Leaving a legacy to
Bedford School
Our community is fiercely proud of its heritage, and one only has to walk around the school to realise just how much the greatness of Bedford School has been built upon the generosity of its benefactors over many generations. At Bedford School, there are so many different opportunities both in academic life and in our extensive range of co-curricular activities, which allows boys, of wide-ranging talents and interests, to thrive, prosper and become the best version of themselves, ‘that they be good men’. Underpinning our ethos is a strong sense of service to the local and wider community. We equip our pupils for life after Bedford School and prepare them to do what they can to make the world a better place. I would, in particular, like to thank all those who have made gifts to the school in more recent years. As we look to the future, we continue to rely on this generous tradition of giving. I therefore ask that you consider playing a future role in helping the school to continue to deliver a first-class education in first-class facilities.
James Hodgson Head Master
It all started with a legacy . . . More than five centuries ago, Bedford School's founder, Sir William Harpur, and his wife Dame Alice, gifted 13 acres of farmland, which enabled the establishment of Bedford School. We have been underpinned by philanthrophy ever since.
. . . the future is your legacy Leaving a legacy gift is an incredible gesture that demonstrates absolute faith in an institution, beyond a lifetime. At Bedford, legacy donations help us consistently evolve the school experience our boys receive, enabling us to nurture their ability and character, preparing them to become leaders of tomorrow. We appreciate that decision to leave a legacy can often be very personal and complex. If you are considering remembering your school, the fundraising team here can always be called to offer guidance and support. We cannot give financial advice, but we can help to maximise the impact of donations in line with any aspirations you have. As little as one percent of your estate will help us continue to offer an exceptional education to young Bedfordians. If you would like to discuss leaving a legacy of any size, please do feel free to get in touch with me directly.
Vincent Gaten Development Director vgaten@bedfordschool.org.uk +44 (0)1234 362263
Deciding where your legacy will go Unrestricted giving Unrestricted gifts allow the school to react to current needs, and help us to remain highly competitive in the independent school market. An unrestricted gift also demonstrates your faith in us as an organisation, who will put your donation to good use. School fees cover the cost of educating our boys, with only a small proportion of annual income being retained in the reserve funds that Companies House and the Charity Commission require the school to have. Unrestricted support is therefore vital as it allows the Head Master and Governors to be flexible to our needs, expected and unforeseen.
The James Surtees Phillpotts' Bursaries Fund Our pupils come to Bedford School from a variety of backgrounds and economic circumstances - all demonstrating talent and promise. Annually, close to ten percent of boys benefit from means-tested bursary support, allowing families from across the income spectrum to see Bedford as an accessible option. Bedford is committed to increasing the amount of financial aid offered at all levels so that the cost of a Bedford education remains attainable for all families. The James Surtees Philpotts' Bursary Fund supports pupils whose families demonstrate the greatest financial need. The means-testing process that is applied to all bursary applicants must indicate that the family can afford less than 20% of tutition fees for a pupil to qualify for support from this fund.
Enriching the Educational Experience Much of what makes Bedford School such an extraordinary place is the wealth of opportunity offered to boys - from the extensive enrichment programme and broad curriculum, to the many societies, sports and community services that make up our co-curricular programme. The breadth of activities inspires every boy to discover their unique passions. Your legacy could be used to contribute to the plethora of opportunities boys enjoy, either unrestrictedly, or by stipulating a use that reflects an aspect of school life, such as sport, the arts or a particular taught subject.
". . . being here on a bursary simply opened the door to an opportunity that I would never have had otherwise" Ciaran
“I am a proud Old Bedfordian who owes a great debt to this wonderful school for giving me an excellent foundation from which to develop a fulfilling life and career. Like many of you, I have also seen my children develop and flourish at Bedford, taking part in the same traditions, walking the same halls and being continually encouraged to challenge the norm. The experiences that I, my children and generations of other pupils have had are ones that have been supported and made possible by generous philanthropists and donors throughout our history. The next generation of pupils will have you to thank for their opportunities and the memories that they make here. They will be your legacy.”
