Transforming
Your lasting legacy
Welcome
Thank you for your interest in the future of Wycombe Abbey. A gift in your will is one of the most meaningful and enduring gifts you can make and is an indication of your affection for the School. We are not supported by a large endowment, consequently our ambitious plans can only be achieved with the financial support of our community of Seniors, parents and friends. Whatever their size, legacy gifts support the aspirations of future generations of girls. We are truly grateful to all those who plan to remember the School in this special way and we hope that you will consider joining the Dove-Bowerman Society.
Jo Duncan, Headmistress
Why we need
your support
Learning and Living Facilities Creating world class facilities throughout the School site supports our girls to pursue academic excellence and enables our staff to provide outstanding teaching so that every girl can flourish and fulfil her potential. We have developed a phased, long-term Estates Masterplan that includes state-of-the-art teaching, learning and living spaces, in line with the best schools in the world. This will be underpinned by a comprehensive sustainability and accessibility plan. Today, Wycombe Abbey is recognised as the leading girls’ boarding school in the UK. High quality, fit-for-purpose facilities that benefit our current and future pupils is an important element in enabling us to remain in this position.
Bursary Provision It is our belief that every girl should be empowered to make the most of her abilities. We wish to ensure a Wycombe Abbey education is available to more girls who would benefit from an education here, no matter her family’s financial circumstances. The Bursary Fund enables us to offer talented young women a place at the School. We would like to increase bursarial support significantly, so that it is available for 12.5% of our pupil roll (around 80 girls annually). We are seeking philanthropic support to increase the number of transformational bursaries which cover 80%+ of fees. Ensuring that our Bursary pupils thrive at the School remains a priority and we will apply careful consideration to the selection of bursary pupils based on ability, potential and financial need, alongside an enhanced pastoral care programme to support them during their time with us.
“As a bursary recipient, I am inherently aware of the crucial difference which bursaries can make. Without additional financial support, I would not have been able to attend this school and subsequently would not have had access to the incredible opportunities presented to me in all fields. Enabling an expansion of the bursary programme means a greater range of deserving pupils can have their own individual impact on the school and that Wycombe will benefit from a greater range of perspectives and experiences – something that, in my opinion, a truly exceptional education relies upon.” Alyssa, UVI
Dove-Bowerman Society
In recognition of two remarkable women, connected with Wycombe Abbey, the School established the Dove-Bowerman Society to acknowledge and thank all those who pledge to leave a legacy gift to the School. We are delighted to host members of the society, and their families, at an annual luncheon in recognition of their special contribution towards the School’s future. Thank you for helping Wycombe Abbey to continue to nurture the next generation of pioneering women.
Dame Jane Frances Dove DBE, JP
Wycombe Abbey was founded in 1896 by Miss, later Dame, Frances Dove. She was a trailblazer who promoted equal opportunities for girls in the Victorian Age. Since the first cohort of 40 girls joined the School in 1896, many inspiring women have graced the halls of Wycombe Abbey, building a strong community of sisterhood on the foundations of excellence, innovation and mutual respect.
Elsie Bowerman joined in 1901 as the youngest girl in the School. Eleven years later, she found herself out at sea rowing lifeboat number six away from the sinking wreck of RMS Titanic. She was a remarkable person, a great supporter of the suffragette movement and the first woman barrister to appear at the Old Bailey. In 1971, she established the Dove-Bowerman Trust and, when she died a year later, left the majority of her estate to the Trust, which continues to support the education of young women at the School.
Elsie Bowerman
“I’d like to encourage Seniors to join the Dove-Bowerman Society. The Society provides support to the School in all manner of areas. In recognition of the fact that I was a grammar school girl who, in 1963, was very fortunate to be given a bursary by the Middlesex County Council, the last offered before that excellent scheme was closed. Attending Wycombe has been of such unquantifiable benefit, I’d like to think my gift might go towards helping another pupil whose parents need financial support, a meanstested bursary, in order that their daughter might also reap the same, lifelong benefits of an education at Wycombe Abbey.” Trish Walker, C118
Types of L egacy We understand that your family and friends come first. Once you have supported your loved ones, you can make a lasting impact on the next generation of young women by placing a gift in your will to Wycombe Abbey. Many donors give an ‘unrestricted gift’, which allows the School to use the funds where they are appropriate for maximum benefit. Wycombe Abbey would allocate the funds in line with our strategic priorities to the best benefit of the pupils we support. Alternatively, if you have a particular passion and would prefer to direct your legacy to an area of personal choice, we will fully respect and honour your wishes.
Inheritance Tax Benefits A charitable legacy gift in the UK is currently exempt from Inheritance Tax and has the potential to reduce the tax burden on your family. This is a complex area where expert tax and/or legal advice may be necessary. A solicitor will be able to advise you on any specific tax benefits relative to your gift and personal circumstances.
There are several types of bequest:
Pecuniary Legacy A monetary gift of a set sum.
Residuary Legacy A gift of a percentage or all of your estate after other expenses have been paid.
Specific Legacy A gift of a specific asset such as property, works of art and shares.
Reversionary Legacy A gift that allows you to leave assets to Wycombe Abbey whilst giving a named person the benefit of them during his or her lifetime.
Example Wording
Our promises to you
If you would like to leave a legacy to Wycombe Abbey, we recommend you make or change your will with the help of a solicitor or legal professional. They will ensure that your wishes are clearly expressed and legally valid, and will be able to provide confidential and up-to-date advice tailored to your needs.
By leaving a gift in your will to Wycombe Abbey, you are helping the next generation of exceptional young women succeed in their futures. Our promises demonstrate our lasting commitment to you, your family and loved ones.
To help you start your gift, we’ve provided some suggested wording to use for the two main types of legacy gifts. Pecuniary gift (a set sum): “I leave the sum of (in words) _______ pounds £ ____ (in figures) to Wycombe Abbey at Girls’ Education Company Limited, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP11 1PE, registered charity number 310638.” Residuary gift (a percentage of your estate): “I leave ____ percent of the residue of my real and personal estate to Wycombe Abbey at Girls’ Education Company Limited, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP11 1PE, registered charity number 310638.”
• We are committed to being at the forefront of girls’ boarding education and recognised globally as a world class school. Your gift will help Wycombe Abbey to continue to flourish, building on its long and illustrious history. • We would love to hear about your gift and invite you to our Dove-Bowerman Society. Whilst you do not need to inform us of your gift, for those who do we will do our best to keep you updated about the School. • We know that circumstances change. You have the right to change your mind at any time. • We will handle your gift with care, respect and sensitivity.
Wycombe Abbey, Frances Dove Way, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP11 1PE development@wycombeabbey.com +44 (0)1494 896301
wycombeabbey.com
Registered Charity No. 310638