The Rather Use Than Fame Club

Creating opportunities for pupils and our community

Join our community of regular supporters and help us create more opportunities for William Ellis pupils every year.

Taking its inspiration from the school motto — “Rather Use Than Fame”, as meaningful today as ever, our regular giving initiative brings together alumni, parents, and friends who want to make a lasting difference to our pupils’ futures.

Your ongoing support helps us expand our impact across the school, funding experiences and opportunities that go beyond what core budgets can cover.

In a student’s words:

Watch a short speech from a current William Ellis pupil on what Rather Use Than Fame means to him as he looks to the future — a moment that captured so much hope for the world to come.

Making your donation

In recognition of the school’s founding year, we suggest a monthly donation of £18.62 — but please feel free to give any amount that suits you.
Every contribution, large or small, helps us continue creating exceptional opportunities for our pupils.

How your gift makes a difference

All donations made through the Rather Use Than Fame Club are used exclusively to enhance opportunities for William Ellis students.

While the school’s core funding largely comes from returns on our modest endowment, these additional contributions allow us to go further and do more. We will report each year on what we have made possible as a collective through the club.

Your donations may support:

  1. Outdoor Education: Subsidising attendance at The Mill for pupils from under-resourced backgrounds, ensuring it remains an opportunity for all.

  2. Resources for learning: Purchasing equipment and materials that enhance teaching and learning, beyond what school budgets can provide.

  3. Enrichment and experience: Funding trips, workshops, and creative projects that inspire curiosity and confidence

Thank you

Thank you for considering joining the Rather Use Than Fame Club.
Together, we can continue the William Ellis tradition of generosity, purpose, and impact — using our resources for good, rather than for fame.

As the club grows we will be listing supporters below and will write to you to see if you would like to be mentioned by name or be counted anonymously. A small modicum of fame is there on offer in return for your generosity if desired.