YOUR LEGACY, THEIR FUTURE
A TRADITION OF GIVING, A FUTURE OF OPPORTUNITY
A SCHOOL BUILT ON GENEROSITY, A FUTURE SHAPED
BY YOU
In 1725, Sir William Perkins’s School (SWPS) was founded with a powerful and compassionate vision: to provide free education to poor boys. A vision that, by 1736, was extended to include girls. It was an act of extraordinary generosity, a statement of belief in the power of education to transform lives, regardless of circumstance. That same spirit continues to guide us today.
Our school now stands as a vibrant, forwardlooking community. Much has changed, yet the heart of our mission remains: to offer an exceptional education, nurture potential in all its forms, and ensure that every child has the chance to flourish, no matter their background.
At SWPS, we are proud to be a school built on generosity - of time, of spirit, and of resources. Ours is a community where students support one another, where staff go above and beyond, and where alumni return not only with fond memories, but with a deep desire to give back. That sense of shared responsibility is, I believe, our school’s greatest strength.
Our founding benefactor believed education should never be a privilege reserved for the few. That belief still guides us. Legacy gifts honour his vision, and ensure that 300 years from now, SWPS will still stand as a beacon of opportunity, ambition, and kindness.
Thank you for considering being part of that legacy.
“What you leave behind is not what is engraved on stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”
- Pericles
Legacy gifts are a powerful way to continue this story. By choosing to remember SWPS in your Will, you help us to open our doors to bright young minds through bursary support, as well as enabling us to invest in the spaces, facilities, and equipment that will inspire the next generation.
Debbie Picton - Head
WHY LEAVE A LEGACY?
A legacy gift to SWPS is more than a donation. It’s a tribute to the past, a gift to the future, and a reflection of the difference one person can make.
Legacy gifts are among the most meaningful contributions you can make. They offer a unique opportunity to leave a lasting mark - one that reflects your values and helps shape the future for generations to come.
We understand that many people may not be in a position to support the school during their lifetime. Others may have already given generously and wish to continue that support with a final gesture of thanks. Whatever your circumstances, a gift in your Will can make a powerful difference. Legacy gifts allow us to:
• Offer bursaries to talented students, regardless of their financial background
• Preserve and enhance our school buildings and green spaces
• Invest in modern facilities and innovative learning resources
• Champion outstanding teaching and academic excellence
By leaving a legacy, you join a tradition that began with our founder and continues through every student who walks through our doors. Your generosity ensures that the values and opportunities you experienced at SWPS will continue to benefit future generations.
“SWPS has helped me find confidence in who I am and what I can do.”
- YEAR 13 STUDENT
“The sense of community and care here is something truly special.”
- PARENT OF A YEAR 8 STUDENT
06 YOUR LEGACY, THEIR FUTURE
THE 1725 SOCIETY
Those who notify us of their intention to leave a gift are invited to join the 1725 Society - a group of generous individuals committed to the school’s long-term future.
As a member, you will:
Receive invitations to special events Be acknowledged (with your permission) in school publications Be part of a lasting tradition of philanthropy
Even if you choose to remain anonymous, we are deeply grateful for your support.
“We felt proud to leave a legacy for a school that has meant so much to our family.”
- A 1725 Society member
YOUR LEGACY, THEIR FUTURE
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08 YOUR LEGACY, THEIR FUTURE
A Substitutional legacy
An alternate beneficiary transfer
HOW TO LEAVE A LEGACY TO SIR WILLIAM PERKINS’S SCHOOL
There are various ways in which to leave a legacy:
Pecuniary legacy
A fixed sum of money
A pecuniary legacy is a gift of a fixed sum of money to Sir William Perkin’s School. When making this type of gift it is possible to index link your gift to ensure the intended value is secure.
Residuary legacy
A share of your Estate after other responsibilities have been met
A residuary legacy is a gift of the entire estate or a percentage of the estate, after all other gifts have been distributed and all debts and expenses have been paid. The benefit of residuary legacy is that the proportionate value of the gift remains in proportion to your estate, immune from the effects of inflation. You might consider leaving SWPS a residuary legacy of a percentage of your estate.
