Shortlisting by the industry experts judging this prestigious national award is highly valued at The RGS Worcester Family of Schools because it recognises the absolute commitment we have to fostering meaningful life-long relationships with our community and to extending access through Bursary Awards.

It is particularly pleasing that the Judging Panel feel we have established a determined, purposeful and strategic step-change in our Development work and that this is leading to clearly identifiable benefits for RGS pupils and the local community.

Of particular note was our clear and compelling “Change a Life” Bursary campaign, launched in December 2022, with its ambitious targets to increase significantly the number of transformational Bursary Awards at RGS, so that even more children will benefit from an RGS education irrespective of their financial circumstances.

The Judging Panel also identified the successful implementation of a new strategic Alumni Relations Engagement Programme (communications and events) during 2023 as being integral to boosting alumni interaction and involvement with the School, reconnecting our former pupils, enabling sustainable fundraising growth, and supporting current pupils through the Careers department.

Recognising that good relationships are fundamental to a supportive community, the success of our inaugural RGS Giving Day earlier this year clearly demonstrated to the panel the strength, generosity and positive engagement we have with our alumni network and the wider RGS Worcester Family.

IDPE (Institute of Development Professionals in Education) was established over 20 years ago and is the organisation that champions and recognises the very best practice in schools' fundraising and engagement here in the UK and further afield. We are therefore immensely honoured to have been recognised by them for the work we do

Foundation Director, Scott MacDonald said, “The Development team has a clear vision with exciting targets and has exhibited that we are engaging more of our alumni community and the wider RGS Family than ever before. Crucially, we are also helping to welcome an unprecedented number of Bursary Award holders to RGS. We are passionate about creating opportunities for young people by harnessing the potential within our alumni community so it is extremely rewarding to be recognised by our industry peers within this prestigious Award category.”

John Pitt, Headmaster commented, “To be shortlisted for this Award means a great deal to us all. Across The RGS Worcester Family of Schools we have long-established, strong relationships with our alumni, parents and the wider community and it has been fantastic to see these relationships grow. Being recognised by IDPE is a true testament to the work we are doing here to increase engagement with, and support for, the School. The recognition also endorses the belief we have here that a strong Development function plays a pivotal role in supporting our pupils and connecting us as a Family”.

Winners will be announced at the IDPE Development Awards on 17 November.