Report by the Chair of Governors
I am pleased to introduce the Charity’s Annual Report describing the activities of our two schools, Eastbourne College and St Andrew’s Prep, over the year. Everything we do as a charity is for the benefit of those we educate. We proudly devote much of the Annual Report to setting out the achievements of the 1,000 pupils from nursery to A-levels. At St Andrew’s Prep, the Scholarship Set collected 17 awards, all but one to the College. CAT scores show 85% of pupils are working at or above expected levels in English, Maths and Science, and the scores are even higher in other humanities and language subjects. I congratulate the pupils in Years 11 and 13 at the College for their hard work and excellent results. At GCSE more than half the grades were 9 to 7 (A* or A) and 21 pupils achieved a clean sweep of grades 7, 8 or 9 which appears to be a record high since GCSEs were reformed. At A-level, almost one in every four pupils (22.5%) achieved a clean sweep of A* or A grades, including in the Extended Project Qualification. There remains a wide range of co-curricular opportunities that demonstrate the full depth of education and community that we achieve. At St Andrew’s Prep highlights include Madagascar (per- formed by Years 5 and 6), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (performed by Years 7 and 8), the Summer Serenade and the Dance and Drama Showcase. The U13 girls are national IAPS tennis champions, while the hockey and cricket remain the very strongest on the circuit for both boys and girls. At the College, 90% of pupils have taken part in about 750 fixtures and more than 30 are playing or training with professional clubs or on national pathways. The choir is larger than ever (55 pupils), and many participate in the orchestra, Jazz Leap, Singer-songwriter and house singing and drama competitions. We had a fifty-strong cast for the complex College play, Sweeney Todd. There are nearly 300 members of our CCF continuing the strong tradition of military success, more than 150 pupils took part in Duke of Edinburgh awards; 135 Year 12s volunteered for service work such as Roy’s Homework Club and the Chaseley Trust. The Charity’s fee income continued to grow with pupil numbers holding approximately at 2022–23 levels and our external lettings programme continuing to make a valuable and increased contribu- tion. We have experienced inflationary pressures across the cost base but striven to maintain a strong control of costs. Overall, the Charity made an operating surplus (surplus before interest and depreciation and excluding donations) of £2,122k, a slight reduction on the previous year, but still well ahead of 2021–22 and a pleasing outcome that meets our target for surplus generation. All of the E ach year the governors approve the Charity’s annual report when they meet in December. The report sets out the Charity’s financial performance and the many achievements of the College and St Andrew’s Prep pupils. My introduction as chair follows and the full report is available on the College’s website at https://www.eastbourne- college.co.uk/about-us/structure-of-the-school. Most importantly, our pupils are thriving in all areas of College life. However, as you will read in my introduction, and in more detail within the annual report, the effects of the new government, in common with other independent schools, are starting to be felt. Senior management and the governing body have been working on organisational changes to ensure the Charity’s continued financial viability while preserving the excellence of education provided by our two schools. Fundraising to support our bursary provision has never been more important, and with the help of the Blue Sky Bursaries Appeal (www.blueskybursaries.org) we can continue to provide a transformative education for those who would not otherwise be able to afford it. If you would like to find out more, or how you might be able to help, please do contact the Eastbournian Society office at es@eastbourne-college.co.uk.
Nicky Eckert
surplus is reinvested in the Charity for the benefit of our pupils. Following the Labour Party election victory, the imposition of tax on independent school fees from January 2025, and the removal of mandatory business rates relief from April 2025, we now face an environment that will present financial challenges as adjustments are made. VAT on inputs that were irrecover- able can now be, at least partially, reclaimed. The Charity must maintain its financial resilience whilst continuing its commitment to maintaining educational excellence, but we are very much aware of the pressures that are also faced by our parents. The College was established in 1867 ‘to provide a general education of the highest class’. Both schools strive to live up to that founding principle. We want to increase our ability to provide support to those pupils whose parents cannot afford our full fees. Our long-term target is to increase our restricted and endowed funds supporting bursaries from £10m currently to £30m. The Blue Sky Bursaries Appeal, launched with a showing of the Caffè Sospeso film at the St Andrew’s and College Speech Days, aims to fund 40 places a year. The appeal offers a variety of ways to become involved, including a weekly donation of £3.50 a week, the price of a cup of coffee. The need for bursary support in the current climate is vital, to ensure that as many pupils as possible can benefit from all that the Eastbourne College Incor - porated schools have to offer. During the year 151 pupils, 16% of the total, received some assistance with their fees through means-tested bursaries. The Governors greatly appreciate the support of a number of trusts and individuals who, in addition, contribute to the fees of seven current pupils. We also value the commitment of our Devonshire Society members who have promised to support the Charity in their wills. On behalf of the Governors, I thank Tom Lawson and Tom Gregory, our two Heads, Abbey Gough, our Chief Operating Officer, as well as the over four hundred staff who teach at and support the two schools. I cannot write my first Chair’s report without thanking Philip Broadley, who retired this year after 24 years as Governor and seven years as Chair, for his outstanding service. Eastbourne College Incorporated has thrived during his tenure which included the extreme stress of the pandemic. Finally, I thank our parents for supporting the Charity and entrusting the education of their children to us. Nicky Eckert 9 December 2024
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