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Leave a Legacy
Leaving a legacy is a truly wonderful way of making a real difference to future generations of students attending Watford Grammar School for Girls.
Since its inception by its founder, Elizabeth Fuller, in 1704, the school has pioneered equality. Free education for girls and boys was unusual for its time and provided opportunity to those that may otherwise not have received it. Elizabeth Fullerâs dedication and service to education is a testament to her vision for the children of the future.
Over the centuries the school has evolved to meet the challenges and demands of new eras, but the fabric remains constant: encouraging excellence, service to the community and a love of learning. Whilst a free education is something we now take for granted, it remains the case that our students come from a variety of backgrounds, and that opportunity at home is not always equal.
"Despite considerable efforts and sacrifices by women to create equality for themselves and those that follow the sad fact is that female inequality still exists, even between the two Grammar Schools. For example, Watford Boys receive 62% more funds from legacy gifts than Watford Girls each year, a situation I believe continues to exacerbate the inequality between the schools. This is a consequence of the fact that men are more likely than women to leave a legacy to their old school and it is time we addressed this difference."
－ Sylvia Tai, Headmistress
Legacy gifts are simple and a tax effective way of giving to the school. They are also free of Capital Gains Tax, Income Tax and reduce the overall Inheritance Tax on your estate.
Leaving a gift in your will would ensure that Watford Grammar School for Girls can continue to provide the young women of tomorrow with resources, equal opportunities to learn and the ability to fulfil their potential in the world.
Miss Esme Clark was a much loved and respected English Teacher at Watford Grammar School for Girls from 1938-1965. In 2005 the Women of Vision Trust received Esme’s legacy gift; a bequest of one quarter of her residuary estate. The gift was to be used to assist students with hardship grants “to finance Scholarships or Exhibitions for University places and an annual prize for English” and ultimately her wish was to help as many students as possible reap the benefits of any expenditure. The English prize and scholarship were first awarded in 2006 and the school continues to commemorate Esme each year with the Esme Clark English Prize to this day.
In 2020 the opportunity presented itself to create a reading room as part of the library refurbishment. Funds from Esme’s gift were directed to this project and her legacy now continues to benefit students with the appropriately named Esme Clark Reading Room.
Esme’s generosity and love of her subject will benefit future students for generations to come.
The Women of Vision Trust administers all legacy gifts for Watford Grammar School for Girls. Including this information in your will alongside the registered charity number 1069040 helps your executors know who to contact.
The Women of Vision Trust and Watford Grammar School for Girls cannot offer legal or financial advice nor can we recommend solicitors. Your will is an important document and we strongly suggest that you seek professional advice.
The simplest way to update an existing will is through a codicil document for which we also recommend you seek professional advice.
You may find the following wording useful when discussing with your solicitor your gift to Watford Grammar School for Girls:
I give to the Women of Vision Trust (charity number 1069040) the sum of (insert amount in words) pounds (£ insert amount in figures), or (insert percentage in words) percent (insert percentage in figures %), for (insert purpose); and I direct that the receipt of the Trust’s Administrator or other proper officer of the Trust shall be a sufficient discharge to the executors for this gift.