Specific legacy
A gift of property, shares or valuable items
A specific legacy relates to the gift of a specific asset to SWPS, for example, books, paintings, jewellery, property or stocks and shares rather than gifting money.
Reversionary legacy
A life interest
This method enables you to provide for your family or others first, then SWPS. Under your
Will you can leave your estate in trust so that named beneficiaries (family members, for example) would be entitled to the income arising on your estate during their lifetime, with the whole, or a share, of the capital passing to the school following their deaths. The trust could also give your Trustees power to advance capital to the school during their lifetimes if necessary.
This means that you can leave a specific sum, object or share of your estate to a particular person or persons, but if they pre-decease you, the bequest would pass to the school.
A Deed of Variation
If you become a beneficiary of someone else’s will, you may wish to consider transferring the whole, or part, of that inheritance to SWPS using a Deed of Variation. The bequest would be exempt from the Inheritance Tax which might otherwise have been payable out of the estate in respect of the value transferred. A Deed of Variation must be executed within two years of the date of death of the person under whose will you are a beneficiary.
Pension arrangements
If you have a life assurance policy provided by your employer’s pension scheme, or you are currently withdrawing income from a personal pension fund, you can nominate the school as a beneficiary.
The tax benefits of leaving a legacy to SWPS
Leaving a gift in your Will is easier than you might think. SWPS is a registered charity, so for UK taxpayers, leaving a legacy bequest to the school may have tax benefits for your estate
by reducing the amount liable to Inheritance Tax. If you leave a gift to the school in your Will, its value will be deducted from your estate (your money, possessions and property) before Inheritance Tax is calculated.
Inheritance Tax is reduced from 40% to 36% for individuals who leave at least a tenth of their net estate to charities such as the school.
Inheritance Tax explained
When someone dies, the total value of their estate (their property, money and possessions) is added up. Currently, the first £325,000 of their estate does not incur any tax. Above this threshold, tax is payable to HMRC at a rate of 40% on the remainder of the estate. Where people are married, or in a civil partnership the allowance is compounded to £650,000. There can be further allowance where part of the estate is property bequeathed.
Under the current rules, if 10% or more of your estate is left to charity, the overall rate of inheritance tax may be reduced from 40% to 36%. You can also choose how your gift is usedwhether to support bursaries, facilities, or where it’s most needed.
When you are making a bequest, please note the beneficiary as Sir William Perkins’s School, Guildford Road, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 9BN. Charity number: 312025.
NEXT STEPS
A legacy is an excellent way to provide for the people who are important to you, to help causes you support and to honour the influences that have shaped your life.
A legacy to SWPS will ensure that the school continues to move forward into the future with confidence.
It is relatively straightforward to make a legacy pledge to SWPS. It can be done in consultation with your solicitor, either when making a Will for the first time or by adding a codicil to an existing Will.
If you have already made a Will naming SWPS as a beneficiary but have not told us about it, please let us know by completing our legacy pledge form.
A legacy pledge is not legally binding. However, it serves as a positive indication to SWPS of your intention to support us. It also greatly assists our future planning if you’re willing to provide an estimate of the value of your intended gift. If you would like to discuss any aspect of legacies for SWPS, please contact the SWPS alumni office at alumni@swps.org.uk or call 01932 574947.
12 YOUR LEGACY, THEIR FUTURE
STRATEGIC VISION 2024
SEEKING ADVICE ABOUT YOUR LEGACY
OUR VISION
Whilst we endeavour to ensure all information is correct, we recommend you consult your financial advisor or solicitor, to ensure your wishes are carried out as you intend. You may also refer to the Inland Revenue website at hmrc.gov.uk for the latest information on tax efficient giving.
thrives.
A leading independent co-educational day school: a community where every individual
Our vision expresses our combined sense of purpose, aspiring to be an environment which promotes the success of every individual whilst recognising that individuals must work together to create a strong, purposeful community and a sense of belonging.
“A wonderful example of the benefits of a focus on the individual, Sir William Perkins’s School consistently turns out capable, confident young adults.”
Talk Education
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
- ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Sir William Perkins’s School
Charity number: 312025