DONOR IMPACT 2023/24

Building on Strong Foundations

Martin Johnson, COO’s Report

There is no doubt that our sector is experiencing turbulent times, and the Dragon, like all institutions, is not immune to the economic and political landscape. However, thanks to strong governance and prudent financial decision making, we are well placed to navigate the challenges ahead. 

Dragon School moved to Bardwell Road in 1895, yet it wasn’t until 2007 that the Governors acquired the freehold to the site. This gave us permanence and secured our future in this much-loved location; fifteen years later, we capitalised on this decision by restructuring our finances to a more favourable rate. At the same time, we have witnessed a growing generosity of both Old Dragons and parents, past and present, for which we are deeply grateful. 

Skipper’s, our state-of-the-art Music and Performing Arts Centre which opened in September 2024, exemplifies what can be achieved when these two pieces of the puzzle come together. Whilst there is no doubt that our financial position gave us the confidence to proceed, it would have been irresponsible to rely solely on our reserves for such a significant financial undertaking. Our Dragon community rose admirably to the challenge, with donations ranging from £50 upwards. Everyone who supported this project played an important part in bringing this bold vision to life; thank you.  

As we look to the future, our aim is to foster a diverse, inclusive community of learners. For over 20 years, our Transformational Bursary Programme has been underwritten entirely by donations. In today’s uncertain and ever-changing global economic climate, however, it is incumbent upon us to take steps to secure the Transformational Bursary Programme in perpetuity. An endowment of £15 million would yield sufficient returns to fund bursary expenditure at its current levels, and building this endowment will be our priority for the coming years. 

The bursary programme ensures a Dragon education remains open to all who can benefit from it, and it is our firm belief that our bursary holders bring as much to the School as they gain. By endowing the Transformational Bursary Programme and safeguarding the scheme against future uncertainty, we can be safe in the knowledge that this will continue well into the future.

THANK YOU

Our new purpose-built Music and Performing Arts Centre, made possible through the generosity of our community, is complete.

The Spirit of the Dragon

Frances Wheare, Director of Development and Social Impact

Over the past year I have been lucky enough to meet many Old Dragons and parents, and I am continually impressed by their passion and dedication to our School. In each conversation I get a little closer to pinning down that most indefinable of things, the spirit of the Dragon. For although our School is continually evolving, I do believe that there is something intangible that unites Dragons over the decades and gives weight to the saying, ‘Once a Dragon, Always a Dragon’. Be it our School values of kindness, courage, and respect; our commitment to free thinking; or our capacity to reach for the sun – the Dragon spirit is something special, and it is something worth preserving.  

There is a proverb of which I am very fond, that speaks well to the nature of fundraising: ‘A society grows great when old men plant trees under whose shade they shall never sit.’ Old men aside, the sentiment remains relevant today, nowhere more so than in the Transformational Bursary Programme. Having got to know some of the recipients of the scheme, it’s clear that a donation to the Transformational Bursary Programme is the seed that allows a child’s potential to grow. Watching our bursary holders thrive is a joy to behold, and we’re deeply grateful to everyone who makes this possible. 

At the heart of the spirit of the Dragon is a belief in the importance of joining in and supporting one another. And so, as we look to our 150th anniversary and to the years ahead, I invite everyone in our community to support the School at whatever level feels appropriate and achievable. It really is the case that every gift, from £10 a month to a single major benefaction, has a tangible effect on our School. Together, we can preserve the spirit of the Dragon for generations to come. 

Skipper Society

The Impact of Legacies

We know that many members of our Dragon community are not able to make a gift during their lifetime. Legacies present an opportunity for individuals to support the causes that are important to them while maximising support for loved ones.*  

During the 2023-24 academic year, the Dragon was fortunate to receive a number of legacies from Old Dragons and former staff members. One such donor, John Kirk (OD 1943), chose to leave an unrestricted legacy. John was a keen sportsman, described in the Draconian as a ‘hard-hitting batsman’ in cricket and ‘one of the most skilful [hockey] players in the School.’ Richard Parker (OD 1947), meanwhile, was a pianist, who regularly received praise for his holiday diaries and appeared in a Gilbert and Sullivan production. His wish was for his legacy to support the Transformational Bursary Programme. We are extremely grateful for these gifts, and to everyone who has supported the Dragon in their will.

The Skipper Society recognises those ODs, parents, staff and governors who have pledged to support the Dragon through a gift in their will. It recognises that every bequest, whether large or small, plays a meaningful part in securing Skipper’s legacy and supporting future generations of Dragons. We hope that you might join John, Richard, and many others, by remembering the Dragon in your will.  

* If you leave 10% or more of your taxable estate to charity, you can reduce the rate of tax paid from 40% to 36%. 

Pictured: Skipper with Dragon pupils, 1934