The long-awaited publication of the Charities Commission guidance on public benefit, last year, saw a flurry of headlines in the press about independent schools and their responsibilities. Virtually all these headlines used word like ‘posh’, ‘rich’, ‘exclusive’ and ‘elitist’ to describe independent schools.

Even the most casual visitor to a school like Christ College, Brecon would find it hard to force such a definition upon us. Thankfully our community is made up of a wide array of different sorts of children, from all points on the academic spectrum. Our families work hard to send their children to the school; it is not easy for most of them, coming as they do from farming families, the armed forces and from local businesses. They would not see themselves as posh, rich, exclusive or elitist, and I would hate our school to be seen in that way.

What they all have in common is the desire to see their children educated in the best possible way; academically stretched and supported, given opportunities on the games field, in outdoor pursuits, in music, drama and art and, most of all, prepared for the next stage of life by being allowed to develop as individuals with leadership and teamwork skills. I find it astonishing that some elements of the press want to blame them for wanting the best for their children, and blame independent schools like ours for using their independence to offer what we believe is the very best education available.

Christ College aims to work closely with the local community in which it sits. Many of our families are local, our facilities are used regularly by local primary schools and other community groups and we run Tudor Days to which younger pupils can come, learning about the school’s foundation under Henry VIII. What’s more, we educate over 300 children at a time at no cost to the state (saving the government £1.6 million this year), we train teachers at no cost to the state and we offer generous bursaries to make it easier for pupils to attend. Pupils and staff are involved in a wide range of local community projects and charities.

Far from being elitist or exclusive, we are a warm, positive, life-enhancing community of people offering a welcome to everyone who crosses our threshold.