Sedbergh School Recognised as a Champion of Social Mobility
Sedbergh is delighted to be recognised as a top 3 finalist in the category of Social Mobility Champion in the 2025 School House Awards.
This recognition speaks deeply of our values and commitment as a school community. Sedbergh thrives because of the blend of families who support the School through fees, philanthropy, and trust, alongside those pupils who attend through scholarships and bursaries. Together, this mix ensures that Sedbergh remains ambitious, diverse, and united.
The roots of social mobility go to the very heart of Sedbergh. The School’s founding purpose in 1525 was to open doors barred by circumstance: “Sedbergh is not about privilege but about the education of children from all walks of life. This was Roger Lupton’s founding purpose and why he gave his lands, to educate the young of the dales.” Since the Second World War, over 1,500 young people have been granted scholarships and bursaries to attend Sedbergh, enriching not only their own lives but also the experience of every pupil in our community.
The Roger Lupton Scholarship (RLS), launched in 2012, and the Settlebeck Scholarship launched post-Covid, continue Roger Lupton’s mission by offering fully‑funded or near‑fully‑funded places to high‑potential pupils whose family income would otherwise make an independent education impossible.
“Roger Lupton Scholarships not only draw from the founding principles of this School, they also directly contribute to the common good. I am so pleased that the School has chosen to focus on the Scholarships as it celebrates 500 years – I cannot imagine a more fitting celebration, and legacy, as we look to the future, inspired by our past.” The Revd Paul Sweeting, Chaplain
All funding for Roger Lupton Scholarships is raised from within the Sedbergh community—parents, alumni and staff—so giving is an act of collective solidarity. Many scholars also feel motivated to give others the chance that they themselves had to reach their full potential. This cycle compounds social mobility, creating many recipients from an initial gift. Crucially, every contribution is additional to school resources, ensuring scholarships grow through philanthropy without impacting the opportunities of fee-paying families.
The extraordinary impact of sharing a Sedbergh education
The most compelling evidence of exceptional social-mobility impact is heard not in statistics but in the voices of the young people whose life trajectory has been fundamentally changed by a Roger Lupton Scholarship. Their stories also remind us how much richer the School becomes when pupils of diverse backgrounds learn, play, and achieve together.
“I’d love to thank my donor from the bottom of my heart. Being at Sedbergh has given me so many opportunities that I wouldn’t have experienced.” Mo Bashir Former Roger Lupton Scholar, 2017-21
“Most of all I’d love to say thank you to the people who funded my scholarship. They clearly don’t do it for praise, but I am grateful to have been backed; which boils down to being believed in and recognised.” Cameron Melville, Former Roger Lupton Scholar, 2013-20
“If I had the chance to thank my donor, I would say that their generosity is truly appreciated. Without this life changing opportunity, I wouldn’t be working in the role I am now. A donor’s gift doesn’t end when someone leaves the school but helps the scholar throughout their life.” James Horan, Solicitor, City of London, Former Roger Lupton Scholar, 2012-17
“This scheme, and the generosity of people who support it, gives people like me the opportunity to discover and grow their talents, and bring them to the wider world.” Harry Brook, England Cricketer, Former Roger Lupton Scholar, 2013-17
Impact well beyond the individual scholar
Funding is entirely philanthropic – every pound raised for Roger Lupton Scholarships from Old Sedberghians, parents, and staff flows directly into the bursary, enabling the Roger Lupton Scheme to grow without drawing on core school resources. Roger Lupton Scholarships enrich everyone at Sedbergh: they bring diversity of experience, inspire ambition, and are the truest expression of Roger Lupton’s 500-year-old vision.
“I strongly want to contribute to future scholarships. I would say every Roger Lupton Scholar who had the opportunity to attend Sedbergh feels the same way.” — James Horan, Former Roger Lupton Scholar, 2012‑17
As Sedbergh celebrates 500 years, the Roger Lupton Scholarships sit proudly alongside the commitment of every family who makes this education possible. Together, they create a school community that is ambitious, diverse, and united — a place where every pupil is encouraged to thrive.