The Campaign was launched in the autumn of 1996 to tackle two major problems facing Latymer - general overcrowding in the School and inadequate facilities for Music, Drama, Media Studies and Sport. The solution was to provide new performing arts and sports facilities, but it had taken years of planning and a feasibility study to identify appropriate sources of funding and to develop an action plan.
Although common in the private sector, it was trailblazing (and even controversial) for a state school to undertake fundraising on this scale. However, the support of the Foundation enabled a fundraising office to be established, and two years later over £1 million had been raised. We now have a performing arts centre, The Mills Building, which was opened in the spring of 2000. This building is a tremendous testament to the vision, tenacity, determination and generosity of all those involved in its creation.
Following the completion of the building of the Performing Arts Centre, Latymer faced the challenge and embraced a new round of fund raising to build the new Sports Hall. After two ‘near misses’, the Department for Education and Skills approved Latymer’s bid for finance of a new sports hall and dining facilities. The estimated cost of the project was £2.9 million. Latymer raised its contribution of £300,000, 10% of £ 3 million, and now has wonderful sports and catering facilities.
In 1998 Latymer faced serious cuts in funding due to the abolition of Grant Maintained Status, a loss of approximately £250,000 from our annual budget. The existence of the Campaign Development Office made it possible for us to create The Latymer Standards Fund to help bridge this deficit. The aim was to ensure that despite the cuts we would still have the funds to maintain Latymer’s very high standards. The extra funding through the Standards Fund has enabled us to develop and improve the School and ensure it stays among the very best in the country.
The Latymer School remains a leading co-educational state school. At the heart of the School’s aims is the cultural, social and intellectual development of all its pupils - boys and girls aged 11 to 18. It is renowned as a centre of excellence in many areas, both academic and cultural. With your help, it will continue to offer excellence to all - regardless of means or background.