Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School 1701 Society Booklet

Introducing The 1701 Society

Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School

Give a little back to the community that gave you your head start

Bronze Level 1701 Society members are entitled to a complimentary specially commissioned So

YOUR VALUABLE SUPPORT DELIVERS ENHANCED FACILITIES THAT WILL INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION TO SUCCEED

EQUIPMENT & RESOURCES In the initial years we are looking to raise £10,000 to refurbish the four outdoor cricket nets along with £3,000 to purchase new music software

ociety tie and will receive priority invitations to landmark events throughout the academic year.

WELCOME Welcome to our new 1701 Society. Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School was founded following a bequest by Sir Joseph Williamson in 1701, hence the name of this new group.The school is fortunate to have an active, dynamic and highly successful alumni group, the Old Williamsonians (contact via oldwilliamsonians@hotmail.com), and this new Society in no way replaces or changes that organisation or the school’s relationship with it. The purpose of the 1701 Society is to allow old boys and girls of the school, along with any others who hold an affinity to it, to recognise that affinity by supporting the school financially and making a regular donation.

The school itself was founded following a donation in 1701 and it in turn has a long history of supporting others both financially and through its work. Those joining this new Society will be continuing the legacy of Sir Joseph Williamson and contributing to the future success and opportunity of all those associated with the school.

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT US Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School enjoys superb facilities that are significantly beyond what would normally be possible through state funding alone. The original bequest from Sir Joseph Williamson is still carefully managed by the School’s Trustees which has allowed them to support a wide range of developments in recent years. They contributed to the cost of the new Da Vinci Art and Technology Block, the extension of Music facilities and additional Mathematics class rooms. Going back further, they have supported the all-weather pitch, languages laboratory and swimming pool.

The school itself has also been very successful in bidding for funding both from government and other sources to improve the facilities at the school, for example the recent refurbishment of the Science laboratories. Despite all this, we continue to have ambitious plans for the future of the school so that we can provide the young people here with the very best facilities and equipment to enhance the outstanding education they receive.

Potential future projects would include refurbishment of the pavilion, additional gym facilities, the replacement of rooms 1 to 5 and possible improvements to Sixth Form accommodation.

In the current financial climate, school funding is becoming increasingly pressurised and the possibility of funding some of these improvements from more standard means is becoming ever more remote. Therefore, the school is looking to former pupils and those who have an association with the school to ask them if they will consider making a regular donation to the school so that it can continue to deliver the exceptional opportunities and facilities our students have come to expect and that they themselves enjoyed at the school.

BRONZE LEVEL - just £5 per month

Silver Level 1701 Society members are entitled to a complimentary specially commissioned Society tie and They will also receive a copy of The Williamsonian as well as membership of The Old Williamsonian Club (i

DONATION PLANS Clearly not all those connected with the school will want to make a contribution, but for those that do we are suggesting 3 levels of donation: Gold Level - £20 per month

DONATION PLANS

Gold Level - £20 per month

Silver Level - £10 per month

Silver Level - £10 per month

Bronze Level - £5 per month

Bronze Level - £5 per month

However, donors are also free to select their own amount.

In return for their donation donors will receive membership of the 1701 Society and to indicate this they will receive a specially commissioned tie and an invitation to a range of school events and tours.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR DONATION The school’s bank account details are: Account Name: SJWMS Voluntary Fund Account Bank Sort Code: 601736 Bank Account no: 55140491 Payment Reference: 1701 Society and Your Name Cheques should be made payable to Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School (please put the payment reference on the reverse of the cheque).

Please ensure that all donations are detailed in an e-mail to: financeremittance@wtrust.co.uk Details needed are name, home address, contact telephone number, donation amount and if you are willing/eligible to agree to Gift Aid. The reference should be 1701 Society and your name (this ensures we credit the correct cost centre).

GIFT AID AND REGISTERED CHARITY STATUS We would ask you to kindly confirm your agreement to Gift Aid which will allow us to claim tax back on the contribution you have made. Please note that by electing Gift Aid you are confirming that you are a UK tax payer.

Further information about Gift Aid is available on the HMRC website www.hmrc.gov.uk/individuals/giving/gift-aid.htm Once we have raised the first £5000 the 1701 Society will be able to gain Charitable Status. Once this has been done we will notify members of the Registered Charity number and display it on the website.

SILVER LEVEL - just £10 per month

receive priority invitations to landmark events throughout the academic year. if they are former pupils of the school).

“STUDENTS THRIVE WITHIN THE SCHOOL’S DISTINCTIVE ETHOS” Ofsted

Gold Level 1701 Society members are entitled to a complimentary specially commissioned Society t of The Williamsonian and complimentary membership of The Old Williamsonian’s Club (for ex-pupi

“THE SCHOOL’S VALUES AND HIGH ASPIRATIONS ARE CLEARLY REFLECTED IN THE STUDENTS’ OUTSTANDING PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND WELL-BEING” Ofsted

SUPPORTING THE FUTURE Please contribute to ensure current and future pupils can get the same head start you did.

tie and will receive priority invitations to landmark events throughout the academic year. They will receive a copy ils of the school). They will also receive a specially commissioned set of cufflinks.

FAQS WHAT IS THE 1701 SOCIETY? The 1701 Society is a group of individuals who have an affinity with Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School and are prepared to support it with a regular financial donation.

WHY 1701?

Whilst it took several years for the school to be built and opened, it was established after a bequest from Sir Joseph Williamson in 1701.

WHO CAN JOIN? Anyone who holds the school in sufficient regard to make a regular donation in order to support the current pupils and the school’s ongoing development.

HOW LONG AM I A MEMBER FOR? Once you have gained membership, you will continue to be a member as long as the regular donation continues.

WHAT WILL I GET FROM MY MEMBERSHIP? In addition to the knowledge you are supporting the ongoing development of the school and its community, you will receive a specially commissioned tie and invitations to school events. For the gold membership, you will also receive specially commissioned cufflinks.

HOW ELSE CAN I DONATE? We would also be delighted to receive individual or occasional contributions which can be paid to the school by cheque or transfer. Any donation will assist the school, however, only the regular donation will confer membership of The 1701 Society.

CAN I LEAVE A LEGACY? It is also possible that some may wish to make a legacy bequest to the school, following the example of Sir Joseph Williamson himself. Legacy bequests to registered charities are free from Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax and recent changes mean that if you leave 10% or more of your estate to registered charity then Inheritance Tax will only be 36% of the remainder of your estate.

GOLD LEVEL - just £20 per month

Maidstone Road Rochester Kent ME1 3EL T: (01634) 844008 F: (01634) 818303 harrisonj@sjwms.co.uk www.sirjosephwilliamson.medway.sch.uk

Design and production by SEA www.sea-ltd.co.uk

Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School