More than 2500 specially selected boys and girls have passed for the first time through the impressive gates of Lord Wandsworth College in Hampshire feeling both nervous and equally lucky. Known as Foundationers but never identified as such, these pupils are the fortunate beneficiaries of a legacy that was created by a wealthy Victorian banker, Sidney Stern (Lord Wandsworth), on his death in 1912. Lord Wandsworth had originally envisaged the establishment of an orphanage but the trustees of his will developed his vision to focus on education as well as care.

 

The college is a coeducational day and boarding school, set in 1200 acres of Hampshire farmland and despite many changes over 100 years, it still delivers care and support to children who have lost one or both parents, just as Lord Wandsworth himself planned nearly a century ago.

 

A Foundationer today can expect to go through a rigorous selection procedure to ensure that college and pupil are right for each other. Foundation Director Tony Eysele explains: “Our criteria are clear – our Foundationers have all lost the support of parent(s) through death, divorce or separation and we continue to give priority to those who have been bereaved.

 

"When we receive an application form, we arrange a home visit to all suitable applicants; this gives us a good insight into the child’s home life and family situation. Then the child visits the school for an assessment and meets the headmaster, the chaplain and houseparents. Our final decision to offer a place is made jointly and is based on the needs of the child and their ability to thrive at the college.”

 

Of course this begs the question: “How is the Lord Wandsworth Foundation funded?” With 50 Foundationers in the college, and the inexorable rise in school fees, the organisation is under pressure to maintain financial stability into the future. This is where the college’s development office is starting to make a difference.

 

A fundraising campaign, launched in 2005 with former pupil Jonny Wilkinson as its patron, is starting to attract much needed funds. LWC’s Development Director, Kate Chernyshov comments: “The work of the foundation is at the very heart of the college and we have tremendous support not only from former Foundationers, but also from current parents and staff. We have no doubt that the existence of the foundation over many years has shaped the supportive and inclusive community at LWC.”

 

The college recently played host to former Foundationer, Johnny Johnson,who featured in a 2008 Channel 5 documentary, The Last Dambuster. Johnny first came to LWC as a Foundationer in 1933 after his mother died when he was young. He grew up on a farm in rural Nottinghamshire and his home life, as one of six children, was tough. He was expected to follow his siblings into the life of a farm labourer at the age of 14, but a far-sighted headmistress at the village school, helped by the wife of the local squire, saw that the young boy would be given opportunities at Lord Wandsworth College that he would not normally hope to get. At the age of 12, he joined fourteen other first formers in Junior House. “I had been used to sleeping in my shirt at night. The Lord Wandsworth Foundation introduced me to underwear and pyjamas; they gave me clothes and shoes as well as a wonderful education!”

 

After six years at Lord Wandsworth College and passing the Oxford School Certificate, Johnny was destined for a career in horticulture when war was declared. He volunteered for the RAF and early in his career was selected along with the other members of his Lancaster crew for the special squadron that later became known as the Dambusters. As a bomb aimer in the famous raid of 1943, Johnny was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal later in the same year.

 

Speaking to Foundationers who have passed through the college, (currently, they make up 10% of the school – the remainder are fee-payers), you can get a sense of the way this community has changed the lives of children who had faced some tough times at home. Current Head Boy, Oli Peatman, is a proud Foundationer at LWC. In his final eloquent speech in front of parents, school friends and staff he said: “I am sure the values and principles that are so much a part of life here at LWC will be of use to me far longer than any A levels.” This summer he will find out if these A levels will take him on to a degree in Classics at Trinity College, Oxford.

 

The Lord Wandsworth Foundation still helps young people, like Johnny and Oli, to overcome their initial hardships by offering places to those who have lost a parent though death, divorce or separation. For more information on how to support the work of the Foundation, or how to apply for a place, visit: www.lordwandsworth.org