OBEDF

18/02/2026

Harold Haydn (Harry) Sternschuss (OB 1942- 49) funeral will be at 2pm Monday 23rd Feb at Parndon Wood Crematorium, Parndon Wood Road, Harlow CM19 4SF. Donations in memory of Harry can be sent to https://www.justgiving.com/page/hhsternschuss?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL&utm_campaign=020 in support of the Alzheimers Society

If you are planning to attend please contact the family on [email protected]

10/02/2026

Harold Haydn (Harry) Sternschuss (OB 1942- 49)
It is with sadness we report that Harry Sternschuss passed away on Feb 8th 2026. Harry was 94 born on Aug 15th 1931 and was a boarder at Bancroft's from 1942-49. He served for many years on the OB General committee and was President of the OBA in 1996. Throughout his life he was a staunch supporter of both the Association and the school and his children Rachel, Sarah and Simon both attended Bancroft's. He was also a keen actor and an active member of the OB Amateur Dramatic Society and appeared in many productions. Harry left school and started work in Southend where he worked as a Bingo caller (where he met his wife Jean (d.2017) and also started work as an articled clerk in accountancy. He later went on to become a partner in the accountancy firm Gerald Edelman and Co in Harley Street. We pass on our condolences to his family at this time.

16/01/2026

The OBEDF committee welcomes a number of new members to ensure that the legacy of the charity is secure for the future to support Bancrofts school Pupils and Old Bancroftians
The committee comprises Jack Lewis, Tony Le Cras, Kevin Campbell, Stephen Dodd, Janice Bissett, Rishabh Shah, Richard Channer, Robert Hitching. Gemma Wickes, Kavin Vijayakumar*, Monika Johal*, Jonathan Russell*, Not present Daniel Morgan-Thomas*, Stephanie McDonald*, Christopher Boote* *new members of OBEDF.

10/11/2025

The OBEDF will be holding its AGM at Drapers Hall on 24th November 2025 in the Wardens Room. Please follow link https://oldbancroftians.com/edf_new to download agenda and more details.

OBEDF, Old Bancroftians Educational Development Fund, Educational Charity

17/10/2025

OBA 117th Annual Dinner

Friday 6 March 2026

The Old Bancroftians’ Association is delighted to invite all Old Bancroftians and their guests to the 117th Annual Dinner, continuing their cherished tradition of connection and celebration.

Venue: Bancroft’s School Dining Hall
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Dress Code: Black Tie, OBA Tie, Lounge Suits or Evening Dress

Guests will enjoy a three-course silver service meal, a complimentary arrival drink, and the chance to purchase wine and beer on the night (cash and card accepted). Please note: the school’s alcohol licence does not permit guests to bring their own drinks.

Ticket Options range from £25- £70 for individual tickets. Table bookings also available.

Early bird discounts available until 30 November 2025!

Book here:

The Old Bancroftians' Association invite all Old Bancroftians and their guests for a dinner in the Dining Hall. Dress code : Black Tie/OBA Tie/...

17/10/2025

OBA dinner early bird reduced rate extended until 30/11 Book now to save 15%

17/10/2025

OBA 117th Annual Dinner early Bird extended to 30/11/2025 - Book now
Friday 6 March 2026
The Old Bancroftians’ Association is delighted to invite all Old Bancroftians and their guests to the 117th Annual Dinner, continuing their cherished tradition of connection and celebration.

Venue: Bancroft’s School Dining Hall
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Dress Code: Black Tie, OBA Tie, Lounge Suits or Evening Dress

Guests will enjoy a three-course silver service meal, a complimentary arrival drink, and the chance to purchase wine and beer on the night (cash and card accepted). Please note: the school’s alcohol licence does not permit guests to bring their own drinks.

Ticket Options range from £25- £70 for individual tickets. Table bookings also available.
Early bird discounts available until 2 November 2025!
Book here:

The Old Bancroftians' Association invite all Old Bancroftians and their guests for a dinner in the Dining Hall. Dress code : Black Tie/OBA Tie/...

01/07/2025

Helping young Bancroftians is also part of our goal and the following is an extract of a letter from a recent recipient of our support. "Thank you for giving me the opportunity to go on the Prep 2 leavers trip to Chester. I had a lovely time doing activities like white water rafting and rock climbing and more! I am very grateful to have been given the chance to spend a week with all my friends that I have made in the prep school. My favourite activity was white water rafting and I enjoyed swimming in Welsh waters. Thank you again for sponsoring my prep 2 residential trip."

10/06/2025

OBA Dinner 2026 - March 6th @ Bancroft's School
Put the date for your diary now for the OBA Dinner - March 6th 2026 at Bancroft's School. More information to follow. We are planning group tables, a great menu so why not meet up with others from your year group, meet people from other years a great networking opportunity. We hope to see you there - how and when to book coming soon.....

21/05/2025

The Old Bancroftian Educational Development Fund is pleased to advise that at its recent committee meeting it awarded a total of over £5000 in financial support to six pupils at Bancroft's School This support will enable their participation in a variety of school activities and enable these pupils to take part in events that would otherwise not be available to them. It is hoped their participation and our funding will assist in their personal development and enable them to take advantage of events offered by the school.

If you are interested in joining our committee or would like to make a donation to support our Charity then please contact us via our web page https://oldbancroftians.com/edf_new

14/05/2025

OBEDF committee meeting will be held at Drapers Hall on 19/05/2025. We have a full agenda and a number of applications for educational grants to consider. The addition of VAT to school fees is certainly having an effect on families on marginal incomes to support private schooling, and we want to where possible support them to ensure the children do not miss out on opportunities compared to their peers.📚📖🎓

27/02/2025

We received the following thank you from a person we were able to support. Making small differences to educational opportunities:
"I am delighted and extremely grateful to my parents and the OBEDF Committee for making this trip possible. I enjoyed the experience, had lots of fun and learnt a lot on this trip. Thank you to all the teachers who gave up their time to accompany us on this trip. I had an amazing time."