THE WYKEHAM JOURNAL 2020
‘ Barriers of gender , barriers of wealth , barriers of place — we would like to attract more local pupils than we do and address our lack of diversity provision . This is about an ancient principle of transcending barriers , not about any modern principle at work . Equality brings choice .’
To this end there will be a 25 % increase in the number of bursaries for those who are bright enough to get into the school but can ’ t afford it , so that by 2024 , 150 pupils or 20 % of the school will be helped financially ; and there will be innovative new ways of reaching those who are less privileged . The Warden wants to change the school ’ s relationship with the local community . In addition to the bursary scheme , he advocates offering remote
Sir Richard Stagg
this , but the hope is new traditions will evolve rather than be imposed . There are no plans at present to take girls in the younger years , and there will be no changes to the number of boys who board , which will remain at around 700 .
Introducing girls in the sixth form will not necessarily bring drastic change to the curriculum , Dr Hands observes , drawing on his experience at Magdalen : ‘ Simplistic distinctions around gender are just uninteresting to me . Every child is unique . And I would say the same about what will happen in classrooms . It may be that the atmosphere does not change at all because the girls who join us are doing so because they like what they see . They don ’ t want that altered .’
What will alter is the school ’ s policy on accepting day pupils , and its bursary programme . These , along with admitting girls , updating the curriculum and expanding the school ’ s online learning provision to help state schools , are part of a much wider ‘ Winchester College in the 21st Century ’ programme .
As Headmaster , Dr Hands believes barriers are there to be transcended :
As Headmaster , Dr Hands believes barriers are there to be transcended : ‘ Barriers of gender , barriers of wealth , barriers of place — we would like to attract more local pupils than we do and address our lack of diversity provision .’
6