Alastair Barnett joined Bilton Grange in 1952 and he quickly fell under the spell of his enchanted surroundings. For more than sixty years he treasured his relationship with his prep school and was a welcome guest at many OB Days as an active and loyal Biltonian.

Alastair’s fond memories of Bilton Grange continued to live beyond his death in 2020. In his Will, Alastair left his estate to the friends, relatives, and institutions that he held dear, and these included Bilton Grange. Alastair’s gift, worth an astonishing £530,500, is named the Sir Geoffrey and Lady Isobel Barnett Scholarship Fund to honour his parents and now forms a major part of the Earle Fund at Bilton Grange. Launched in 2021, the Earle Fund extends the work of the Arnold Foundation to provide boarding bursaries for pupils in Years 7 and 8 at Bilton Grange.

The School continues to enchant new generations of Biltonians and we are delighted that three pupils are already benefitting from Alastair’s generosity.

Your legacy gift can also make an impact on young people’s lives at Bilton Grange and at Rugby School. Together, our schools have more than 600 years’ experience of managing legacy gifts responsibly and effectively to ensure that children with potential to shine can share the opportunities of an outstanding education.

If you are inspired by Alastair’s story and want to include a gift in your Will to Rugby School or Bilton Grange, please contact Kate Chernyshov in the Rugbeian Community Team kec@rugbyschool.net. You do not have to tell us the size or nature of your gift and we promise not to share any information about your gift unless you instruct us to do so, but we do like to thank you personally while we can.

Find out more about how legacy gifts can change lives here