Woodhouse Grove School has provided education for boys since 1812 and for boys and girls since 1979. The school achieves excellent academic, cultural and sporting results and prepares its students well for the world beyond school. In this way it serves the wider public benefit. Its Christian (Methodist) foundation established a serving and caring ethos, as expressed in it’s motto “bone et fidelis”; its doors are wide open to children of all faiths and none.

With the demise of the Assisted Places scheme (phased out by the Labour Government since 1997) the school has provided means-tested bursaries to support families who would not otherwise be able to afford the fees the school has to charge. In the current year (2008/09) the total value of such means-tested awards exceeds £450,000. This helps approximately 100 children every year. In addition, Methodist families can apply for a means-tested bursary from the Methodist Church’s Central Bursary Fund. Through this and other trusts a further £60,000 is provided to support families who need financial help. A large proportion of the value of the school’s bursary assistance is provided through the income generated by the school through non-educational activities such as residential and other commercial lettings.

Several years ago the school established its Community Sports Partnership Scheme (CSPS). This meets the cost of coaching, equipment and transport for several local primary schools and some sports clubs. The school has provided a dedicated minibus for partners in this scheme and has raised additional funds to top up the CSPS from occasional fund-raising events, such as Sports Dinners. The school’s facilities are provided at cost and not for profit for several local community groups including church groups on one-off and more regular occasions.

In addition to the public benefit listed above, teachers from Woodhouse Grove provide their expert services as examiners for public examinations such as GCSE and A level; the school also provides guidance, induction and support for aspiring teachers following PGCE programmes at local universities.

D C Humphreys

July 2009