To mark David Faber’s long association with Summer Fields as pupil (1969-1974),                    parent (2000 -2005), school governor (1999-2009) and Headmaster (2010-2026), the school has established an appeal in his name for the Maclaren Foundation.

The Foundation was established in 2005 with the main objective of providing scholarships at Summer Fields for boys whose families were unable to afford the fees. Since then, increasing numbers of boys at Summer Fields have been able to benefit from Maclaren Foundation awards, with up to 100% of the fees defrayed, depending on parental means.   

Candidates for awards are put forward by the Headmaster to the Trustees of the Foundation and the awards are made by the Foundation following discussion between Trustees and Headmaster. Many of the original Maclaren scholars have now reached adulthood and are now able to look back at their Summer Fields days in context. The film Soaring Futures gives insights from a few of the Maclaren scholars into their time at Summer Fields, their reflections on that time and their progress since then.  

Over the years, the school has raised funds for the Maclaren Foundation.  The monies raised have been invested in the Maclaren Foundation endowment fund.  The current value of the endowment fund is approximately £4 million.  This fund allows on average six to seven Maclaren Scholars to attend the school each year with the Maclaren Foundation and the School sharing the cost of each award.   Our aim and David’s hope is that, through the David Faber Maclaren Appeal Fund,  the Foundation endowment fund is significantly enhanced over time, doubling from £4 million to £8 million, so that the cost of the awards at their present level can be shouldered entirely by the Foundation, with a view to progress then being made to widen the availability of the Summer Fields education still further.   

With help, we can thereby build upon the school’s tradition of excellence by widening access and enabling talented pupils, regardless of background and ability to pay, to benefit from an education at Summer Fields.  

During David’s tenure as Headmaster (2010-2026) he has, via the Maclaren Foundation, enabled many boys who could not otherwise have done so to benefit from a Summer Fields education.  

 “I think it’s hugely important that a school like Summer Fields with its wonderful facilities and teaching opportunities, that enrich the lives of the boys here, is available to a much broader cross-section of pupils than might otherwise be able to afford it.”  David Faber, Headmaster.   

If you would like to donate to The David Faber Maclaren Appeal Fund, please complete and return the donation form below to dlo@summerfields.com We welcome your participation at any level, whether a one-off or regular gift, big or small; every gift is significant and will make a difference.