The Bridge Campaign
Time to think big
For fifteen years, Amici Bruerni has funded wonderful additions to the school that bring joy and enrichment not just to the boys but to everyone involved with Bruern Abbey.
Now, we plan to address head-on the challenge faced by boys and their families when lack of funds mean they could lose out on a Bruern education.
Our aim: to bridge the funding gap for those who most need it.
If ever there was a time to help families who need Bruern Abbey. this is it.
– John Floyd Headmaster
The gaps we plan to bridge
Pre-EHCP
Funding to cover Bruern fees over the gap between a boy’s start at the school and receipt of the first EHCP payment. This can be a year and is a huge burden for some families. Awards are means-tested.
Hardship
Enabling a boy to continue his Bruern education when hardship strikes, e.g., a job loss or bereavement. Again, awards are means-tested.
Increasing a boy’s chances
When we can help a boy with a place here while his family wait for EHCP funding, not only do we end the agony of waiting and home-schooling but we increase the likelihood of EHCP support. It’s a win-win.
£200K/yr
£1M by 2030
Bridge the gap for at least 30 boys
Campaign target
Real need
On average, six families each year come to us when they face a gap of a year or more before confirmination of EHCP funding, and they are unable to afford the school fees to span this time.
Meeting our campaign target would enable us to bridge this gap for these families, making it possible for each boy to settle happily and flourish at Bruern, rather than continuing to sink while the EHCP process plays out.
In each case, we can improve not just the boy’s life chances but a whole family’s wellbeing.
FAQs
The campaign provides a funding solution as far as 2030. What happens beyond this?
- In time, we would like to build an endowment fund. This would mean raising over £5M.
- Bridging the gap over the next five years is a good start and will raise awareness of the issue.
Why give to Amici Bruerni, not Bruern Abbey?
- Amici Bruerni is separate from the school, which is owned by Bellevue Education.
- We can spend every pound we raise on our charitable projects.
- We only use our funds for items which are not tied to the school’s buildings and property.
Will the money raised be spent on anything else?
- All the funds we raise from this campaign will be ring fenced for means-tested bursaries.
- If donors would prefer to direct their support to other aspects of our work, they are very welcome to do so.
Can I direct my support to a specific boy?
- No. If we were to go down this route, we would potentially disqualify donations from Gift Aid, as well as incur VAT charges.
How will I know what impact this campaign will have?
- We will provide regular reports, anonymised where necessary, on the impact of the campaign.
Who are you asking?
- We will be approaching past and current parents and some alumni.
- In true Bruern Abbey-style, we plan to engage people with this as personally as possible.
Has Amici Bruerni provided any funding for bursaries in the past?
- We have already provided nearly £125K to support many familes with bursaries.
Is there a particular amount you are asking for?
- There is no set donation amount. We hope everyone will give at the level that feels comfortable for them.
- Of course, we will will need some very generous donations to reach our target