As Head of Art for over 20 years at Marlborough, Robin Child taught, nurtured and motivated hundreds of pupils, many of whom have gone on to have a  lifelong passion for art or a career in the creative sector.  The College is therefore delighted to announce that in his honour, and thanks to the generosity of several individuals, £1.5m has now been raised to fund a Robin Child Art Bursary.  This bursary, which forms part of the ongoing Marlborough Difference Campaign, will support a talented young artist from a disadvantaged background to attend the College in perpetuity.

In recognition of Robin Child’s time at Marlborough, Professor Cav Simon Mordant AO (B1 1973-77) kindly funded the very first recipient of the Robin Child Art Bursary in 2022.  Simon said that “Robin unlocked and inspired my passion for art that has transformed my life. I was delighted to be able to give a young person that same opportunity at Marlborough”.  

Since 2022 we have been raising funds to make the bursary permanent and thanks to further donations from Simon Mordant, Tim Martin-Jenkins (B3 1961-65), Dominic Slade (C3 1984-89), and Miel de Botton (LI 1984-86) we have now completed the funding.  Tim, who is also Chair of the Marlborough College Foundation, said “I am so pleased that we have been able to fund this endowed bursary – growing the endowment is a major priority for the Marlborough Difference Campaign”.

Robin said “I am honoured to have a bursary at Marlborough named after me.  My time at the College was a stimulating and wonderful experience and I owe all my remarkable students a great debt of thanks.  I am most grateful to the generous donors who have made this a reality.”  In 2022, the College was delighted to host Robin’s exhibition, ‘Not From Anywhere’, at The Mount House Gallery. The exhibition marked fifty years since Robin came to Marlborough.  During Robin’s twenty years at Marlborough, pupils opting to study art grew considerably, exam results were exceptional and, most importantly, Robin’s legendary teaching had a profound impact on thousands of young people who have since pursued a career in art.

Edward Twohig (CR 2017- ), current Head of Art at Marlborough, said “Robin’s time at the College was nothing short of transformational and I am delighted and beyond grateful that these generous individuals have honoured Robin in this way”.

The first beneficiary of this new fund will start at Marlborough in September 2026.