Heathfield School, Ascot – rated ‘Excellent’ across all areas by the Independent Schools Inspectorate – is thrilled to receive the award of a £1.5m grant from the Julia Rausing Trust, to fund 100% transformational bursaries, for students for whom an education at Heathfield would not otherwise be possible. Heathfield is looking forward to working with local schools and the Royal National Children’s SpringBoard Foundation, to offer places to children and young people from low-income households who face challenging circumstances. The late British philanthropist, Julia Rausing, a Heathfield alumna, was a passionate supporter of young people and those in need. She attended Heathfield in the early 1980s along with her equally famous older sister, fashion editor Isabella Blow.
In 2014, together with her husband, Hans Rausing, Julia established the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust, now recognised as one of the UK’s largest philanthropic funds. The Trust spearheaded the Charity Survival Fund initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic, distributing £35 million to help charities struggling with fundraising during lockdowns, and making the largest single donation to NHS Charities Together.
The Julia Rausing Trust was established earlier this year, by her husband Hans, in her memory, awarding grants to the arts and heritage, health and welfare, and education – including the Julia Rausing Bursary Fund donated to Heathfield. The first year’s donations made through the Trust totalled £50m.
It has just been announced that, starting in 2025, the Trust will merge with its sister organisation, the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust. The new combined entity will be named the Julia Rausing Trust. Hans has chosen to honour his late wife by continuing all charitable efforts under her name, ensuring her philanthropic legacy endures.
Commenting on the grant, Sarah Rollings, Headmistress, said, ’ We are deeply appreciative of this generous donation made in memory of the remarkable Julia Rausing. The Julia Rausing Bursary will transform individual life chances and build a movement of inspirational future role models.’
Categories: Heathfield School School News
