Elite schools refuse to accept £1m gift after donor says it can only be spent on white boys

One says ‘discrimination on grounds of a boy’s colour’ is not ‘compatible with its values’

Two UK schools have turned down large donations over concerns the money was only destined for poor white children.

Winchester College and Dulwich College, both private schools, were reportedly offered over £1m in total for the scholarship fees of underprivileged white boys from the UK.

Some studies have shown white British children on free school meals struggle academically compared to those from other ethnicities – which is why Sir Bryan Thwaites made the specific request, according to The Times.

Both private schools have said, however, they do not accept donations with racial conditions attached.

Dr Joe Spence, the master of Dulwich College, said he is “resistant” to take awards made with “any ethnic or religious criteria”.

He said: “Bursaries are an engine of social mobility and they should be available to all who pass our entrance examinations, irrespective of their background.”

A Winchester College spokesperson said: “Notwithstanding legal exceptions to the relevant legislation, the school does not see how discrimination on grounds of a boy’s colour could ever be compatible with its values.”

Sir Bryan told The Times: “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.”

He said: “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?”

Sir Bryan was referring to how grime artist Stormzy pays for two black students’ tuition fees and living costs each year so they can study at Cambridge.

The university said earlier this year they had a record number of black students, and dubbed it “the Stormzy effect”.

Oxbridge have come under criticism after figures showed some colleges failed to admit any British black students over the span of several years.

Sir Bryan reportedly intended to leave £400,000 in his will to Dulwich College, which is in south London, and £800,000 to Winchester College in Hampshire.

Additional reporting by Press Association