Dear OC

In 2015 the Board of Governors established a vision for the College’s 100-acre campus to ensure that Campbell is ‘fit for the future’ with ‘best in class’ facilities across the curriculum. This ‘Building for the Future’ campus vision sets out to deliver the very best educational environment for our pupils, whilst also enhancing the facilities for our wider community - 8,000 of whom currently use our estate each year through public benefit activities across heritage, sporting, cultural and educational projects. 

This campus vision represents a significant investment by the College and has two key drivers; the ambition to advance our facilities alongside the need to maintain our current buildings.  As a Voluntary B Grammar School, Campbell receives no financial support from government for any capital spend and hence a comprehensive financial strategy was set in motion in 2015 to support this programme of capital development.  This financial strategy is underpinned by a combination of sound financial governance coupled with proactive fund-raising.

Building for the Future: The Campus Vision 

The Building for the Future (BFTF) vision encompasses several key elements of capital work to be delivered over time; 

Boarding: New Boarding Accommodation (Completed in 2019)  

Heritage - Preservation and restoration of our iconic heritage buildings

Science - Improved Science provision 

Music & Creative Arts - Improved Music and Creative Arts facilities 

Sport - Improved Sports Facilities 

We are living though unprecedented times in a landscape of continuing economic uncertainty. However, our commitment to deliver this campus vision remains.  To this end, we are pleased to inform you of developments on two financial fronts which both support the long-term future of the College and our wonderful campus.

  1/. Sale of Cabin Hill: 

Firstly, the Cabin Hill building and site will go onto the open market for sale on 19th April 2021.  The College ceased using the Cabin Hill building for its junior pupils as long ago as 2006 as the building was no longer fit for purpose for Key Stage 1 and 2.   The remote location of the building from our main site hindered any alternative use of Cabin Hill as part of the educational offering of the College, and hence it has long since been the  intention of the Board to sell the vacated building.  Fluctuations in the market, and more recently the Covid-19 pandemic have delayed this sale, and Cabin Hill has now been vacant for 15 years. We are however pleased that the time is now right for its sale, and we believe that the sale will present an opportunity to breathe a new lease of life into this historic building. The College looks forward to seeing the vacated Cabin Hill building embark upon a new chapter in its history.  The funds generated from this sale will provide vital financial support for the maintenance and advancement of our campus as well as a securing a long-term endowment for the future.

2/. BFTF Fundraising Campaign:  

A second piece of positive news is that our Building for The Future Fundraising Campaign, which has been focussed on securing major gift donations from individuals connected to Campbell, has raised over £1million to date and we are delighted to announce a resultant £1milllion donation from the fund towards the cost of Heritage preservation and restoration works. This contribution will be released over the next decade to support the estimated £5million cost for restoring our iconic heritage buildings. 

Our heartfelt thanks must go to all those individuals who have so generously given to the College as to make this donation possible – it is a fantastic start to our wider fundraising efforts.   The College’s heritage buildings are important not just for our own community but also for wider society, and we hope that the benefits of this important restoration work will be felt far beyond the College gates, and for many years to come. 

This is only the beginning and the BFTF Fundraising Campaign continues with vigour as it seeks to raise the next £1million towards the overall cost of delivering the long-term campus vision outlined above. If you would like to understand more about the BFTF Vision and the Fundraising Campaign please do not hesitate to reach out to Cathy Law, Development Director or Karl Wilson, Bursar or visit the website for more information.

The Board of Governors shares an immense pride in the College; its past and its present. We recognise all that Campbell represents to our own community, and the important role which the College has played and continues to play within wider society.  As Governors, we are custodians of all that is past and present, and we have an enduring duty to ensure that Campbell continues to be the best it can be for generations to come.  

Whilst we are all still living through a global pandemic and continue to weigh up the implications of these last twelve months, we are cognisant not to lose sight of our long-term vision for Campbell College.   There is still much work to be done if we are to reach our financial goals and deliver our vision, but these two announcements are a most welcome milestone and set us firmly on the right path. 

Yours sincerely, 

Alistair Devlin (6036)

Chairman, Board of Governors