The Monmouth Schools’ Charitable Trust has established a vehicle for future fundraising that is separate from the William Jones Foundation and gives an independent identity to the existing funds that have already been bequeathed, pledged or donated whilst reassuring potential donors and legators that all gifts are administered by those with a clear loyalty and close connection to the Monmouth Schools.
Initially the charitable trust is being applied primarily to Monmouth School for Boys gives a clear message to all constituent groups (OMs, current and former parents, current and former staff and current and former Governors) that a new chapter in the history of the School has begun in time to mark the 400th Anniversary in 2014.
The Charitable Trust has been formed to cover all the schools in the Monmouth group but with individual, ring-fenced funds for separate school interest. The diagram is an example of how this might operate in the future.
The first Board of Trustees has been selected by the Headmaster of Monmouth School for Boys from the wealth of available talent in the current parent and OM community.
The Trustees will meet at least twice a year and will proactively support development and fundraising initiatives, led by the Development Director, at Monmouth School for Boys or Monmouth School for Girls.
An Annual Report on the activities of the Trust will be produced by the Development Office for circulation to the main constituent groups. If you are an Old Monmothian you will automatically receive a copy. Please contact the Monmouth School for Boys Development Office if you are interested (but are not an OM) in receiving the report.
Registered charity number: 1151698

In the past, a Monmouth School education for boys of ability, from low-income families, was a given. Generations of boys, whether their parents could afford full fees or none, have been educated to the highest standard and gone on to play their part locally and nationally in business, academia, the arts, politics and sport. The Direct Grant system and latterly the Government Assisted Places Scheme (which ended in 1997) made Monmouth accessible for more families at different times in our history.

In 2014, to celebrate 400 years of Monmouth School, we launched FUND400. It was the first time since the end of Direct Grant that the school had appealed for money to directly help boys of ability attend the school. Half a million pounds was raised during that year and the school and recipients remain enormously grateful for the support received.

Over the past two years, the school has reassessed its priorities and focused on much-needed repair and renewal work around teaching, boarding and science.

This is now complete but has left a significant year-on-year shortfall in the amount of money available from the endowment to help with fee assistance. The focus now for fundraising is very firmly on the longer term aim to build a new William Jones (Bursary and Scholarship) Fund solely to provide ‘the gift of education’ to as many boys of ability from the local area as possible. The new fund will help with fees for boys who show potential, not just academically but also in music or sport.

We believe that a well-rounded education, which encourages children to become independent thinkers and leaders, is a life-changing gift. We believe that every child who is talented, willing to work hard and contribute to the ethos of the school should have access to the first-class education Monmouth provides, regardless of their personal financial circumstance. Please support Monmouth today.

David Hitchcock OBE
Chairman, Monmouth Schools’ Charitable Trust

“My parents did not have much money: our family home in the country didn’t benefit from mains electricity or indoor plumbing until I was 10. I was fortunate to gain a place as a county scholar to Monmouth School, where the education I received; the development of social skills and self-confidence; and the patient encouragement of my ability resulted in my graduation through art college. From there, I co-founded a design practice which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019. I have worked with national and international clients, applying the honesty and integrity I learnt from school, and have had a rewarding and exciting career. This would almost certainly have been denied me without the opportunity provided by the direct grant system.”

David Evans
Monmouth School for Boys (1957-1964)

David Hitchcock OBE – Chairman of the MSCT, Old Monmothian and currently Executive Chairman of Cyrus Investment Management

Richard Booth K.C – London-based Barrister, Old Monmothian, former parent and a Haberdasher
Prof Richard Carwardine – recently retired President of Corpus Christi College Oxford, Old Monmothian, a Haberdasher and current Governor
Warren East CBE, FRS – CEO of Rolls Royce Holdings PLC and former CEO ARM Holdings Plc, Old Monmothian and a Haberdasher
Noel Manns – Retired Principal & Founder Partner of Europa Capital. Old Monmothian, Governor and a Haberdasher
Bridget Barker – Retired partner of MacFarlanes and Old Girl
Charlotte Hume – Communications Consultant and television presenter, Old Girl and a Haberdasher
Martin Anderson – Former Governor, Haberdasher and Chairman, Presteigne Broadcast Hire
Claire Martinsen – Founder of the award winning soft drinks company Breckland Orchard, Old Girl
Julian Stevens – World renowned specialist in laser refractive surgery and consultant at Moorfields Eye Hospital, Old Monmothian
Sarah Melvin – Head of UK at Blackrock, Old Girl
Tom Wheeler – Recently retired career Crown Servant; now part-time consultant. Old Monmothian

The Headmaster of Monmouth School for Boys, Governors and the Trustees of the Monmouth Schools’ Charitable Trust welcome offers of donations of all sizes, whether in connection with specific campaigns or to add to the William Jones’s Schools Foundation (the endowment), as these enable the school’s continuing development over the long term.
Donations must be freely given with no expectation of anything in return other than due thanks and recognition. The officers of Monmouth School for Boys (usually the Headmaster, the Bursar and/or the Development Director) are pleased to accept lawful donations which are given in good faith and which are compatible with the aims, values and strategic objectives of the school. As Monmouth School for Boys values and safeguards its autonomy, integrity and reputation, we are unlikely to accept donations when a condition of acceptance would compromise these fundamental principles.