Since 2020, the Wellington College Arts Fund (WCAF) has distributed grants to more than 75 schools in the local area. These have funded arts initiatives for children including music lessons, dance workshops, technical equipment for drama departments and art resources.
WCAF has donated more than £125,000 in grants over the last five years, raising money through fundraising and ticket sales from Wellington College’s performing arts events.
Any local school can apply for a grant by completing a simple form.
Wellington will mark the 5th anniversary of the Arts Fund with a year of events, including productions of the hit musical ‘Into the Woods’ and ‘Treasure Island’, plus two major orchestral and jazz concerts.
This will culminate in a collaborative event on Friday, October 17, where pupils from local schools showcase their talent in a captivating ‘Celebration of the Arts’ in Wellington’s G.W.A Theatre.
The Arts Fund regularly brings local schools together for performances and any school wishing to participate in this year’s event has until the end of February to express their interest.
Simon Williamson, director of Music at Wellington, said:”We know that an involvement in the arts is a vital part of every child’s education and cultural upbringing.
“We have been delighted to have connected with thousands of local students over the last five years with our arts fund.
“Our aim now is to continue to support and develop the arts but also to raise awareness of the fund so that more students have access.”
Ticket sale proceeds for Wellington arts events, like Into The Woods (February 12-14), go to the Arts Fund. Tickets are priced from £5 and are on sale to the public.
The music and drama departments at Ranelagh School in Bracknell have benefited from Arts Funds grants which have gone towards music and drama equipment.
Head of Music, Luke Coventry, said: “the grants have funded staging, allowing us to create immersive performances like last year’s Bugsy Malone, which had a stage that extended into the audience.
“We’ve also upgraded our computing suite so all pupils can plug in guitars or mics without taking turns and the whole class can progress more quickly”
The WCAF also recently funded dance workshops for boys at Yateley School. Head of dance, Helen Wearing, was able to set up a performance group who went on to participate in an all-boys’ Dance Platform at The Mayflower Theatre, Southampton in 2024.
In 2024, a grant was also awarded to Hatch Ride Primary School in Crowthorne to fund a term of recorder lessons delivered by Berkshire Music Trust for 120 key stage 2 pupils. Class teacher, Miss Costello, said: “The opportunity to learn an instrument has supported the development of learning behaviours including resilience”.
The process of applying for a grant is refreshingly straightforward.
Luke Coventry said: “The form is simple to fill in with clear criteria and we quickly heard that our application had been successful. We won’t hesitate to apply for further grants in the future to elevate our performing arts offering for pupils”
To apply for a Wellington College Arts Fund Grant or to express interest in taking part in the ‘Celebration of the Arts’ performance in October, schools should visit Grants & Donations – Wellington College or contact thearts@wellingtoncollege.org.uk
