Theo joined Bradfield in the Sixth Form as a Royal Springboard scholar in September 2023. He recently sent this letter to the College and we now share it with you, so that you too can see what his time at Bradfield meant to this recent leaver. The letter gives testimony to the immensely powerful opportunity held within each and every bursary awarded;
To the Headmaster (past and present), Staff, Governors, Fellow Students and Supporters of Bradfield College,
As I prepare for university and look toward the future, I am reminded of a similar feeling I had three years ago after finishing my GCSEs. At the time I did not know it but the next two years of my life at Bradfield College would shape who I am for the rest of my life. For that I want to express my gratitude for the amazing opportunity I was given to study at such a fantastic place. Without it, I would never have had access to the exceptional education, extraordinary opportunity, and lifelong friendships that I will always be so grateful for.
That deep sense of thankfulness and the impact of the opportunity I was given is hard to express and even harder to put on paper, however, for those who knew me before and after Bradfield I believe it is evident how this school has changed my life.
Bradfield is a truly special place. From the moment I entered Stone House until my final day where I stepped out the door, I was made to feel included and cared for by my housemaster, my tutor, my teachers and all of the staff that I ever spoke to while also being pushed to be the best version of myself.
Before I was accepted into Bradfield, private education felt to me like a separate bubble of reality, unreachable to someone like me. I had worried of not fitting in, not knowing what to expect or what to feel and it felt surreal in ways I cannot describe. However, the speed and ease at which my nerves were replaced with a feeling of belonging after joining in the Lower Sixth is a testament to the people that work and study at Bradfield.
I was welcomed with open arms, supported both in and outside of the classroom and encouraged to become the best version of myself while being given amazing opportunities and confidence – not just academically but to take part in things I would have never dared to do before – to travel, to sing, to dance, to speak, to compete. All things which helped to me to grow tremendously.
To my Housemaster, Mr Saunders: Sir, you weren’t just a Housemaster or a scary presence that lurked in the corridors…as some of the younger years may suggest! You were there when things went well and when I struggled, your support was unwavering and the faith you had in me to succeed meant more than I can ever say. Thank you!
To my teachers: Thank you for the enthusiasm and passion that you all carried into your classrooms. My first few weeks were spent in awe at how much care each and every one of my teachers had for their subject and for me as one of their students. This is what separates them from anything I had ever seen and what pushed me to be a better student. For that and all your hard work and effort. Thank you!
To all of the amazing support staff: Thank you for the kindness that often goes unnoticed but was never unappreciated. I always felt like I had someone to listen to me, which went
a long way when I needed it.
To my friends in Stone House: Thank you for so quickly including me without question and always supporting me when I most needed it and making my time at Bradfield even more special.
To the people behind Bradfield’s bursary programme, most of whom I may never meet: Thank you for the opportunities you gave to me and all other students involved in bursary programmes. What you do is truly special.
Finally, to Royal Springboard: Thank you a thousand times over. Words that are not enough to repay the amazing work that you do. Thank you for seeing something in me —
for investing in me, and in so many others like me.
And so, I leave Bradfield not just with grades, but with memories, friends, mentors, and a sense of purpose. And I carry a promise with me – to make something of the opportunity I was given, and to one day pass it on to someone else who just needs a chance.
Thank you. Truly. For everything.
With sincere and lasting thanks,
Theo Turner, Old Bradfieldian
September 2025
If you are interested in giving another talented pupil like Theo the benefit of a Bradfield education, do take a look at our 175 Bursary campaign webpage and if you have any questions do reach out to our Philanthropy Lead, Kirsty Perkinson on kperkinson@bradfieldcollege.org.uk
