St Catherine’s, Bramley
Dear Friend,
St Catherine’s is a strong and forward-thinking school and its strength comes not just from the current community but also from its alumnae. Those who ask about leaving a gift in their Will to St Catherine’s recognise the value their education has played in their life and have a desire that others too might benefit in the future. This little leaflet aims to share our ambitions for girls’ education at St Catherine’s and outline the impact of choosing to leave your School a gift in your Will. Such a gift would cost you nothing now. Gifts in Wills are therefore a way of giving which suits some of the St Catherine’s family; we really appreciate such generosity because it helps us secure the School’s long-term future for the benefit of generations to come.
A gift in your Will would give girls the opportunity to follow in your footsteps - through the red brick arches, into the classrooms or labs, onto the concert stage, to the Lax fields or into Chapel. Many generations preceded you at St Catherine’s poring over books in School Block and singing in the Speech Hall. St Catherine’s will, in the decades ahead, welcome so many more into a world of learning and laughter.
A gift in your Will to St Catherine’s will ‘Let us go on’… raising girls’ ambitions encouraging independent thinking building self-confidence and positivity creating drive and determination developing compassion and a sense of community.
All gifts to the School, large or small, are valuable in securing a St Catherine’s education for girls who will go on to higher education and distinguished careers. I feel privileged to have led the School community for nearly 20 years now and have left a gift in my Will with every confidence that the School will thrive, well beyond my lifetime. I know that through a St Catherine’s education, bright girls will have bright futures and contribute to a brighter tomorrow.
Once you have made provision for your loved ones in your Will – which must of course be the priority – I invite you to consider leaving a gift to the School’s future pupils. This is a personal decision and one that requires reflection on one’s values, beliefs and hopes for the future of our world. Should you wish to discuss a gift, please do get in touch with Pippa Carte, our Development Director. Whilst she is not a legal professional, she leads on charitable giving to the School and can discuss how your gift can have an impact on future lives.
Thank you very much.
Mrs Alice Phillips – Headmistress
Headmistress: Mrs AM Phillips MA Cantab
School Office
Tel: 01483 893363
Fax: 01483 899608
E-mail: schooloffice@stcatherines.info
Website: www.stcatherines.info
We rise by lifting others.
Robert Ingersoll
A company limited by guarantee. Registered No. 3596520 England and Wales
Registered Charity No. 1070858
In membership of the Girls’ Schools Association
An educated girl is a force for change
The formative years of education have a critical influence on girls’ values. The characteristics and hallmarks of many alumnae are seen in the St Catherine’s girls of today. The School’s ethos has been consistent since its foundation in 1885. This ethos embeds itself in the girls who are lucky enough to study here and shapes not just their own lives but also those of the wider society. They offer the world their love of learning, leadership, creativity and a desire to have a positive effect on the world.
Giving to a brighter tomorrow
Your gift will help St Catherine’s go on into the future. You can help a bright girl explore new ideas and fly higher than she thought possible. Your gift might inspire the future scientist that finds a cure for Parkinson’s Disease; shape the interests of a girl whose artistic design skills are then fulfilled in city planning; or give a quieter girl the self-confidence and mettle to allow her to communicate her ideas and influence social policy.
Will you ‘Let us go on’…?
Charitable gifts in Wills are free of Inheritance Tax (IT) and a gift to St Catherine’s in your Will could reduce your estate’s IT bill if the value of your estate is more than the current IT threshold of £325,000 (although this threshold may be increased if certain circumstances apply to your estate).
There are additional IT savings if you leave 10% of your estate to charity, the gift to charity is tax free and the remainder of your estate will attract a 10% discount on the rate of IT paid. This can reduce the rate of IT from 40% to 36%.
If you chose to make a gift to St Catherine’s in your Will you should ask your solicitor for advice on the potential IT savings and you may also like to consider index linking the gift in your Will so that the value of your gift is as you intended and not affected by depreciation over time.
Choosing how you’d like your gift to be spent
Your legacy will be held in the St Catherine’s Development Fund and the Governors and Bursar will steward it with great care and invest your gift where it is most needed.
Should you wish, you can ask that your gift specifically support:
The Bursary Fund – to give girls with the academic potential, but without the family financial means, the opportunity of a St Catherine’s education.
The Create the Future Fund – to develop new buildings which enhance and support innovative teaching and learning.
Our promise to you
We ask that you tell us in confidence if you choose to leave a gift in your Will to St Catherine’s. Why? Because helping the School to create a bright future through educating young women is an incredible gift. We would welcome the opportunity to talk to you about your gift, thank you for your support and ensure your wishes are carried out.
Of course we promise not to intrude on your privacy and we quite understand that your circumstances may change and you may need to alter your Will in the future. Telling us of your gift is not legally binding and merely indicates a promise at that point in time.
Taking advice
We encourage you to seek legal advice in making your gift to St Catherine’s in your Will. There is a Codicil form on our website with guidance that allows you to outline your wishes, get witnesses and retain this instruction with your Will. For ease we also have a postcard available for you to send to your solicitor requesting that they contact you to discuss your gift.
Getting in touch
If you would like to discuss leaving a gift in your Will to St Catherine’s School, please do contact Pippa Carte, Development Director , on 01483 899754 or via email pippa.carte@stcatherines.info
I believe in giving bright girls a bright future for a brighter tomorrow.
Let us go on...
Please do tell us of your decision to support St Catherine’s in this very special way so that we can acknowledge and thank you for your gift and recognise your commitment to the School.
I have already left a gift in my Will to St Catherine’s School Development Fund
I intend to leave a gift in my Will to St Catherine’s and have advised my solicitor.
I am considering leaving a gift in my Will – please contact me.
On receipt of my legacy, I would like a tree planted as a symbol of my gift to learning.
Thank you
Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world. Nelson Mandela
We are all ordinary people, but even an ordinary person can in their own small way turn on a small light in a dark room.
Miep Gies
Let us go on...
A tree in your memory
If you let us know of your decision to include a gift to St Catherine’s in your Will, on receipt of your legacy, we will have a sapling planted in the School grounds in your name.
We firmly believe that the dedication of a tree is a fitting tribute, marking the impact your gift to the School will have in the future.
We also invite all those who leave a gift in their Wills to visit the School and join the Head at community celebrations. You are welcome at any time to come to St Catherine’s, see the archives from your time at School and talk to current pupils.
development@stcatherines.info
www.stcatherines.info