The Old Cliftonian Society – our community for life

Our Community for Life

Clifton College has long been known for instilling a longstanding sense of community among our pupils. For many, being a part of the College continues long after their school days have passed. Old Cliftonians (OCs) remain engaged with the school, contributing their time, talents, and expertise in ways that enrich the current generation of students and maintain the legacy of excellence for which the school is known.

A Network for Life

The Old Cliftonian Society plays a pivotal role in ensuring that connections forged during school continue to thrive. Through its regular events and reunions, OCs are invited to come back to the school and renew old friendships while building new ones. The society organises everything from dinners and sports events to networking opportunities, helping OCs stay connected with each other and the College.

Inspiring the Next Generation

In 2023, two recent Old Cliftonians, Ioan Lloyd and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, returned to Clifton College to share their experiences with current pupils. Now playing rugby at the international level for Wales and England, respectively; Ioan and Immanuel spoke about the hard work, resilience, and dedication needed to succeed in professional sport. Their visit was an inspiring moment for many aspiring athletes at the school, showing them that with determination, they too can reach their dreams.

The connection between OCs and the school is not just about tradition—it’s also about innovation. Mr. Lal Chellaram, a distinguished Old Cliftonian, made a significant donation that enabled the construction of the state-of-the-art Chellaram Sports Complex. This facility, designed for use by both pupils and the wider community, stands as a testament to how alumni contributions can transform a pupil’s experience.

Last year, OC Alan Mann, very generously supported the installation of a golf simulator over the summer, providing yet another resource for pupils to develop their skills. These generous acts of philanthropy ensure that the facilities at Clifton College remain cutting-edge, offering pupils an unparalleled environment in which to excel.

Giving Back

Many Old Cliftonians also give back by sharing their professional expertise. This relationship between past and present pupils creates a dynamic flow of support, with each generation helping the next to succeed. Our alumni network is vast and diverse, covering industries from business and law to the arts and sciences. OCs often act as mentors for current pupils, offering career guidance, internships, and networking opportunities. This relationship between past and present pupils creates a dynamic flow of support, with each generation helping the next to succeed.

This year has seen the OCS focus on the creation of a Careers and Mentoring programme. We have over 7700 OCs working in 99 countries around the world, covering a multitude of professions and vocations. The programme enables OCs to act as mentors and advisors to current pupils, graduates and those seeking a midlife change of career, offering career guidance, internships, and networking opportunities.

The generosity of Old Cliftonians is not just limited to donations. Their time, expertise, and mentorship play a huge role in helping Clifton College maintain its position as a leading educational institution. Whether it’s Ioan and Immanuel coming back to inspire young athletes or OCs from different industries offering career advice, these gestures create a lasting impact on the school community.

A Lifelong Bond

Possibly one of the most significant ways that OCs stay involved is through their emotional connection to the school. We’re proud that pupils leave us with a sense of belonging that remains with its pupils long after they’ve moved on. Many alumni find themselves returning to the College to celebrate milestones, attend events, or even enrol their own children here. For them, Clifton is not just a chapter in their lives, but an ongoing story in which they continue to play an important role.