Bedford School seeks to raise good people first and foremost. It allows its pupils to flourish as academics, as sportsmen, as artists and, above all, as themselves in a supportive and ambitious environment. It helps to nurture their strengths and develop them as well-rounded young men throughout their time at the school and beyond.
The Bedford School Trust, which was created in 1926, merged in 2022 with the Bedford School Foundation to create the Bedford School Foundation Trust. The Bedford School Foundation Trust is the fundraising charity for the school and plays a key part in supporting the school and its pupils by raising funds for building projects, scholarships and bursaries, as well as a number of smaller projects.
The Foundation Trust’s mission is to ensure boys now, and in the future, have access to the best educational opportunities through the building of a culture of giving within the wider Bedford community.
Philanthropy and making donations to Bedford School is not a new phenomenon as, over the years, there are very many examples of benefactors who have made gifts to the school. Indeed, the School would not have come into being without the foresight of Sir William Harpur and his original act of benefaction. Over time there have been many appeals to support specific areas of School life and to help it move forward with the times.
It is extremely important that we remember the generosity of many generations and keep this tradition of giving alive. The Foundation Trust actively fundraises to help provide the best start in life possible for the boys of Bedford School. It is important to recognise that the Foundation Trust works very closely with the Governing Body and only supports projects which have their backing and tie in with the overall strategic aims of the school.