THE WOODARD SCHOOLS.
[To THE EDITOR or TEO " SPECT1TOR."]
Sra,—" That true religion and useful learning may for ever flourish and abound." Thus the preacher in the historic pulpit of St. Mary's, Oxford, in the bidding prayer sums up the purpose which inspired the founders of that old university. They realized the supreme need that there should never be lacking a supply of men duly qualified to serve God in Church and State. For such men their first care was to provide a sound and liberal education based on definite religious teach- ing. For such education throughout the controversies of recent years the Spectator has consistently stood firm. We venture, therefore, to hope that you, Sir, will allow us, through your columns, to reach those who, being in agreement with you, are ready to co-operate in this the greatest of all causes. It was to this cause that Canon Woodard devoted his whole life, and the Corporation formed by him in 1848 has for more than two generations carried on and developed the scheme of its founder. On the shoulders of Nathaniel Woodard fell the mantle of William of Wykeham.
With a seer's vision and a statesman's grasp of the situation he addressed himself to the task of supplementing the existing public schools by new schools to be carried on in the spirit of the old foundations. To-day there are some fifteen schools for boys and girls under the Woodard Trust. It is for one of these, St. Katherine's School for Girls, that we ask the generous support of those who themselves are debtors to the liberality of the past.
St. Katherine's, which had been carried on with marked success for many years. at Mortimer House. Clifton, was trans- ferred by its founder, Mrs. Meyrick Heath, to the Woodard Corporation. With a view to providing increased accommoda- tion the Provost and Fellows decided to move the school to Heatherton. Park, Taunton. The change was effected during the last Easter holidays. The new buildings are most suitable for the purpose. With beautiful surroundings they are spacious and allow of the necessary additions, new classrooms and dormitories, which are essential for the development of the school. The outlook is most hopeful. Not only is the school full, but there is every prospect of an increase in numbers.
But the Woodard Trust is without endowment. Our founder throughout worked on the principle, "Provide the buildings and we will carry on the school." To provide the buildings we require a capital sum of .210,000. This sum will enable us to pay off the existing debt on the purchase of Heatherton Park and to erect the new buildings. A generous friend has already promised a donation of £500 provided that a similar gift is made before the end of September. We feel confident that an opportunity so unique will not be allowed to pass away, or a work so important to be crippled, through lack of a generous response to our appeal. Assistance can be given in two ways: (1) Donations towards the Building Fund. (2) The loan of a capital sum at a low rate of interest.—We are, Sir, &c.,
CHARLES E. Consists, Bishop, Fellow. FRANCIS M. ETHERINGTON, Provost. HENRY MARTIN Glass, Custos.
The Society of SS. Mary and Andrew, Taunton.
P.S.—Donations may be sent direct to one of us c/o the Secretary, St. Katherine's School, Heatherton Park, Taunton.
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