OC Andrew Cronk (2 & 3 South 1955-59) is one of the eight trustees who oversees the work and direction of the Cranleigh Foundation. Andrew’s connection with Cranleigh runs deep, with several generations of his family also following in his footsteps to attend Cranleigh School. Here he writes about his involvement with Cranleigh and with the Foundation.
I joined the Cranleigh School Foundation as a trustee shortly after its conception in 2007 at the invitation of the then headmaster Guy Waller. I knew Guy quite well over the years as I had two of my grandsons at the Prep School. He was well aware of my interest in the school as an “old boy” and enthusiast of all things “Cranleigh”. During Guy’s time as Headmaster, I was the chairman of the Old Cranleighan Rugby Football Club (OCRFC) and therefore keen on being involved in school rugby! Guy talked me into sponsoring the school 1st XV by paying for the shirts bearing the name of my business, “CRONK BMW”. Given that background, I was an ideal candidate to become a trustee!
The first chairman of the board of trustees was the Reverend Nigel Nicholson, the rector of the parish church in the village. He was the ideal person to lead the Foundation through the difficult first few years. Starting as we did with nothing, we did quickly raise considerable sums of money which allowed us to have our first Foundationer in 2011. We then set our target of Foundationers to three which we achieved in 2013.
Money was mainly raised from parents who, in the main, were happy to pay a small amount towards the Foundation when paying their termly fees. We also raised considerable amounts from willing OCs, including legacies. Social events were held including a wonderful gala ball in 2016. Every year in November, we arrange the Cranleigh Christmas Fair in aid of the Foundation, held at the Prep School. The Fair is sponsored by another trustee and it has raised a considerable amount of money over the last 12 years.
Cranleigh School needed to have such a facility in order to compete with many other schools in the vicinity. We realised our social responsibility to raise money for children affected by tragedy to receive a top education where their families could not afford to pay for schooling due to the death or illness of one or both parents. It is our intention to raise £10m by 2029 to fund 10 Foundationer places each year.
The success that we have achieved so far has spurred us on to believe that we can make a difference to many children’s lives by becoming a first class Foundation worthy of our name. The Foundationers are regularly monitored and the trustees receive reports on their progress which in most, if not all, are very encouraging. The selection of candidates is run by a dedicated member of the Admissions team who interviews the family and child and subsequently recommends the selected child to the trustees for their final approval.
It has been my privilege to serve the Foundation for many years and I believe that being an OC myself helps me to add my skills and experience to such a responsible post.