Hereford Cathedral School was founded in 1384 as a school for choristers. Since then, it has changed and grown to over 700 pupils, and we continue to strive to welcome pupils from a broad range of social backgrounds.
Every year, we offer fee support to a number of pupils, but with our limited resources, there are many more that we have to turn away. Bright, talented children from less privileged backgrounds who would undoubtedly benefit from all the School offers and who would give so much back.
In the past, the government funded Direct Grants and later Assisted Places, which in the 1990s provided support for 40% of our pupils. Such schemes no longer exist.
You, our alumni, have helped us raise £150,000 so far and this is already contributing to bursary places, for which we thank you. Our aim now is to build on that figure, enabling HCS to provide not just more bursary places but to offer 100% of fees to some low-income families, plus a little extra to help with lunches, uniform, music tuition and perhaps even a school trip, making the whole HCS experience truly reachable.
Please help us to transform more futures.
Hereford Cathedral School would not be the exceptional institution it is today without the support of our alumni and friends.
Hereford Cathedral School's production of Chicago at The Courtyard, February 2023
Pave the way for generation the next
“My
time at Hereford Cathedral School was one of the happiest of my life. I wanted to be able to reach out and give something back to the School and its next generations. Giving to the Bursary Fund seems like the most rewarding way to do that.”
BEN FURNIVAL | OLD HEREFORDIAN 1992-99 | BURSARY FUND DONOR
CASE STUDY LIVI VAN WARMELO
OLD HEREFORDIAN 2011-18
MUSIC AT ST ANNE’S COLLEGE, OXFORD
My life changed the moment I was granted 100% fee support.
I joined Hereford Cathedral School in Year 7 and there have been so many opportunities, not just in music, but academically and emotionally. I have grown and developed and found myself doing things far outside my comfort zone.
My Mum says that the moment I stepped through the doors of the School, something opened in me. I think it gave me the opportunity to reach out and grasp things I would never have thought of, like going to Oxford to read Music. My time at HCS has meant everything to me.
CASE STUDY FRANKIE PERKS
OLD HEREFORDIAN 2017-19
ECONOMICS & BUSINESS AT CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
When I was offered a bursary, I was ecstatic. I felt like I had been welcomed into a family and that feeling has never gone away.
I joined Hereford Cathedral School in the Sixth Form from a local state school. As a rugby player, I knew many of the pupils at HCS and always envied the opportunities – both sporting and academic – that they had. For me, bursary support is so important. It opens up opportunities for pupils that wouldn’t otherwise be there, and brings variety to the school community.
CASE STUDY CHLOE GILBERT
OLD HEREFORDIAN 2009-11
FINE ART AT UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
My time at Hereford Cathedral School was very special and had a significant impact on my life.
My Sixth Form experience at HCS gave me the drive and determination that enabled me to pursue an academic career reading Fine Art at Oxford, which was my passion. It also gave me the skills and strength to operate in a number of diverse environments in my career, including the National Trust, Gloucester Cathedral and now as a Site Manager for Kier Construction.
None of this would have been possible without the full fee support I was awarded, and for which I am so grateful.
CASE STUDY JON PRIDAY
OLD HEREFORDIAN 1969-76, RETIRED TEACHER
Hereford Cathedral School made so many things possible for me. I could never have attended without financial assistance.
During my time at HCS, I mixed with different people and was taught by a great body of teachers. The experience lifted my aspirations. I was the first in my family to go to university, and when I returned to HCS as a teacher, I strove to give something back. Offering a place to a child whose family do not have the means to afford the fees, gives them the opportunity to be transformed by an HCS education. What could be better?
Reach out and help transform lives
An education at Hereford Cathedral School means that a pupil’s pivotal years are spent developing confidence and character. The School’s exemplary teaching practices and first-class extra-curricular programme offer a truly enriching experience; one that we hope to offer to even more youngsters who would otherwise miss out.
A gift from you, no matter what size, can help change a life and enable a young person to reach their full potential.
Since 2017, Hereford Cathedral School has been unable to support 50% of bursary applicants.
If 20 people donated per month for a year*, this would provide one 100% bursary place for a year *plus Gift Aid £50
Academically, our bursary holders excel, typically achieving 70% A*-B grades in their A-Levels.
An investment of would generate £14,000 per annum – enough to fund one bursary place forever £325k
An enduring Bursary Fund will enable talented children to attend HCS, regardless of financial circumstances.
HOW FAR YOUR MONEY GOES
Your monthly donation
£15
Total value to HCS over three years, with Gift Aid
£675
Net cost to you over three years if you pay Higher Rate Tax
£5,400 £9,000
REGULAR GIFTS
A regular contribution to the Bursary Fund, however small, can have a significant impact over time. You can control the amount and frequency of any regular gift and make changes according to your circumstances.
SINGLE GIFTS
We always welcome single donations and all gifts will be gratefully received into the Bursary Fund.
LEGACIES
We appreciate that not everyone is able to donate to the Bursary Fund in their lifetime. Leaving a bequest in your will, whatever the size, enables us to build our Bursary Fund and make an HCS education possible for future generations. Leaving a bequest in your will could reduce the taxable value of your estate.
TAX-EFFICIENT WAYS OF GIVING
In addition to Gift Aid, there are a number of payroll, company matched giving schemes which would enhance any donation you might like to make. If you would like to discuss tax-efficient giving, gifts of shares or property, or other areas of giving, please contact the Development Team on 01432 363590.
The Bursary Fund is protected and can only be spent or invested for the specific purpose of bursaries. All our bursary recipient families undergo stringent means and asset testing which is reviewed annually.
WHAT DOES IT COST TO CHANGE A LIFE?
Age 11
Up to age 16 Up to age 18
£14k £71k £99k
per annum for five years up to Year 11 for seven years up to Year 13
ONLINE: You can give a one-off gift by visiting www.herefordcs.com/reach-out
BY POST: You can set up a regular donation or send us a single gift by post, by completing the enclosed donation form and returning it to the Development Team at HCS.
BY PHONE: If you would like to discuss any aspect of giving with us, please call the Development Team on 01432 363 590.
