The Berkhamstedian Foundation
The Berkhamstedian Foundation

On Founder's Day 2003, the Chairman of Governors announced the creation of The Berkhamstedian Foundation. The Foundation is an initiative of the Development Office and the Development Board. Its stated objective is "the provision of resources for major capital projects and for scholarships and bursaries" and the beneficiaries of its work will be "present and future generations of Berkhamstedians".

Three distinguished individuals with close Berkhamsted connections were chosen to be Patrons of the Foundation: The Lady Soames, LG, DBE; Sir Robin Knox Johnston, CBE, RD*; The Right Reverend Graeme Knowles, Dean of St Paul's Cathedral.

The School itself was created by a gift and each generation has recognised this generosity and continued to support the School. Some of their gifts are commemorated in the fabric of the School, such as the Thorn building, donated by Sir Jules Thorn when his grandson was here, or Centenary Hall funded by gifts from parents and old girls. Others have made anonymous gifts to provide resources enjoyed by current pupils.

HRH Duke of York & Dr Chadwick meet Sixth Form in April 2004

Fee income provides the excellent education for which the School is held in high regard. The sound stewardship of this income has also enabled considerable development activity in recent years, exemplified by the Knox-Johnston Sports Centre and Learning Resources Libraries. in order to make a Berkhamsted education more widely available and keep facilities up to date, additional income will always be needed. Some independent schools enjoy considerable income from endowments established at their foundation; Berkhamsted does not.

As the School itself was created by a gift, improvements will only continue into the future with the commitment and financial support from alumni and friends of the School.

The School has a wide range of new projects encompassing all aspects of its life and it pupils. The Berkhamstedian Foundation's approach to Old Berkhamstedians is focused in two main areas - Scholarships and Bursaries and the creation of The Annual Fund.