​Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools raise more than £201,000 for school bursary fund

Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools have raised a remarkable £201,902 for the schools’ bursary scheme, which aims to provide funding support to young people within the local community who would naturally thrive at Habs but may be denied the opportunity due to financial barriers.

The mammoth 36-hour fundraising event saw the entire school community, including alumni and alumnae, students, parents, staff, extended family and friends come together to ensure that the schools are able to continue transforming the lives of talented young people for years to come.

The schools collectively received 610 donations during the event, which involved three colourful fun runs on 7th March. The main lunchtime GivingDash inspired 589 students and staff, many of them wearing silly hats, to run 3.5km to unlock £15,000 in challenge funding pledged by donors. This followed a morning MiniDash and TinyDash which saw 300 parents join more than 600 of the schools’ youngest children in running 700 metres to show their support for the day. In total, 1,529 members of the Habs community raced around the campus over the course of the day.

For Habs, one of the schools’ four core values is ‘community’. That includes helping and looking after each other on campus, as well as within the wider community beyond Elstree. The schools believe that although an outstanding education is a privilege, it should also be inclusive.

Gus Lock, Headmaster at Habs Boys, commented: “We are astounded by the kindness and generosity of our community and would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated and donated. Whilst some might imagine that hardship and deprivation do not exist in selective independent schools, the need, closer to home within our own community, is just as real. In fact, close to one in ten students at Habs are here thanks to bursary support.”

As financial pressures increase, particularly in the current economic climate, even maintaining the level of bursary support both schools currently offer will become more challenging. These philanthropic gifts from members of the Habs community are vital if the schools are to support students whose families need their help.

Rose Hardy, Headmistress at Habs Girls, added: “At Habs we’ve always sought to educate exceptional, well-rounded children in an inspiring learning environment. We also believe that high-achieving students with a wide range of talents and aspirations, who would naturally thrive at our schools, should be given the opportunity to do so, regardless of financial circumstances. We know there are many local families who don’t consider Habs because they think they can’t afford it. We are trying to get the word out locally that if you’re a well-rounded student with a curious mind and a love of learning, Habs might be the place for you, and your family might be eligible for financial support.”