HEADMASTER ’ S MESSAGE
acquired this degree of conversational skill and precocious consideration for others . I soon learnt , however , that this form of conversation — open , kind , curious — was typical of Wykehamists ; and over time , I learnt how effectively some of our most distinctive practices ( Div and House-dining foremost among them ) cultivated it .
I am happy to say that Wykehamists today continue to be accomplished conversationalists : not in the trivial sense of filling in awkward silences , but rather as young people cultivated to be curious , to listen and to seek new perspectives . Lunch up to House is one of the joys of a Headmaster and conversations in my first term have ranged across geopolitics , the design of jet engines , remedies for social and political polarisation , the breeding of exotic cockroaches , various sporting contests and why all pupils should be required to learn Latin or Computer Science , or singing or golf ( depending on the speaker ).
Some of my most memorable conversations have been with our newest pupils , particularly those who have just entered VI th Book . When asked what they are enjoying most , they have , without exception , volunteered the quality of teaching , remarking how it pushes them beyond the bounds of the curriculum or the expectations of examiners , and how it is taken for granted that they will share the passions of the historians or mathematicians or artists or linguists ( et cetera ) for their discipline .
For many this is a new and inspiring experience . One boy told me that he had come from a school where no-one was interested in learning ( or , perhaps , dared to reveal their interest ), and he had felt totally isolated from his peers . ‘ I thought I was the only one , and then I came here and discovered that everyone was like me .’ ( His shining eyes and broad smile have stayed with me .)
It is our aim this year to make over 140 bursary awards . This demonstrates the seriousness of the school ’ s commitment to widening access and is testament to the generosity of our OWs , our families and our many friends and supporters .
Culture is crucial in any institution , and we are fortunate that our ethos and culture of learning are so deeply embedded — a product , no doubt , of our long and storied history . Until that culture is available to all pupils in all schools everywhere , there is a particular obligation on us to ensure that as many as possible of those who would benefit from a Winchester education can do so . Many of the pupils who are most appreciative of a Winchester education are recipients of bursary funding . Last year we provided 118 pupils with £ 3.8m of bursary support , representing a substantial increase on the 2012-13 figures of £ 1.4m of support offered to 76 pupils . This demonstrates the seriousness of the school ’ s commitment to widening access and is testament to the generosity of our OWs , our families and our many friends and supporters . There are now strong
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