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Our Impact

Our aim is for everyone to have pride in our community and to realise their own potential.

Our impact

Our impact on the local community is delivered through our Grants Programme, accommodation for older people, community events, our sponsorship of the HEART Academies Trust, and through the public benefit activities of our independent schools and Bursaries Programme.

Our long-term strategy is focused on impact, evidence and learning. We work with a number of external partners to measure our impact, for example, educational consultancy ImpactEd Group, is supporting our Accelerator Programme.

You can read about our latest impact in Our Year in Numbers.

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Our History

SIR WILLIAM HARPUR’S VISION

The Harpur Trust was founded over 450 years ago by Sir William Harpur, a local man born to humble beginnings who made his fortune as a merchant tailor and became Lord Mayor of London in 1561.

Today our activities are still inspired by Sir William Harpur’s vision. He understood the value of education, and he saw what needed to be addressed to support the people in his hometown of Bedford.

 

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Featured News

09 Apr 2025

The Harpur Trust welcomes Universal Studios, the new largest non-state employer in Bedford

04 Apr 2025

Teachers from across Bedford Borough explored what makes a quality Early Years environment

13 Mar 2025

Applications open for university bursaries to help local students afford to study a degree