A BOLTON School old boy who has been made a partner at Goldman Sachs is ensuring young people can benefit from the first class education he received.

Adam Crook, who left the school in 1992, has donated £100,000 so four students, who would otherwise not have been able to afford it, can attend Bolton School boys’ sixth form.

The donation has been arranged through the Goldman Sachs (GS) Gives Fund. The fund can be used by partners at their discretion to support charities and projects which meet key criteria, including social mobility – a key priority for the school.

The boys selected will have their fees paid in full by the Adam Crook/Goldman Sachs Gives Bursary grant.

Adam said: “Looking back at my own family history, it’s only really in the last couple of generations that there has been genuine potential for social mobility, through access to education and a broader more meritocratic society.

“Education is transformational and for my grandparents, growing up in Bolton, today’s opportunities were just not available. Every child should have the opportunity to fulfil their academic potential and that shouldn’t just be a function of where you grow up or whether your parents can afford it.’ He added: “I do think the school offers something unique and truly opens children’s eyes to opportunities in the community and beyond. I would love to be able to support some of those children who can’t take advantage of these opportunities because of family circumstances.

“Being at a US firm, the ethos of donating to a former school or college is quite ingrained. It made sense to me, along with some other things I am doing with Veterans’ charities, to give something back to my old school and community.

"The school Bursary Scheme does an excellent job broadening access to education across the community and I would encourage any former pupil, who finds him- or herself in a position where they are able to help, to consider contributing to this effort.”

Headmaster Philip Britton added: “These bursaries will make a difference not just to the young people who receive them but also to those in the communities they will be part of in later life as they live out the values that we promote here and use their talents for the greater good. There could be no better example of that than Adam’s own personal success, leading to him giving these bursaries."