Thomas Stevens founded the College in 1850 but at this time he was not in a position to provide for the future security of the school. In fact, his endowment to the school consisted of the land and buildings where the school lived, worked and played and the operating costs had to be met from fee income. Fast forward to the 90s, educational economics and expectations had radically changed, and something needed to be done to ensure the long term future of the school.
Ahead of the game in many respects, The Bradfield Foundation was created in 1990, a step subsequently mirrored by many other schools who did not benefit from the financial security provided by an endowment. The Foundation project was the brainchild of John Bodie (C 44-48) amongst others and Michael Stone (E 49-54) would become the first Chairman and a generous supporter of the Foundation initiative.
DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY HAS HELPED TO TRANSFORM BRADFIELD, ITS CAMPUS AND ALUMNI, AND CERTAINLY UNDERPINS THE COLLEGE’S CURRENT STRONG POSITION.
Dr Chris Stevens, Headmaster
Since its inception in 1990 the Foundation has raised a total just shy of £12 million, from 12% of Alumni and 19% of parents and former parents, with gifts ranging from £1 to £1.5 million. All the money raised has been in support of our strategic development priorities which have remained constant; securing a Bright Future for Bradfield through the provision of bursaries and enhancement of the College campus.
Every donation has helped to make a difference.
OUR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS SO FAR…
SPORTS COMPLEX (1994)
Project Aim
To build a first class multi-purpose sports facility for college and community use
Key Features
- Double-size sports hall which can be set up to accommodate any of: 8 badminton courts, 2 volleyball courts, 2 basketball courts, 2 indoor football pitches, 1 indoor hockey pitch or 5 cricket nets
- 6 lane 25m swimming pool
- Dance Studio
- Weights Room
Impact/ Benefit to the Pupils
- Sports lessons – 19 different classes use the sports centre across 19 periods in any week
- Co-Curricular Activities – include Gymnastics, Basketball, Cricket, Spinning, Swimming, Strength & Conditioning, Table Tennis
- Outside sporting activities the Sports Centre hosts events including Speaker Nights, Parents Evenings and is a back-up venue for Commemoration in event of poor weather
More Recently
- In 2014, the Sports Centre was enhanced with the addition of the new gym, reception area and changing rooms, increasingly the popularity of the facility with both pupils and the local community.
GARRETT LIBRARY (1996)
Project Aim
Conversion of the existing building into a dedicated library
Funding
The major donor was Edward Garrett (F 63-68), after whom the library was named
Key Features
- This library centralised all the resources from across the school, encouraging cross-disciplinary interaction with subjects and making things much easier to locate
- Over 20 years since 1996 the collection has grown to approx. 25,000 books
- With the rise of digital, approx. 1/3 of the library budget is now spent on online resources which can be accessed from anywhere on site and also from pupils’ houses and homes
- A qualified librarian has meant that the collection has been well-managed and promoted, and a love of reading instilled in the pupils
Impact/ Benefit for the Pupils
- The number of pupils using the space during the week (including evenings) ranges from 150 in quieter weeks to over 1000 in the height of revision season
- With the advent of IB and the emphasis on independent and self-directed learning, the library has risen in importance and plays even more of a central role.
- The Extended Essay and EPQ mean that the library is now a centre of research; the librarian teaches research skills to 6th form and the lower school
- Classes across most disciplines use the library for coursework-based lessons and for research projects
- The Library hosts an intellectual discussion group every week – the Diadati Society.
GOLF COURSE (1998)
Project Aim
Expansion of the existing 3 hole course into a 9 hole course designed by renowned golf course architect Donald Steel
Cost
£550k
Funding
£460k raised by the Bradfield Foundation
Key Features
Creation of a purpose built Golf course which remains one of the best School courses in the country, taking advantage of the natural beauty of the Pang Valley
Impact/ Benefit for the Pupils
Golf is the #th most popular sport in the College, with # pupils use the course on a weekly basis
INDOOR TENNIS CENTRE (2000)
Project Aim
Creation of a first class tennis facility that enabled year-round training for College and Community use.
Cost
£1.3 million
Funding
- £225k raised by the Bradfield Foundation
- £240k LTA – interest free loan, payable over 10 years
- £320k Sports England
- £515k Bradfield College
Key Features
- 3 indoor courts coated in a professional standard Plexipave surface
- Opened by Tim Henman in 2000
Impact/ Benefit for the Pupils
awaiting information
MUSIC SCHOOL (2004)
Project Aim
Enhancement and expansion of the existing music facilities
Cost
£1.9 million
Funding
- £145k raised by the Bradfield Foundation
Key Features
- 6 new practise rooms and enlarged existing practice space
- Recording Studio
- Computer Room
- 2 ensemble rooms
- Opened by the distinguished conductor, Sir Roger Norrington
Impact/ Benefit for the Pupils
- Awaiting information
More Recently
- In Autumn 2018 an iMac suite enabling pupils to xyz has replaced/ been added
AWP - CLAY PIGEON GROUND - PIT PAVILION EXTENSION (2008)
Projects
3 important projects to enhance Bradfield’s sports offering
Funding
- £95k raised by the Bradfield Foundation
Key Features
- The advent of the 2nd AWP meant that all hockey matches could take place on astro turf
- Clay Pigeon shooting became an additional sport offered by College
- Cricket matches became increasingly professional with the provision of a better scoring box and an electronic score board
Impact/ Benefit for the Pupils
3 important projects enabling more people to participate, in a wider range of activities, to a better standard
BLACKBURN SCIENCE CENTRE (2010)
Project Aim
Creation of a state-of-the-art and environmentally friendly Science facility, for pupil as well as local community benefit
Cost
£5 million
Funding
- £3 million raised by the Bradfield Foundation
Key Features
- 10 laboratories and 3 classrooms, enabling the teaching of all the scientific subjects – Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Environmental Systems and Societies in a purpose-built block.
