Hereford school expands boarding offering with £1.9m funding boost
Hereford Cathedral School is set to significantly expand its international programme after agreeing a £1.9 million funding package from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.
The independent co-educational school for pupils between the ages of three and 18, has opened a brand-new boarding house, allowing the school to welcome new pupils from across the globe.
Situated in the fully refurbished former How Caple Grange Hotel, the 1,310 sq m Georgian boarding house will accommodate up to 29 pupils and officially opened its doors this spring. Lloyds Bank provided 75% of the funding for the project, with the remainder coming from school funds.
The school dates back to 1384 and is one of the oldest boarding schools in Britain. Having ceased boarding twenty years ago, the school has housed overseas students with local families since 2012. The new boarding house aims to boost the number of overseas pupils able to attend the school, as well as allowing UK pupils the opportunity to board.
Paul Smith, Hereford Cathedral School’s headmaster, said: “Lloyds Bank has been by our side throughout the project, understanding the educational advantages that our international links bring to our pupils, the school and the wider community.”
The investment comes as part of Lloyds Bank’s pledge to lend £18bn to UK businesses in 2019, with £1.5bn specified for firms across the South West.
Mark Smith, relationship director at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “In our increasingly international society, a well-rounded, multicultural education has never been more important. We’ve worked in partnership with Hereford Cathedral School for 30 years now, supporting it throughout its growth, and are proud to have helped it take the next step on its journey.”
