Michael Gove's Former School Battles Trust Over Bursary Cuts

Robert Gordon's College, a private school attended by former Cabinet minister Michael Gove, is initiating legal proceedings against the Aberdeen Endowments Trust (AET) over proposed reductions in bursary funding. The trust, which provides financial aid for pupils from families earning less than £80,000 to attend the fee-paying school, applied in September to redirect funds towards state schools and charities.

The college, where annual fees can reach £21,000, is challenging the trust's plans in court. A source close to the school confirmed the legal action. Historically, Robert Gordon's College has been the primary beneficiary of AET funds. However, the proposed changes would decrease the college's share of funding to 70 percent over the next five years, with a subsequent minimum of 49 percent thereafter.

A spokesperson for the school stated that the governors are exploring all options to safeguard the college's rights and interests. "The trustees of AET are proposing changes to the organisation’s governance and constitutional structures which would significantly reduce RGC’s ability to offer these bursaries," the spokesperson said. "In response, the governors of RGC are considering all avenues to protect the college’s existing rights and interests, so that we can continue to widen access for learners across the north east of Scotland."

The Aberdeen Endowments Trust maintains that a reorganization would enable capital spending and broaden support to students across the northeast of Scotland. "The goal of Aberdeen Endowments Trust is to distribute funds to support educational opportunities for children, young people, and adults across Aberdeen," a spokesman for the trust said. "Throughout our history, we have had a close association with Robert Gordon’s College. We have provided bursaries to help many pupils attend the college, and we look forward to continuing that relationship. We are committed to adhering to the regulatory process with OSCR, and until the outcome of our application to OSCR is confirmed, we are unable to comment further."

The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) acknowledged awareness of the ongoing court proceedings. "OSCR was recently made aware that court proceedings are ongoing. As we are not involved in those proceedings, we are not in a position to comment on them," a statement from the regulator read.

Michael Gove, who served as Westminster’s Education Secretary, attended Robert Gordon's College on a scholarship during the 1970s. Other notable alumni include the late Aberdeen oil tycoon Sir Ian Wood, former Scotland captain Martin Buchan, and immunologist Ian Frazer, credited with inventing the HPV vaccine.