Foundation

Whatever special memories you have – as a former pupil, parent or friend of the School, you will know how unique Aysgarth School is.

Why not join the Clement Hales* Society by remembering Aysgarth in your Will? Your gift will help children with parents of more limited means have access to an Aysgarth education, giving them the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Alternatively, why not help enhance and preserve the distinctive opportunities Aysgarth can provide by helping with its development?

* Rev. Clement Hales, Founder of the School in 1877.

A legacy is a lasting gift and each contribution will go towards a bursary or towards the development of the School – you can even specify which of these you would prefer. Of course, if you have no preference, the Trustees of the Foundation will be able to apply it to where it is most needed at the time.

“Aysgarth provides unprecedented educational opportunities. Without receiving a bursary, our son would never have been able to come to Aysgarth; with it, a whole world has opened up. He is happy, fulfilled and thriving with new purpose, new friends and a deep sense of well-being. We are immensely grateful for this opportunity.” Parent.

When you pledge a gift in your Will to Aysgarth, you will automatically be given lifetime membership of the Clement Hales Society*. A regular function will be held at different locations in the UK to thank members for their support. The Headmaster will be present and would be delighted to hear any thoughts and to discuss future developments with you.  

The Founder’s vision

Clement Thomas Hales was a remarkable man whose vision for Aysgarth  lives on in the School that he founded.  From the start his ambition was that the School should provide the best opportunities. His commitment to excellence resulted in it being said of the new School that he built “…very few schools can compete with Aysgarth in its completeness”.

As he will be remembered, so will you. We keep a record of our kind and generous Society members as well as including members’ names in the annual report.

However, anonymity will be respected if requested.

As well as helping a worthwhile cause, there are other reasons why it may be beneficial to include a donation in your Will:

Once your estate rises above a certain threshold, Inheritance Tax may become payable (on anything above the threshold). You can reduce the overall Inheritance Tax burden on your estate and not give as much to HM Revenue & Customs by including a donation to the School.

Making a Will is important. It is never too early or too late to make a Will. It enables you to choose how your estate will be allocated and gives you the peace of mind that your affairs are in order. Of course you will first want to ensure that your family and friends are taken care of. However, we do hope you will also remember Aysgarth School – we appreciate legacies of any size and any type.

Even if you have already drawn up a Will, donations to Aysgarth and other worthwhile causes can be made by way of a simple codicil to the Will. This can be easily facilitated by a solicitor.  It is also possible to donate via the Charities Aid Foundation, who will ensure the money reaches the required destination(s). This is a flexible service as it allows the beneficiaries to be changed without changing your Will. Donations can be made simply and in a number of ways:

• A gift which allows your spouse to enjoy the benefit of your assets during his/her lifetime with the assets passing to the School on your spouses’ death. This is known as a Reversionary Legacy.

• A gift to the School of personal property. This is known as a Specific Legacy.
• A gift to the School of a fixed sum of money. This is known as a  Pecuniary Legacy.
• A gift to the School of a percentage of your net estate after payment of other legacies/taxes/expenses. This is known as a Residuary Legacy.

If you make a gift to Aysgarth during your lifetime it may qualify for Gift Aid assuming you have sufficient UK taxed income. Not only does this increase the value of the gift in the hands of the School but if you are a higher rate tax payer it reduces your own tax bill. As a bonus the capital you have given to the School will be outside your Estate and therefore not be subject to Inheritance Tax.

If you have decided to make a pledge to Aysgarth, please download and fill in the pledge form.

DownloAd pledge form