Donations to our School are essential. They enable us to meet critical needs that create the conditions in which "It is Great to be a Hitchin Boy".

We are not just “The Boys’ School” but rather a School for Boys; this means that we see our role as beyond just the filling of a pail of learning but the creation of Hitchin Men who go out into the world with strong minds and kind hearts. We are exceptionally ambitious for our boys, and we aim to offer an education and experience which is equal to or better than the independent sector.   

We also work as a community to create the conditions in which “It’s Great to be a Hitchin Boy”. This means that we consciously and deliberately create a space where each boy is known for who they are today and who they can be tomorrow, where they feel connected and capable. Our academic achievements and the quality of Boys who pass out on Founders Day reflects the success of this vision- you know a Hitchin Man, when you’ve met a Hitchin Man.

Despite all of this, it may surprise you to learn that we are very poorly funded. We receive just £5,415 per year to educate students in Years 7 - 11 and just £4,000 for a Sixth Form student. You might say that’s what every other School gets and they manage well, but actually that won’t be quite true. For example, we do not get the significant top-ups from Pupil Premium or any other such funding the DfE gives schools that are in challenged circumstances, that is deservedly so, we aware that we are fortunate as a community. In a sense, however, we are a victim of our success; the better we do, the less likely we are to get funding from the DfE because we are not in dire straits as a School or Community; we are being ambitious, not in crisis. That said, it is truly no mean feat managing our budget, and our fundin model does not allow any scope for maintaining or improving our School for our future. We cannot save or put money away for capital improvement programmes, and the cost of maintaining our current infrastructure goes up each year.

Our Hitchean Annual Fund feeds specific projects which make a direct and immediate impact on our School community and future-proofs HBS for generations to come. Projects are varied and are determined by just how out of date the facilities are. This year we plan to focus on raising funds to improve our STEM facilities. Our science labs have not been renovated since the 1970s and this despite the fact that the three Sciences are our biggest uptake subjects at A Level. We would also like to improve and increase the capacity in our two(yes only that many but we could do with some more) computer rooms and do the same for our Design and Technology workshops too.    The Fund also supports our Financial Assistance provision which helps families who are unable to finance certain School activities.

We really hope you see the value of this fund and consider setting up a regular donation. In a world in which cynicism and pessimism are almost perceived as virtues, we choose to believe in the best in humanity and the best in our boys. We hope you join us in this.