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Fundraising & Development - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Bedales Schools Development Trust?

The Bedales Schools Development Trust has been established to focus on the fundraising priorities of Bedales, Dunhurst and Dunannie, ie. to raise funds for bursaries and capital projects. The trustees are parents and Old Bedalians and the school is very grateful to all those who are already supporting the work of the Trust.

What is the John Badley Foundation?

The John Badley Foundation is an endowment fund which will provide substantial bursaries for talented youngsters, enabling them to access a Bedales education regardless of their financial circumstances.
The Foundation is named after the school’s founder, John Badley, who believed the strict Victorian schooling regime ‘simply would not do’; he pioneered an approach that recognised children as individuals, nurturing their independence, ethics and creativity. Badley founded Bedales to be different, to educate through head, hand and heart; the Foundation will broaden access to this unique approach to learning. Please click here to view the John Badley Foundation fundraising brochure.

Why has the Foundation been established?

The John Badley Foundation has been established to broaden access to a Bedales education. It will provide from 80% to full bursaries, and in some cases, fund additional extras such as music lessons. Additionally, the Foundation will cement links with external communities by enabling talented individuals to benefit from the Badley ethos regardless of their family’s circumstances.

What about investing in the facilities?

The Bedales Development Trust is also raising funds for continuous improvements to the Bedales estate in addition to broadening access through the John Badley Foundation bursaries. In particular, we will be making significant investments in the art and music facilities, creating yet better opportunities for the highly talented artists and musicians Bedales attracts and develops. More information will be published when available. 

For those who would like to help us improve facilities more immediately, we are raising funds for a sports pavilion in memory of Sam Banks OB.

How will the Foundation support the schools’ aims?

Having more talented pupils who otherwise would have been unable to benefit from a Bedales education will contribute significantly to the schools’ aims, which are to:

• Develop inquisitive thinkers with a love of learning who cherish independent thought.
• Enable students’ talents to develop through doing and making.
• Foster individuality and encourage initiative, creativity and the appreciation of the beautiful.
• Enable students, former students, parents and staff to take pride in the community’s distinctiveness, and feel valued and nourished by the community.
• Foster interest beyond the school – engaging with the local community and developing an international awareness.

In addition to funding new bursaries, the Bedales Schools Development Trust also offers donors the opportunity to contribute funds towards various new priority building projects on the Bedales estate for all three schools.

What is your fundraising target?

This is a concerted and long term initiative to finance numerous pupils who otherwise couldn’t afford it in all year groups from aged 11-18. It is difficult, given the current economic climate, to give an immediate target. Suffice to say, we are seeking to raise millions of pounds over the coming years to support our ambitious plans for bursaries and capital projects.

How soon will the bursary places become available?

The first JBF award holder started in Bedales Block 4 in September 2011. We continue to seek both additional donations and the right candidates who could benefit from this life-changing opportunity.

What about the existing bursary schemes?

The new Foundation bursaries augments, and not replaces,  the existing schemes we offer to support specific bursary awards:

• Bedales Grants Trust Fund – primarily to enable the children of Old Bedalians to attend the school
• Hardship Fund – to assist existing Bedales families facing financial difficulties

How do I donate to the school?

It’s easy to make a gift for bursaries or capital projects. You can choose to give through regular donations, one-off lump sums and legacies, as well as broader support through fundraising events and gifts-in kind. Every contribution is valued and appreciated. Or perhaps you would be interested in organising a fundraising event or making a regular donation.

• Regular donations - One of the best ways to help is to make a regular monthly, quarterly or annual donation by standing order. These will form a reliable income to build the fund.
• Tax efficient giving - Completing the ‘Gift Aid’ section enables the school, as a charity, to augment donations by reclaiming tax from the Government. For a donation of £100, we can receive £28 from HMRC under the current regulations, so the total value of the donation is £128. There are additional benefits for high-rate tax payers.
• Legacies - Over the years Bedales has benefited from significant legacies that have supported the school’s growth and development. The school has established a legacy society for those who have mentioned Bedales in their will.

Donation forms can be requested from the Bedales Development Office or can be downloaded here. If you’d like to make a donation now, please visit our online giving page.

Isn’t Bedales doing this because the school has to in accordance with Charity Commission guidelines?

No, the idea of broadening access has been part of the Bedales ethos since its foundation by John Badley in 1893, and is therefore not a response to any shorter term political pressure. However, regarding the Charity Commission, initial indications are that all independent schools that want to retain charity status should use 5% of fee income to fund means-tested bursaries; Bedales is already close to meeting this through its existing bursary schemes. The Foundation is driven by our desire to broaden access to the school, not to fulfil any other requirements.

Who do you expect to donate to the school?

Given our unique approach to education, we have found that many of our stakeholders are prepared to support the school, and we are very grateful for the many generous donations the school has received in the past from parents, Old Bedalians and other friends of Bedales. We do appreciate the sacrifices many people make to afford a Bedales education and we would not expect anyone to make a donation who is not in a position to do so.

How will you select the children for a Bedales bursary?

Candidates will be invited for a one day assessment held in January each year. This will be a combination of interviews and tests. For 11+ and 13+ entrance tests we look for intellectual capacity and academic achievement – but only as a starting point. We have actually turned down some candidates who could offer A grades but little else. Education should concern the whole of a child’s personality. So we offer places to those who are likely to benefit most from the complete education at Bedales. This is why our tests include only three formal exercises (in English, Mathematics and Reasoning Aptitude). We want to find out as much as we can about the child’s personality. Find out more information on the entry process.

How is this bursary scheme different to those schemes already in place at other independent schools?

This question is similar to asking the broader question about the differences between Bedales and other schools. Our approach to learning involves the whole person, educating head, hand and heart. We grow enquiring minds: our teaching methods stimulate independent thinkers. Through an intricate support network of teachers and tutors, our students are encouraged to develop their own lines of academic argument. Discussion actively engages minds and spurs on inquisitive thinkers. It also means students are well prepared for life beyond Bedales.

It is more important that the student has the right attitude and personality to thrive at Bedales. We are looking for potential - that is the key factor. We also feel that broadening access ties-in with the overall philosophy of the school. A strong ethical thread runs through Bedales and the bursary scheme is all about sharing the benefits of this unique education.

I would like to find out more, who should I contact?

Please contact Rob Reynolds, Director of External Relations on 01730 711577 or email: rreynolds@bedales.org.uk. Our website features regular updates on fundraising and the John Badley Foundation. View more information on applying for a JBF bursary here.

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