- The Blackburn Science Centre provides a scientific hub within the local community,
- We host 60 primary schools children in twice a term doing a science experiment in Bio, Chem or Phys for 40 mins, as well as hosting a Prep School Science Challenge once a year attended by 20-30 prep schools.
- We also host 2 ‘Cafe Scientifique’ speaker nights a term, when external lecturers share their knowledge with local residents.
- Opened by David Blackburn (D 45-50), the majority donor, after whom the centre was named.
Impact/ Benefit for the Pupils
- Pupils are taught science in a fit environment; modern, light, well-equipped and Science has become an increasing popular choice, not least with the advent of the IB programme where pupils are required to study a science.
- This increased popularity, as well as increasing pupils numbers overall, however meant that Science Centre opened in 2010 was no longer large enough and therefore..
More Recently
- In the Summer of 2017, the Science Centre was re-configured and sixth-form friendly teaching spaces incorporated, so alongside the 9 large labs and 2 smaller labs, there are 3 classrooms with Harkness tables, a break-out room and a pupil/staff workroom.
- This new format has transformed the way that science can be taught at Bradfield, better enabling interactive learning, collaboration and problem-solving.
THAI GARDEN (2012)
Project Aim
Creation of a beautiful and tranquil garden to complement the conversion of the Headmaster’s tennis court area into a garden and communal space in the heart of the college.
Funding
The project was funded by Viravudhi Vajrabhaya, known as Vudhi, (E 56-61), the first thai boy to attend Bradfield, on behalf of the Thai Community
Key Features
- Designed by award-winning garden designer, Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall
- Opened by Vudhi himself
Impact/ Benefit for the Pupils
- Place for calm, reflection and to enjoy the natural beauty of the setting
GREEK THEATRE (2014)
Project Aim
Resurrection of Bradfield’s iconic Greek Theatre
Cost
£2.5 million
Funding
- £1.2 million raised by the Bradfield Foundation
Key Features
- Restoration of the existing stone seating
- Construction of a new extended and adapted skene (theatre building)
- New walk-way encircling the amphitheatre
Impact/ Benefit for the Pupils
- During their time at Bradfield every pupil will perform in this unique and atmospheric venue, be that in a performing arts production, the house song competition at Goose weekend or as part of the Bradfield Festival
- This space is also used for key events in the College calendar such as hand-shaking at the start of the academic year and Commemoration at the end
STUNT PAVILION (2014)
Project Aim
Rejuvenation of a much loved College social space
Cost
£650k
Funding
£250k raised by the Bradfield Foundation
Key Features
- Creation of a light and spacious coffee shop and community space with an outstanding view across the pitches
Impact/ Benefit for the Pupils
- Great place to catch up with friends during break times, enjoy post-match tea with your parents and come to on one of the many occasions that the pavilion is used as the venue for a college society event
- Once you have reached the top of the school, the Junior Common Room have exclusive use of the pavilion in the evenings
CLAY TENNIS COURTS (2017)
Project Aim
Introduction of high performance surface courts to complement existing facilities as well as increase capacity to play tennis all year round
Cost
£765k
Funding
- £30k raised by the Bradfield Foundation
- £240k 10 year interest free loan from the LTA
- £245k from BCEL
Key Features
- 6 high performance clay courts, outdoor social area and car parking facilities
- Opened by Gordon Reid MBE
Impact/ Benefit for the Pupils
- Increased pupil interest in tennis and the ability to play all year round
- The College have access to the courts Monday – Friday and there is an extensive co-curricular and performance programme, using over 70 court hours per week.
Additionally…
- The clay courts are in use commercially 38 weeks per year and are fully booked from 17:00 – 19:30 Monday to Friday.
- We host competitions on the clay 42 weekends per year, additionally we have hosted the Berkshire County Tennis Championships for 2 consecutive years and the relationship has been secured for a further 3 years taking our association up to 2022, as well as being the seat of the County boys and County girls teams.
GOLF INDOOR PERFORMANCE CENTRE (2017)
Project Aim
Creation of ‘one of a kind’ space in which to improve your game of golf
Cost
£165k
Funding
- £50k Legacy bequest from John Tyndall (H57-62)
- £9k OBGS
- £40k BCEL
- £66k Bradfield College
Key Features
- Trackman portable system
- Purpose build building to house the Trackman set-up, with space set-aside for the purchase of further simulators after a future fund-raising phase
Impact/ Benefit for the Pupils
- Year-round place to improve their game, formerly there was a seasonal dip November – May due to inclement weather.
- Pupils have been using Trackman since it was acquired at the start of the project, in 2016 and this has seen them to winning ways.
