Annual Fund

Godstowe is fortunate to have a very active, successful and supportive association, known as The Friends of Godstowe – FOG. Currently driven by two Chairpersons and an enthusiastic committee, working through Form Representatives and other volunteers, FOG has been responsible for many exciting initiatives recently. Although the spotlight is not always fund raising, generally the specific focus is aimed at enhancing the Annual Fund.

The Annual Fund is designed specifically to help provide the school with resources, equipment and facilities where these are generally thought to extend beyond what would normally be regarded as reasonable to include in annual department budgets. Additionally, there may be the opportunity to bring forward projects which would benefit from being provided for more quickly or more extensively where adequate funding allows.

There are quiz nights, a summer carnival, cake sales, plant sales, a Christmas fair, social dinners, golf days, parties and, every two years, a summer ball. Other outlets include funding from the second hand clothing shop and initiatives organised by the girls themselves. In the last three years alone, FOG activities have been responsible for raising over £80,000, much of which has already been put to extremely good use all around the school.

Following regular meetings with me and consultation with the staff, funds are allocated by the FOG committee according to agreed levels of priority. All members of staff are required to submit ‘wish lists’ each year so that these can be carefully considered. Careful thought is always given to fair and equal distribution of funds, although many projects will benefit all children throughout the school. These are always popular. Parents and children are often consulted too, so that all ideas can be tabled.

All monies raised throughout the year are centrally managed by FOG and funds are only ever allocated once areas of need have been identified. Sometimes, events at school take place where the focus is partially, even wholly, on fund-raising for charity. This is always clearly indentified and advertised in advance and these funds will be presented to the relevant charities.

We are extremely grateful to FOG for their outstanding work here at Godstowe and to the parents who regularly offer their significant support. The children benefit enormously from what FOG offers and this will further enhance the quality of their education at Godstowe School.

David Gainer, Headmaster.