Flourish Appeal
The Flourish Appeal aims to raise financial support for boys from families who would otherwise be unable to afford an independent education. Gifts to the appeal will fund 20 transformational bursaries, opening doors for talented young men from all backgrounds to access a life-changing opportunity.
Together we Thrive
The appeal is about more than financial aid; it’s about shaping the future of our school. Bursaries enable us to identify and support exceptional individuals who will reach their full potential at Bedford.
Support from donors ensures that our school remains accessible to all who have the ability and ambition to thrive here. Donations don’t just provide financial assistance; they allow us to invest in the potential of young men who will go on to make significant contributions to society.
Donations of all sizes can make a profound difference, to find out more contact our Philanthropy Team.
The Impact of a Bursary
Alex Papp
Before joining Bedford School, I attended a state primary school up to year. My parents encouraged me to apply for a bursary to join Bedford School where I made a lot of great friends, some of whom I am still friends with to this day.
Bedford School gave me opportunities, and it gave me imagination. It gave me freedom to explore/try out whatever I wanted, and it gave me a platform to showcase this exploration.
I am a composer now and have had pieces performed in venues across the UK such as Wigmore Hall or the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Without the bursary, I would not have been able to attend the school. It changed my life.
*Photo Credit: Anjulie Chen
Jay Safdar
Before Bedford School, I attended a local state school in Luton.
For my parents, immigrating from Pakistan to the UK in the 1970s was all about securing a better future for their children. Getting us into the best schools possible was their way of making that sacrifice meaningful.
Design & Technology was my favourite subject, and I still remember a classroom poster about the Design Cycle. I knew immediately that it was the career path I wanted to pursue.
Without the bursary, I wouldn’t have had the opportunities that led me to work for some of the world’s biggest companies (American Express, Amazon, HSBC, Barclays) and best British brands (John Lewis, EE, and AllSaints).
Quite often, in rooms full of senior Marketing or Business professionals, I find myself the only person of colour or from a low-income background. But Bedford gave me the ability to keep up in those rooms—not just academically, but in confidence, curiosity, and the ability to engage with people from all walks of life. It gave me the foundation to thrive in spaces that might have otherwise felt inaccessible.
Leroy Knowles
Growing up in a single parent council house, I was the youngest of 4 children and my 3 elder siblings all left school without doing GCSE’s. In fact, where I grew up, people generally left school by the age of 16 as that was all they knew, and I was destined to follow the same path.
Life changed for me when Bedford School showed belief in me and offered me a Bursary to attend the school.
Not only did a Bursary give me access to an outstanding, including high-quality facilities, it offered me holistic development through the extracurricular activities, leadership and personal development opportunities, helping me grow in all areas and preparing me for life beyond the classroom. It also gave me friends for life.
Having now had a successful career in banking for over 20 years, I have no doubt that all that I have experienced and accomplished in life is all down to the generosity of others.
To pay it forward, I have contributed to the Bursary fund at both Bedford School and Oxford University. I am a proud ambassador for social mobility, and I am also a mentor for numerous charities which focus on providing disadvantaged and state educated children with guidance and opportunities.
