The head of English may be appalled, but Britain’s private schools are beginning to use the sort of curious neologisms characteristic of professional fundraisers.

St Peter’s School in York plans to follow up last year’s Telethon with this summer’s Thankathon. Sixth-formers will express the 1,402-year-old school’s gratitude to recent donors – addressing givers’ regular plaint of “you only ever talk to me if you want some money”, says Erica Town, head of marketing.