Merchant Taylors' Fund - Funding Areas
The Merchant Taylors' Fund currently supports three funding areas and an unrestricted fund. At the end of each fund year (September), donations made that have a particular designation are put to work in that area. Projects are selected that will have an immediate, positive impact on the lives of Merchant Taylors' School pupils. Below are the four funds and some examples of what has been achieved through past support.
Bursaries
Our main fundraising goal is to recommit to the School's founding goal of funding 150 boys with serious financial need. We aim to achieve the dual aims of excellence and accessibility and believe that no pupil should be dissuaded from attending Merchant Taylors' School on financial grounds. Bursaries are rigorously means-tested and are awarded to pupils who otherwise would not be able to attend the School.
Through Merchant Taylors' Fund support alone, we have already raised over £250,000 for bursaries. This equates to more than two 100% bursaries. To read an article about bursaries written by Stephen Wright, Head Master from 2004 to 2013, first published in Concordia, please click here.
Sport
You may wish to direct your support to Merchant Taylors' School sport. In the last few years we have funded a number of equipment projects. In 2013 we funded video analysis equipment. A 5 metre telescopic video tower enables remote filming of matches, allowing a large number of teams to review matches and improve learning and future performance.
In 2014 we raised enough money to fully equip a new Strength and Conditioning Suite in one of the old squash courts. The facility benefits the major sports in particular, but also any pupil who wishes to make use of the facilities. Director of Sport, Luke Foot, feels that this is an area that can really give our sportsmen the edge, both in terms of physical strength and speed, but also in injury prevention - extremely important given the number of fixtures we now play.
This summer we have funded new covers for the 1st XI cricket square - the existing covers were around 20 years old and showing their age. These old covers have now been refurbished and moved to the 2nd XI square. Given the quality of our wickets - good enough to attract the Australian Test side again this summer - having high quality covers is essential.
The Arts
Funding for The Arts at Merchant Taylors' in the last few years has funded drama and music equipment projects. Last year we were delighted to be able to buy audio visual equipment for drama. This means that the School no longer has to hire the equipment from external suppliers at great cost. It also means that the boys who operate the equipment for School performances have more time to practice.
We also funded the purchase of a number of percussion instruments for music which have been used by boys in all years in the School in their practical music lessons. We are hoping to raise enough over the next few years to replace the Grand Piano in the Great Hall. The Hall deserves an instrument of the highest quality.
Head Master's Discretion
Unrestricted gifts are very important. They provide the School with the flexibility to use the philanthropic support wherever the need is greatest. At the end of the fund year, the Head Master will select projects that he feels are of the highest priority for support. This ensures that gifts provide the maximum benefit to the Merchant Taylors' School community.
This year we have funded bus shelters at the Coach Park and the Manor Car Park. Until now, boys waiting for coaches or to be collected from the car park had to brave the elements; they can now get some shelter while they wait.
As part of the Design Centre project, the centre of the School site has been pedestrianised and a new lakeside road built which passes to the rear of the Modern Languages block and straight to the OMT Clubhouse. This meant removing the CCF Assault Course adjacent to the lake. The Annual Fund is supporting the building of a new CCF Assault Course during the summer break.
As part of our World War 100 project, we funded the restoration of a World War One Naval ensign from Gallipoli. The flag had been with the School since the 1950s, but was deteriorating in its existing frame. It has now been professionally restored and can be seen in the Great Hall War Memorial Lobby. For more information, please click here.
This year we have funded the digitisation of the Taylorian archive. From hard copies of the Taylorian dating back to the late-1800s a digital version is now available. Soon you will be able to view these online and they will be fully searchable, so you will be able to quickly find any mention of a particular OMT or event by logging into our site.
Funds have also been committed to support an outdoor seating and activity area in the courtyard of the Modern Languages block. We hope to include covered seating, giant chess, outdoor table tennis and other activities that will make it an attractive space for the boys to use during their recreational time.
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