From the headmaster

This time last year we shared with you the story of OF and 

Nobel Laureate Professor Sir Angus Deaton (Gl 1959-1964). 

Professor Sir Angus, pictured below, was the beneficiary 

of a Fettes education through the philanthropy of others 

and often speaks of how grateful he is. 

“I doubt if anyone ever had a better academic 

education than Fettes gave to me. And I emphasize the 

‘gave’. Being a Foundation Scholar made it all possible.”

More recently a young man who left Fettes in 2016 has 

spoken of the difference a bursary made to him:

“I count myself extremely lucky that I have been given 

the opportunities I have through Fettes and hope that 

in the future I will be able to help others have the same 

opportunities. Without a bursary I would have missed 

out on five life defining years of Fettes education and 

I am so grateful that, despite my family’s financial 

situation, I could have a truly great education.”

Another recent bursary recipient wrote in her personal 

review of her last term:

“I am so grateful for all that Fettes has given to me, 

thank you.”

We are grateful to the many donors who contribute to 

and recognise the importance of supporting bursary 

provision and we hope that many more will join 

these generous benefactors in this significant year by 

supporting The Spens’ Bursary Fund.

“Rest assured that we will continue to contribute to 

your bursary fund. Fettes did so much for our children; 

that is the least we can do in return.”

Bursary Donor

When the College opened its doors in 1870, most  

of the 53 boys attending had their fees paid in full. 

They were known as “Foundationers”. 

Today there are 86 students in receipt of financial 

support at Fettes College, with more than 40% of 

them receiving 80%-110% funding. 

“Fettes is unique… you become a Fettesian and with 

that comes respect, honesty, dedication and a huge 

amount of self-belief. I am very grateful to have been 

given the opportunity to attend Fettes. The experiences 

and memories I have from my time at the College will 

never be forgotten.”

Bursary Recipient 

4  

---

“My daughter truly benefitted from her time at Fettes 

and doesn’t believe she would have achieved her 3 A* 

or got her place at her chosen University without that 

support and experience.”

Parent

“The practice of granting Bursaries for the education 

of boys and girls from less wealthy families is, to me, 

a fundamental of the values on which Fettes was 

originally founded. In my case, I feel particularly well 

qualified to hold such a strong opinion in that, during 

my first year at Fettes, I sat next to a Foundation 

Scholar who went on to win The Nobel Prize for 

Economics in 2015, namely (now Sir) Angus Deaton. 

What a privilege.” 

Bursary Donor

“Fettes is the sum of its parts and there is no doubt that 

all our students, including those in receipt of financial 

support, make the College what it is today. To that end, 

Debbie and I are resolved, in our final year at the helm 

of Fettes, to work closely with the Fettes Foundation 

to raise funds for The Spens’ Bursary Fund. We would 

be delighted and extremely grateful if members of the 

warm and generous Fettes Community would make a 

donation towards this fund.”

Michael Spens

Headmaster, Fettes College

Eligibility for Bursaries 

At Fettes there are no criteria set in stone to determine 

eligibility for bursaries other than financial need. Each 

application is assessed on its own merits following a 

thorough review of the detailed financial information 

provided by parents. Any offer made is based solely 

on an assessment of what parents can afford to pay. 

Until now Fettes has conducted this process entirely 

in house but henceforth we are engaging a third party 

agency to review each application and report back. 

The application process includes a meeting with me 

and, for UK based parents, a home visit. Crucially, 

bursaries are offered for one academic year only 

and reviewed annually, adjusted only depending on 

changes in the family’s own financial circumstances. 

Our aim is to make a life changing difference to 

students we support. The Sixth Form intake for 

September 2017 is no exception, with the majority of 

bursary students receiving financial support in excess 

of 90% of the school fees.

Peter Worlledge

The Bursar, Fettes College

To make a gift to The Spens’ Bursary Fund, please complete  

the enclosed Gift Form then return it in the envelope provided.

  5

---

Our Vision

In May 1906, the Pavilion was built using funds raised 

through an appeal organised by Old Fettesians, in 

memory of the much-loved Carrington Housemaster, 

John Shapland Yeo (1860-1904). Since then, the Pavilion 

has not only been the sporting hub at Fettes but also a 

place where many wonderful memories have been made.

“I have not been in this building for 42 years and yet it 

feels like yesterday. I am a boy again.”

Old Fettesian

Plans are in place for structural restoration and sensitive 

refurbishment to ensure that the Pavilion continues to 

be a hive of sporting activity and is brought into the 21st 

Century by adapting to the needs of the pupils and the 

Fettes Community. 

THE PAVILION RESTORATION PROJECT 

6  

---