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This Free Wills Month, you have the unique opportunity to safeguard your family’s future while supporting Hulme Grammar School. Throughout the month of October, North Ainley Solicitors are generously offering their expertise to write or update Wills at no cost. Instead of paying legal fees, you are invited to make a suggested donation of £100 or £150 for a simple mirror will that will directly benefit Hulme Grammar’s bursaries and student enrichment programmes.

Benefits of leaving a legacy to Hulme Grammar School

A legacy gift to Hulme Grammar can provide invaluable support for our students by funding bursaries, scholarships, improving our facilities, or helping students experience the full Hulme journey by supporting extracurricular activities like sports, music, and leadership programmes.

By leaving a legacy, you ensure that Hulme Grammar continues to thrive and that future generations of students can benefit from the exceptional education we offer. Gifts like yours help us remain adaptable to whatever challenges the future may bring, allowing us to make a meaningful difference where it is needed most.

Zahra’s story

Zahra joined Hulme in Year 7 in 2017 and left seven years later with 10 GCSEs and 3 A* A-levels in Biology, Chemistry and Business Studies. She is now an undergraduate at Manchester University studying dentistry – this is Zahra’s story.

“My parents moved to the UK from India when I was young in order to give me a better life, they worked tirelessly to open doors for me especially in terms of education. Despite not being the wealthiest of families they made sure I was able to secure the best possible education. I sat the entrance exam in January 2017 and waited for the results. I remember vividly, my dad picked me up from primary school and as soon as I got in the car he showed me the acceptance letter and it felt like all my prayers had been answered. Being accepted was one thing, but being given a bursary so that we could actually afford to come was a dream come true. I felt gratitude and so much joy – I was so incredibly lucky and blessed to be given the bursary and I knew from that moment I would do anything to excel now that I had the chance; I would grab each opportunity with both hands.

Attending Hulme Grammar has been some of the best years of my life and without attending I wouldn’t have met some of my best friends and amazing people that are in my lives now. I quickly formed such a close connection with the school and the teachers and it felt like a second home. I was able to genuinely enjoy studying and it made me want to work hard.”

Supported by North Ainley Solicitors

North Ainley Solicitors’ support during Free Wills Month makes this an ideal time to make or amend your Will. Whether you want to endow a bursary, contribute to new facilities, or enrich student life, your legacy will help shape the lives of our pupils and positively impact the wider Oldham community.

Val Stocker, Partner at North Ainley Solicitors and Chair of Governors at Hulme Grammar, expressed her enthusiasm for supporting Hulme Grammar School during Free Wills Month:

“We are delighted to partner with Hulme Grammar School in this important initiative. At North Ainley Solicitors, we believe in giving back to the community, and Free Wills Month offers a unique opportunity to do just that. By helping individuals write or update their Wills, we can ensure that their families are protected, while also supporting the school’s bursary programme and enriching the lives of future students. It’s a meaningful way for people to make a lasting impact on both their loved ones and their community.”

Ways to Leave a Legacy to Hulme Grammar

There are several types of legacies you can leave to support Hulme Grammar:

• Bursaries and Scholarships: Helping talented students access a Hulme education, regardless of financial circumstances.

• Capital Projects: Funding new buildings or improving existing facilities for future students.

• Extracurricular Support: Enriching students’ lives through activities outside the classroom, from sports and music to community service and leadership opportunities.

While the decision to leave a legacy is personal, should you choose to inform us of your intentions, we would be honoured to thank you and stay in touch in a way that suits you best. All information will be kept confidential, and while we cannot provide legal or financial advice, we recommend speaking with a solicitor to ensure your legacy is handled according to your wishes.  Read our leaving a legacy pages for more information.

Alumni giving back

Alumna Leesa Harwood (class of 1987) received a bursary when a student in the 1980s.

She has never forgotten the generosity that supported her through school and wants to do the same for others.

“Hulme was such an important part in my life and it was all made possible by a bursary.  By leaving a gift in my Will I can give something back to the school that gave me such a great start. I always felt like I was part of a big family at Hulme, and I still do.  So leaving a gift in my Will feels like a natural way to recognise everything that the school did for me and still means to me. I’m happy for Hulme to use my legacy in whatever way helps the most.  Whether that’s funding a bursary, new equipment or maintaining the buildings.  As long as it adds to the experience of the students and helps them reach their potential I’ll be happy.”

Thank you for considering leaving a legacy to Hulme Grammar School during Free Wills Month. With your support, we can continue to provide life-changing opportunities to students for generations to come.

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Free Wills apply to simple Wills for single and couple Wills with a suggested donation to the School.  For more complicated estate planning with required advice then fees will apply.  There will be a cap applied to the number of Free Wills provided in the month of October – please contact Michelle Chapman at North Ainley Solicitors for further details 0161 624 5614 or mc@northainley.co.uk.