Let education be your legacy

The enduring legacy of William Sevenoke, and many other benefactors over six centuries, is an exceptional education.

Sevenoaks School remains true to William Sevenoke's founding vision to provide young people from diverse backgrounds with the knowledge, skills and confidence to pursue their passions in life and make a better world.

Unlike many schools, Sevenoaks School does not have a historical endowment income. We have relied on the generosity of individuals who share our vision and have committed to help us achieve our goals. We invite and welcome the support of Old Sennockians, parents, staff and friends to continue this tradition through gifts in wills.

Over the coming decade, the Sevenoaks School Foundation aims to establish an endowment for the future to ensure students will continue to have open access to an exceptional  education, based on academic merit and irrespective of their family’s ability to pay school fees.

Many people think that a legacy must be a large sum of money. In reality, a gift of any size has an enduring impact. Together, we can transform the life opportunities of young
people through philanthropy. 

Information on leaving a gift in your will

Your bequest can be made as an unrestricted gift to be used by the Foundation Trustees to support the advancement of the school in areas of greatest need. Alternatively, you may wish to restrict your bequest to a specific area which you believe to be important, such as bursaries and scholarships.

A number of legacy options are available:

Pecuniary

This is a gift of a particular sum of money or shares, which can be index-linked in order to safeguard its future value.

Residuary

This is a gift of the whole or a percentage of the estate following the distribution of specific gifts, debts, taxes and expenses that are due.

Reversionary

This is the gift of an asset (such as a house or fund) that can be enjoyed by a chosen beneficiary during his or her lifetime before reverting to a specified person or charity absolutely.

Specific

This is a gift of an item, such as a work of art, books or historical documents that you feel may be beneficial to the school. When considering a specific bequest, it is advisable to speak to Sevenoaks School Foundation to make sure that the school will be a suitable home for the object.

Information for your solicitor and executor

Tax advantage

Sevenoaks School Foundation is a registered charity (number 307923) and in most instances is exempt from income tax and inheritance tax.

This means that the Sevenoaks School Foundation pays no tax on gifts of money or property made in your lifetime or after your death. Accordingly, your legacy to the Sevenoaks School Foundation will help to reduce any inheritance tax payable on your estate.

Contact details

If you or your solicitor would like to discuss, in confidence, any aspect of leaving a gift in your will please contact foundation@sevenoaksschool.org