Supporters’ Reception launches Impact Report

At the end of February, Headmaster Al Kennedy welcomed one hundred members of the Trinity community to what he says is one of his favourite events of the year: the Trinity Bursary Fund Supporters’ Reception. Held this year at St. Ethelburga’s Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, the event focused on celebrating the diversity of the school , made possible by a long history of supported places and now continued by the Trinity Bursary Fund. The venue was chosen deliberately; its focus on shared understanding and community perfectly mirrored the evening’s underlying theme of preserving the diverse, inclusive DNA of the school.

The event held special significance as it marked the final reception for Trinity alumnus Jason Court, who is in his last year as Director of Development. In his address, Jason expressed deep gratitude for the heartening increase in support the school has seen over the past seven years. He highlighted how this generosity does more than simply fund places. It ensures that every student benefits from learning alongside a truly diverse student body, while also supporting our widening reach into Trinity Partner Primary Schools.

Jason also offered a reminder of the work still ahead, stating that “Despite the community’s generosity, there remains a gap between our ambition and our resources, meaning we cannot yet offer bursaries to all the capable applicants we see each year.” Jason also noted that to preserve the school’s DNA, the continued partnership from our supporters is still incredibly important.

Two alumni Emily Tellem (Class of 2022) and Paul Cleal OBE (Class of 1984), who both received financial assistance during their time at the school, brought Jason’s message to life, representing two distinct generations of Trinity alumni, they shared a common experience.

Emily is a perfect example of the modern Trinity alumna. Having joined us for the Sixth Form from Old Palace, Emily left with exceptional A* grades in Economics, Psychology, English Literature, and her EPQ. Now in her final year reading Psychology at the University of Bath, she remains closely connected to the school, most recently serving as a caller in our 2025 Telephone Campaign and leading a recent whole school assembly on the importance of bursaries. Emily spoke warmly about the confidence and opportunities Trinity gave her at such a formative stage in her life.

Offering the perspective of a different generation was Paul Cleal OBE (Class of 1984). Paul’s distinguished career has included senior partner roles at PwC and various non-executive positions, and he was awarded an OBE in 2020 for his work promoting diversity in business. He is now part of the leadership team at the Football Association at St George’s Park, supporting the England Men’s teams.

Although nearly 40 years separate their time at Trinity, both Emily and Paul made the exact same point: the opportunity made possible through bursary support fundamentally shaped their confidence, ambition, and long-term trajectory. It was a memorable evening that reminded us all of the vital role our community plays in keeping Trinity’s doors open.

The event was also an opportunity to launch this year’s Supporters’ Impact Report which highlights how the Trinity Bursary Fund not only changes lives, but the importance of the diverse student population reflecting and celebrating the talent of Croydon. The full report is available to read here.

• Students’ stories are at the heart of the Fund and demonstrate how transformative a Trinity education can be for students and families. Former Head Boy Jared Thompson (Class of 2025), reflects on his journey through Trinity; he says, “What had the most lasting impact on me wasn’t just the achievements, but the opportunity to give back.” Bailee Sheldon (Class of 2025) also reflects on his journey, stating that the Fund allowed him to “unlock a future…. he never knew existed.” His parents also spoke highly of the Fund within the report explaining that without support, attending Trinity wouldn’t have been possible.

• This year, we celebrate sixty years at Shirley Park, the report highlights the reality of this past year, the significance of preserving the Trinity culture of bringing in young people from every walk of life and the future expansion to become fully co-educational and create “a pre-university environment that mirrors modern society.”

• A spotlight on the 2025 Telephone Campaign, which was a huge success with £107k raised for bursaries, 535 hours of conversations and 75 first-time donors. There are of course many ways to support the campaign and more information can be found in the report.