Types of legacies Whether you are writing your will for the first time or amending it with a codicil or letter of wishes, leaving a bequest to Bedford School is straightforward. There are five types of legacy gifts: 1. Residuary Legacy is the gift of the remainder of your estate (or a percentage of the remainder) after all other gifts to family and friends have been distributed and all other testamentary debts and expenses have been paid. 2. Pecuniary Legacy is a gift of a specific sum of money. When making a pecuniary legacy it is possible for you to index-link the gift in order to secure its intended value over time. 3. Specific Legacy refers to the gift of a specific asset (e.g., stocks and shares, life insurance policy, property or items such as paintings or jewellery). This can be an attractive option where the asset has appreciated in value over the years and a lifetime scale would attract a high Capital Gains Tax liability. 4. Reversionary Legacy is effectively a postponed gift. It allows a specifically named person(s) to benefit from your estate (or part of it) during their lifetime and, on their death, your estate (or part of it) then passes to Bedford. 5. Conditional If none of your dependants survive you, your estate passes to other named beneficiaries and charities, for example Bedford School.
Which is right for you? If you choose to leave a gift in your will, you will need to inform your solicitor, who can advise the best type of legacy for you and add your wishes to your will. Please ensure that any legacy is made to the Bedford School Foundation Trust (Registered Charity No. 1094232)
Why Bursaries Matter Leroy was the recipient of a bursary which, in his own words, was life-changing. He came from a mixed-heritage family, growing up in a single-parent home and, ultimately, spending time in the foster care system with no guidance or role models from the community within which he lived. In his own words, Leroy’s life seemed to be going one way, the wrong way, with few opportunities and no way of stopping the downward spiral. However, Leroy was fortunate that, at the age of 12, there were people that showed an interest in him, believed in him, and put him on the right path to fulfil his potential. A teacher made clear that he was capable of more and put his name forward for Bedford School in the hope that the school would grant a full bursary. Despite struggling with the papers, it was clear that Leroy was a talented individual with great potential and he was offered a bursary. Leroy remained supported throughout his time at Bedford, and later when he moved onto university. “Thanks to a bursary, I was able to attend Bedford School. I believe this education provided me with three main benefits: firstly, the inspiring, down-to-earth and supportive ethos of the school, which filters down to the individual teachers; secondly, access to amazing sporting facilities, highly qualified coaching staff and opportunities for consistent participation and leadership in a variety of sports; and lastly, and most importantly, the house system and tutor system at Bedford gave me lifelong friends.” Leroy Knowles (92-97), Oxford Graduate, Investment Banker and Mentor.
Example of a gift For an estate with the total value of £880,000, a 5% commitment to Bedford School would result in a donation of £44,000. This amount would fully fund two years of Sixth Form study for a boy from a less financially advantaged background and open doors to more opportunities for his future.
at Bedford Recognising your gift The 1552 Club We believe making a commitment to Bedford School’s future by leaving a legacy should be recognised and celebrated during the donor’s lifetime, and beyond. In 2003, the 1552 Club was established, named after the year Edward VI granted letters patent for the permanent establishment of the school. The Club is open to all those who have notified us of their intention to make a bequest to the school. It gives us the opportunity to acknowledge and thank them during their lifetime, with invitations to special events and an early opportunity to learn of plans for the school’s future. Each member receives a letter of appreciation and is invited, with their partner, annually to the Commemoration of Founders and Benefactors Service followed by a lunch with the Head Master, Governors and senior staff in the Great Hall. We recognise that leaving a legacy can be highly personal, and respect the wishes of legacy pledgers who do not wish to join the 1552 club. We are happy to discuss other recognition opportunities, in-life or once the donation is made.
“Over lunch, the atmosphere was joyous as many caught up with old friends and new friendships were formed”
Your Legacy If you would like to leave a legacy to the Bedford School Foundation Trust, please contact our Development Director, Vincent Gaten, at vgaten@bedfordschool.org.uk
bedfordschool.org.uk