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Support for Charities

A strong ethical thread runs through the school. A huge variety of fundraising events – many of which are organised by the students – take place throughout the year. They are often great fun and very effective in raising both money and awareness. The annual Valentine's Ball (to support Amnesty International) and car-washing on Parents' Day (for the Swaziland primary school) are just two examples.

To remember the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, staff and students from Bedales held a candlelight vigil and formed the shape of the number 25 - it was a ceremony repeated across Europe to mark the eve of the tragedy. Every year Bedales Head of Chemistry, Micahel Newman, helps the Chernobyl Children's visit initiative in Petersfield, when local families take in primary school age children from Belarus for a period of time and give them hope, better health and love. Michael organises a three day visit to Bedales for these children and is very passionate about helping the victims, a passion that is shared throughout the Bedales community. View a time-lapsed video of the vigil below.

Cecily's Fund

Cecily Eastwood was 19 years old when she embarked on her gap year between Bedales and university, to spend a year teaching in Zambia. Cecily died, only months later, in a Zambian road accident. Her parents set up Cecily’s Fund in her memory which continues to support the education of orphaned and vulnerable children in the Kitwe area of Zambia.

Swaziland Project

We have a strong link with Mbalenhle Primary School in Swaziland. Each year a group of our students travels to Swaziland. The visit gives them new perspectives; in return, their labour and the money they have raised help the local community improve school facilities. This may include painting walls, or helping to build a new teaching block, toilets and showers. More on Bedales Swaziland Project.

Fairtrade - Bedales B-Fair Committee

The Bedales B-fair Committee is a small society that aims to raise awareness about fair-trade organisations and, in doing so, support fair-trade businesses, raising money for charity in the process. We do this by publicising major fair-trade initiatives such as Fair-trade Fortnight, and hold stalls selling a variety of fair-trade products throughout the year.

To promote this year’s Fair-trade Fortnight, the committee ran a stall selling drinking chocolate, cookies and Divine chocolate, along with a selection of People Tree dresses, t-shirts and shorts. All yearly profits go to selected charities. For 2011, all profits went to the Pakistan flood appeal to help re-home thousands of displaced people.

The last few years have seen a 40% rise in the sales of fair-trade goods and now about three out of four people recognise the Fairtrade mark, but we hope that soon both these figures will be at 100%, to which end the B-fair committee will make every effort. B-fair also sells fairtrade merchandise at Parent's Day such as: fair-trade hoodies made by People Tree, delicious fair-trade ice cream and Coffee Fairy merchandise from Nicaragua.

Dunhurst Fairtrade School Hoodies

The pupil-led Fair Enough Committee have designed and produced their own school hoodies. These tops are made in India by Assisi Garments and produced through the ethical trading company People Tree. The sweatshirts are made from soft organic cotton obtained through sustainable farming methods. Hoodies cost £25 (S-M) and £28 (L).

For fee payers wishing to add the cost of a hoodie to the school bill, contact Janet Cole or for further information on how to order a hoodie, contact Louise Banks.

Bedales Fairtrade People Tree T-Shirts

Fairtrade and organic fashion label PeopleTree has produced the School's very own range of fairtrade t-shirts. Money from the sale of each t-shirt will go towards the John Badley Foundation, an initiative to fund 100% bursary students at Bedales. To view pictures and purchase the t-shirts click here. For more information on the John Badley Foundation click here.

Social Enterprise

Every year Bedales partners with Frensham Heights School to hold a 'Celebrate the Difference' conference, focusing on the importance of the concept of social enterprise in today's society.

Petersfield Youth Theatre

Bedales are delighted to support Petersfield Youth Theatre (PYT) in providing such life-enhancing educational opportunities for young people. PYT is a registered charity working to advance education in music and theatrical arts amongst children and young people aged 5 - 25. The company is run mainly by volunteers, who employ theatre and education practitioners to direct productions, workshops and projects. Bedales' long-standing reputation, first class facilities for the performing arts and hosting of PYT over recent years, mean we are natural partners with this tremendous organisation.

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