One recent leaver, Justine Archer, has first-hand experience of the power of bursaries to transform lives. Justine joined St Paul's in 2000 on a bursary funded by the Ogden Trust. By the time she left to study maths at Edinburgh in 2007, she had been a member of the head girl team, visited Lucknow to take part in the International Mathematical Olympiad, become heavily involved in drama and organised the school environmental society. She'd also taken A levels in English literature, chemistry, maths, further maths and physics.

It's not just the quality of a St Paul's education that makes being here so special, according to Justine – it's also the unique range of resources the school has to offer. "It's easy to assume that resources mean the facilities for drama, sport, IT, music, science and private study – which are all undeniably excellent – or even the opportunities to go on fantastic visits, take part in a huge variety of competitions or meet the most interesting and influential people. I actually mean the lively activity St Paul's buzzes with and the high concentration of bright young women."

"Too many people think St Paul's has a terrifying reputation," adds Justine. "In fact, most students are normal teenagers living comfortable, but not extravagant, lives. I spent seven years there building friendships that will last forever and feeling no gap at all between myself and my peers."

Justine is in no doubt that her years at St Paul's and the generosity of our donors have altered the course of her life. "I don't know how many other young women can honestly say that they would feel comfortable talking to anyone, about anything, in almost any situation. I do know that the confidence to be able to do that was given to me at St Paul's. That security is what St Paul's means to me."

The bursary campaign constantly needs new donations to maintain our current level of funding. Donations of any amount will help us and there are many ways to give to the campaign - from donating online or writing a cheque to joining a syndicate or even making a bequest. UK taxpayers can donate under the Gift Aid scheme, which increases donations by reclaiming an amount equal to the basic rate of tax paid on the sum.