WELCOME & WARDEN ’ S REPORT
key to the country ’ s long-term success . Not to mention the difficulty of knowing which skills will in practice best prepare young people for success in a world changing so rapidly .
This argues , to my mind , for a focus on developing the right mind-set and values — rather than offering quasivocational training for vocations which , with or without AI , may no longer exist in 10-15 years ’ time . Winchester has consciously offered a different approach to learning for many decades — certainly since I was in the school . What we offer feels both more important than ever and more remote from the conventional mainstream . This makes it crucial that
The Governing Body is committed to increasing the number of pupils benefitting from bursaries as rapidly as our finances will allow . we open up the opportunities which Winchester can offer as widely as possible . In their articles , the Headmaster and Bursar have rightly focused on our growing bursary programme — in particular the numbers now joining VI th Book from the state sector . We are attracting some remarkably talented new pupils at 16 +, as I know from meeting many of them over dinner in the Lodgings with visiting speakers . They provide a wonderful illustration of all that is best about our education — they are knowledgeable , diverse in their views , articulate but always courteous . In recent months they have provided lively and well-informed challenges to the Chairman of the Environment Agency on managing our water supply ( both quality and quantity ); to Mike Brearley on leadership in sport ; and to the Chairman of Historic England on handling treasures derived from Empire .
The Governing Body is committed to increasing the number of pupils benefitting from bursaries as rapidly as our finances will allow . Similarly , the admission of girls , the sharp increase in day pupil numbers , and the strengthening of our partnerships with local state schools are all designed to contribute to our efforts to widen access and ensure that we can offer places to those who will benefit most from our approach to education — irrespective of financial means .
Winchester can only touch directly a limited number of lives . This makes it even more important that we help our pupils to develop a sense of purpose and direction , rooted in values . How we deliver education may change , but not why . I hope that those lucky enough to spend time here will leave with a commitment to use their exceptional talents productively and through contributing to the wider public good . Everything I see when I am in Winchester , as I am most weeks during the term , suggests they will do just that .
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