriate opportunities forrecognition. More information can be found at theback of this brochure. If you wish to help but cannotdo so now, you might consider leaving Culford alegacy in your Will. Every member of the Executiveteam has pledged to support the Campaign; we verymuch hope that you will wish to join us.


Our aim is to ensure that Culford continues tomeet the needs of new generations ofCulfordians, sending them out with a passion forlearning, and sowing the seeds of their success.The developments we have planned will alsoensure that Culford itself remains a success and aschool of which our community and our alumnican be proud.

We hope that something within this Campaignstrikes a chord with you and that you will wantto help, for whatever reason.We also hope thatyou know you are always a welcome visitor here;this remains your school and we are alwaysdelighted to welcome you back to it.

The Frequently Asked Questions section belowseeks to answer some of the questions you mayhave. For more information, please contact theHeadmaster or the Foundation Office team.

For more information or to discuss thecontents of this brochure, please contactthe Foundation Director on 01284 385306or the Headmaster on 01284 385302.


We do understand that not everyone will be in aposition to help now. We do hope, however, thatthose who are willing and able will give within theirmeans. The School will be very grateful to receivedonations and pledges of any value; your gift, at anylevel, will make a difference to Culford and futuregenerations of pupils.

Tax Efficient GivingCulford School is a registered charity which offersdonors a variety of financial advantages.

• Under the HMRC Gift Aid rules, if you are a UKtax payer, Culford is able to claim back the basicrate of tax paid on all donations. If you sign a GiftAid declaration we will receive an additional 25pence for every £1 that you give to Culford. Inaddition, if you are a higher rate tax payer, youcan claim the difference between the higher rateof tax (currently 40% or 45%) and the basic rate(currently 20%) on the total 'gross' value of yourdonation to Culford.

• If you choose to donate shares or property youcan save 40% capital gains tax and deduct the fullvalue of the shares or property from your incomefor tax purposes.

• If you choose to leave a legacy to Culford, anysuch bequest will be free from inheritance tax.

Making A GiftThere are many ways in which potential donors maychoose to support the Campaign for Culford,including several options which will ensure that yourgift is recognised in a permanent form. These includenaming opportunities within the Library, the 20:12Club and the Donor Tree. Further details may be foundin the enclosures at the back of this brochure.

A regular donation, made by setting up a StandingOrder or Direct Debit, may be more affordable than aone-off gift and adds up significantly over time.There is no minimum period for such gifts but thetable below gives an indication of how thecombination of regular monthly gifts, across a threeyear time period, together with Gift Aid, can add upto a significant sum and prove to be extremely taxefficient for a UK tax paying donor.

There are many different ways tocontribute to the Campaign for Culford.For more information or an informaldiscussion, in confidence, pleasecontact Mrs Jo Johnson-Munday, theFoundation Director, on 01284 385306 oremail: [email protected]

How You Can HelpOur target is to raise £1.65 million over the next three years; our aim is todevelop a network of support that will help Culford plan for the future. Inorder to achieve this we need your help. We are seeking financial supportfrom the Culford community, past and present, as well as from externalTrusts and other funding organisations.

Monthly donation Total Received Gift Aid Claimed Total Value to Culford Tax Relief for higher Net Cost of Gift toacross 3 years from Donor by Culford of Donation with rate tax payer higher rate tax paying

Gift Aid at 40% or 45% Donor at 40% or 45%

£250 £9,000 £2,250 £11,250 £2,250/£2,810 £6,750/£6,190

£100 £3,600 £900 £4,500 £900/£1,125 £2,700/£2,475

£50 £1,800 £450 £2,250 £450/£560 £1,350/£1,240

£25 £900 £225 £1,125 £225/£280 £675/£620

£10 £360 £90 £450 £90/£110 £270/£250

£5 £180 £45 £225 £45/£55 £135/£125

Example Gift Table

Please note that although we believe the information above to be correct at the time of printing, tax regulations do change frequently;Culford School and the Foundation Office can accept no responsibility if donors rely on the information contained within this brochure.Please consult an independent tax adviser, accountant or HMRC direct for the most up-to-date information and guidance.

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A good education isthe greatest gift youcan give yourself oranyone else.

MAHTAB NARSIMHAN



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Believe you can andyou're halfway there.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT



Bury St EdmundsSuffolk IP28 6TXTel: 01284 385310www.culford.co.uk

Registered Charity No: 310486Administered by Culford School Trustee Company Ltd No: 5609905

www.bainesdesign.co.uk A56014

culford campaign brochure

Documents

years culford

future generationsthe

future revenue

pupils experience

pupils learning

new girls

school experience

new library