Founder's Pupils

Through our Bursary Funds over the years, we have been able to offer a Kingham Hill education to those who otherwise might not have the opportunity. These educational foundations are part of our aim, borne from our Founder’s vision. We are equipping pupils to flourish and be prepared for life beyond the Hill. Charles Baring Young's vision for Kingham Hill School was to provide an education and Christian home for children who needed care. Generations have benefited from his legacy and our unique history.

The vision of the Hillian supported Founder's Pupils Fund, is to financially support a number of pupils each year who are funded purely through donations, from 1st form all the way through to 6th Form. Decades of Hillian's are grateful for the opportunity that Kingham gave them and in turn have formalised this programme (which was established in 2018) to offer the gift of a full boarding school education and home to pupils from backgrounds who need help.

Here is Ken's story:

I was born in 1946 at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham.  My mother had me on her own and kept me a secret, even from her family.  I never knew who my father was.  Mum and I lived together for my first 7 years.  She tried her best for me and worked hard, but as time progressed she found it difficult to cope.  I ended up living with an older woman who I thought was my grandmother.  I took care of her until she died in the middle of the night.  I was 9 when I found her, on my own, one morning.

I had stability for the next 18 months with relatives who stepped in to give me love, my own bedroom, school and a chance to be a child.  Mum came back and tried to take care of me, but her lifestyle got in the way.  Social Services stepped in and I was sent to a children's home. Fortunately they had a link with Kingham Hill.  I was taken to visit the School and when we arrived I couldn't believe how beautiful it was; the grounds and the houses were completely different than anything I had ever seen.  At the age of 11, I joined Plymouth House.

My Housemaster, Revd Wilkinson, signed me up for cross-country, athletics and rugby.  I won the cross country and discovered an absolute love for rugby.  Every day was an adventure and I never looked back. I enjoyed the sport, house social activities and the fresh air.  I even enjoyed learning! I moved on to Norwich House with Mr and Mrs Turner who became like parents to me. They believed in me and encouraged me to achieve. Kingham gave me a family, a home and my faith.  It also gave me the interpersonal skills, confidence and independence required to move forward with my life.

I served for 31 years in H.M. Prison Service and was awarded an MBE in 2004 for my service to the community and the Prison Service.  I feel passionately about supporting this next generation of Founder's Pupils and want others to benefit in the same way that I did.  Please consider supporting Founder's Pupils - it's mission which is still at the very heart of what Kingham Hill School is all about.

Ken Wingfield, MBE, Plymouth and Norwich 1958-62

To make a gift via credit card to support Founder's Pupils, please click here. To give via BACS transfer, details are here on our GiftForm.  We'd love to hear from you if you need anything, so please feel free to get in touch at development@kinghamhill.org