The Haberdashers' Company roots in education go back almost to its inception. Here we explain how the connection with our schools is intrinsically linked with the wishes of the founding members of the Company, centuries ago. 

History: Why we exist

The Haberdashers' Company is one of the Great Twelve Livery Companies, descended from a medieval craft and trade association. The Company has a long history, dating back from Medieval times, that is closely connected to the development of the City of London. Throughout six and a half centuries it has moved away from its historical involvement in the trade of haberdashery and developed into a significant supporter of education in its broadest sense. The Company is able to support such initiatives thanks to its original charitable endowments left by four benefactors, Robert Aske, Thomas Aldersey, William Jones and Willam Adams, and still carefully stewarded by the Company - as Trustee - centuries later. 

Ethos: Who we are and what we stand for

The Company is a welcoming and inclusive organisation with a strong social purpose. We are proud of our roots, traditions and values that go back centuries, but equally, we are a modern organisation committed to a vibrant and diverse future embedded in the communities we help to support. 

The Company’s purpose is to empower young people from every background to fulfil their potential. 

We believe in education, and we invest in people. Our members give their time and expertise to inspire, listen and lead. These individuals work with our schools, charities and churches, acting as a critical friend through their governance and skills sharing. 

What we do 

Education

The Haberdashers’ family of schools is made up of nineteen schools, structured in four devolved groups – Haberdashers' Academy Trust South, Haberdashers' West Midlands Academy Trust, Haberdashers' Elstree Schools and Haberdashers' Monmouth Schools. 

We are proud to include schools of all types and sizes within our family of schools – from a brand new state academy, like Haberdashers’ Borough Academy opened in 2019, to a centuries old independent boarding school, like Haberdashers’ Monmouth founded in 1614. 

The relationship with Haberdashers supports the schools in three ways: through endowment funding, through the provision of governors and trustees from the Company membership and through the Haberdashers' Advantage programme. 

The concept of Haberdashers’ Advantage identifies the added benefit that is felt by pupils at our schools. Our philosophy is that there is more to quality education than academic performance, whilst recognising that such outcomes are a critical component. 

We give tangible support to our schools as they strive to provide our students with character, values and the ability to develop life and workplace skills; helping to shape the best possible outcome for their futures. 

Charity

Every year the grant-making foundations of the Haberdashers’ Company are proud to distribute around £1 million in grants. Our portfolio of Haberdashers’ schools’ grants enables talented students to fulfil their potential. Our poverty relief programme includes support for children under five, young people who experience disadvantage, young people who experience homelessness and young people who experience the custody system. We also have a small programme of support for young people starting out in the fashion and textile sector. 

Our holistic approach to giving means that our efforts are concentrated in the communities in which our schools and churches are based. We work alongside fantastic, small charities who affect positive and lasting change in the communities in which they are embedded. The Company looks to our charity partners to guide us on where we can help them make the most impact through funding, but also through membership volunteer support. Through supporting philanthropic organisations, local to the communities in which our students live, we aim to underpin their experiences both inside and outside the school gates.

The Haberdashers’ School experience

What does attending a Haberdashers’ School involve?

Our strength as a schools' network comes through our diversity, which spans across the state-maintained and independent sectors. No matter which of our nineteen schools a child might attend a shared experience exists for all. 

All of our students benefit from a ‘Haberdashers education’, encouraging them to grow as individuals and ultimately to find their own unique place in the world. 

What does working together look like today?

We strive to create authentic connections and interactions between our schools in a way that is meaningful and creates value for all. 

All our schools are connected back to the Company, and through the Company, to one another. This partnership allows us to flourish. Each year we hold multiple opportunities for both our students and the staff to come together and learn from one another. This takes many forms from cross-school sports and music festivals, to Y6 and Y12 leadership days, to staff specialist-subject interest groups, and to development training and workshops. All of this gives us the chance to come together in person, and later, to take that shared knowledge back to our schools, creating a shared understanding and approach for the benefit of all.