Elite Schools Reject British Philanthropist's $1.3M Donation to Help Underprivileged White Boys

Two leading public schools have turned down gifts worth more than £1million for scholarships for poor white boys after they claimed it would be discriminatory.

Sir Bryan Thwaites, 96, wanted to leave the money to Winchester School and Dulwich College because he had attended both on scholarships.

He planned to help poor, white students because research has shown that they are among the lowest achievers in education.

The offer was apparently refused for fear it would break equality laws.

Last year a scholarship at Cambridge University, funded by grime star Stormzy, offered financial support for black British students.

Sir Bryan told The Times: 'If Cambridge University can accept a much larger donation in support of black students, why cannot I do the same for under-privileged white British?

'Winchester said it would harm its reputation by accepting my bequest, but in my opinion it would gain enormously by being seen to address what is the severe national problem of the underperforming white cohort in schools.'

(2/3) The effects are felt at university, where the participation gap between young women and men is getting ever wider.

Last year there were 4 new female students for every 3 males. pic.twitter.com/ZLx0rEcbfa

— John Burn-Murdoch (@jburnmurdoch) December 14, 2018

(3/3) And the problem is particularly acute for white boys from poor backgrounds.

Only 9% make it to university — the lowest rate of any group. pic.twitter.com/2282eg7gve

— John Burn-Murdoch (@jburnmurdoch) December 14, 2018