Downside Annual Report 2019 from the Prior Harold Wilson once said Benedictine values. This remains close to all that a week was a long time our hearts. in politics. My first year here as Prior Administrator Thus, although we are aware of the necessity at Downside has been of separating the Trust, we also see the benefit exactly the opposite and of allowing both the School and the Monastery has simply flown by. It has to independently develop and rebuild after a been a great privilege to challenging couple of years. It is important to be here and to work with emphasise that the Monastic Community will a monastic community continue to share and work in the life of the with all its inherent traditions seeking to renew its School whilst also looking to develop new lines role, whilst at the same time watching and sharing of work and income for itself. These will reflect in the joy and enthusiasm generated by the new our desire to develop Downside as a place where team running the School. more people can visit or spend time on retreat and share in our monastic traditions and heritage. As I write, we are putting the final pieces into position to complete the formal separation of One of the things that has struck me about the School from the Monastic Trust. This whole Downside is how many people have heard about process has taken far longer than I, and most the Abbey and School and yet many have never others, had envisaged. The lawyers, quite rightly, visited, even from our local cities of Bath and have needed to go into the most incredible Bristol. I would like to see, as part of our changing detail to ensure that both sides have considered vision, Downside reach out much more in and covered the many potential issues that arise sharing the rich heritage and beauty we have in proposing a lease for 125 years and at the hidden away here. Our Heritage Director, same time extracting both sides from a financial Dr Simon Johnson and our Outreach Officer, relationship that has been deeply complex and Steve Parsons, have already begun planning new entwined over many years. ideas for the monastery library and heritage centre that will develop existing and important Downside Abbey General Trust will continue links for our visitors and guests, and our research to own the property leased to the School and volunteers and friends at Bristol University. will need to effect regular repairs on some of these listed buildings. As we transform I believe that the future, whilst challenging, will also from one organisation to two, assets will be be an exciting and positive time for both School distributed according the needs of each and this and Monastery. I take the opportunity in this has necessitated the sale of some property and foreword to our Annual Report to thank all our other assets. It is an essential part of this process benefactors who have helped us in any way. We to ensure that the financial foundations of the are truly grateful and appreciative of all that you do independent school are on a sustainable footing for us and acknowledge that your help has made at the start. Although we are relinquishing the so much possible for both Community and School. governance of the School we closely and happily united in our joint mission to build a thriving school that continues on the bedrock of our \ 1 The Compton Organ The organ is one of the finest examples of John Compton’s work and is helped tonally by its situation in the Abbey Church and the wonderful acoustic. This, in turn, lends grandeur to the sound and makes for both a magical and moving experience for the listener. Tim Trenchard is continuing his ongoing endeavour to restore our magnificent instrument. The total cost of the repairs needed is £215,300. So far we have raised £28,300 which has enabled us to repair some of the manual chests and pedal chests as well as overhaul the console and keyboard. There are still lots NEEDED £215,300 of chests to repair which will also need the additional cost of scaffolding to enable access however, we hope that anyone with a special interest in preserving magnificent music in the Abbey Church will help us to continue. If that sounds like you please do get in touch. The Abbey Church On another note! We also want everyone to not only hear our fantastic music but also the liturgy celebrated every day by our Monastic Community. In recent years our PA system has been £28,300 RAISED woefully lacking and we are delighted to report that we have raised £45,695 to buy a new one. 2 / \ 3 from the head master Change is seldom respecting each other’s different gifts and interests, comfortable but it is forgiving their weaknesses. They have a well- certainly stimulating developed understanding of living in community and very often provides and making a positive contribution. They view The Father the spark for exciting their outstanding achievements as by-products opportunities. The last year of their commitment to give of their best. at Downside has not always These characteristics do not come about by Laurence been comfortable but it has accident, but are learnt and ‘caught’, from family certainly been exciting. and from school. Bursary Fund The year began with a visit from the School Downside families come from a rich mixture Inspectors, a high powered team, containing a of backgrounds. They are not drawn from wealth of experience and carrying considerable a particular social or economic group. The Launched in 2009 in memory of Father Laurence we are delighted authority. It included five members who common thread is a recognition that education to report that as we celebrate the first ten years of the Bursary are currently or have previously been Head is not a utilitarian transaction simply imparting Fund we have received over 1000 gifts and raised a total of Teachers. Recent years have taught us to information and training in skills but is the £1.8 million to help talented children from less well-off homes. welcome inspection. We enjoy being scrutinised process of forming the human person, equipping With more than 100 pupils relying on us for support at any one and view positively the opportunity to share him or her to live life to the full. It is this which time to make a Downside education an affordable option for our ideas and practice with others. The report makes my job as Head Master so a rewarding them, we need to build this fund even more. was extremely affirming and a tremendous and I want to take this opportunity to express endorsement of where the School stands today my thanks to all the parents who have entrusted and the considerable efforts made by all who and continue to entrust us with their children’s contribute to our school community, governors, education. I am particularly grateful also to staff, pupils and parents. It is, of course, essential those who have contributed towards the always to be open to opportunities to learn and Father Laurence Bursary Fund, which makes it grow and we have used the valuable insights possible for some our most deserving and most 10 years provided by the inspectors to develop further committed pupils to attend Downside. our educational provision. We are now reaching the successful culmination of The judgements made by School Inspectors are the process of splitting the School and Monastery enormously important and their impact cannot into legally and financially separate trusts. This be underestimated. The evidence used to reach allows us each to sharpen our focus on our distinct 1000 gifts those judgments is rightly focused on the progress purpose, whilst nurturing roots in common, firmly made by pupils and the outcomes they achieve. planted in the Gospel and the Rule of St. Benedict. As Head Master, it made me extremely proud to I am fully committed to ensuring that Downside see what a positive impression our pupils made on continues to be a school which supports and the Inspectors, as they do on all who join or visit challenges its pupils so that they make the most the School. Downside pupils, present and past, of their gifts and grow and develop within a £1.8m raiSed are notable for making it their priority to welcome community with Christ at its centre. others and put them at their ease, for being open and taking an interest in those they meet. They recognise the value of forming fruitful relationships, 4 / \ 5 In the days when the monks ran the School and drew no salaries they were able to offer means-tested bursaries from their surplus. THE GIFT OF EDUCATION Thank you to the parents of this year’s leavers who donated their deposits back to the fund and raised Annual Boarding Fees £9,500 £34,000 and to St Gregory’s Society who gave £16,000 from their surplus back to the School If 100 people give £10 a If 50 people give £50 a month with Gift Aid month with Gift Aid Together they will have funded 75% of a full boarding place for next year A 50% Bursary A full Bursary As the School moves forward as an independent entity our can be provided can be provided business model is rather different and we need your help even more to help children have a sure start in life infused with the values that will make such a difference.