PURPOSE

We believe that education is the single most powerful tool to break the cycle of poverty and reduce inequality in the world. We invest in the education of the underprivileged and the underrepresented in order to create systemic change.

Our goal is to develop a new generation of engaged global citizens and leaders; who embrace research, make data-driven decisions and believe that there is a moral imperative to act with integrity.

PROGRAMMES

We currently support 4 programmes:

1. Laidlaw Undergraduate Research and Leadership Scholarship – an international programme supporting undergraduates in 12 top universities around the world, designed to develop a new generation of leaders who are skilled researchers, embrace data-based decision making, and believe it is a moral imperative to lead with integrity.
2. Women’s Business Education Laidlaw Scholarship – to date, we have helped over 300 women earn their MBA from Columbia Business School and are just beginning a Women’s Movement programme with both London Business School and Oxford’s Saïd, providing full and half scholarships to women who would not otherwise be in a position to reap the benefits of attending this outstanding school. By investing in extraordinary women to gain their MBAs, the Foundation intends to give women the education and networks to achieve equal representation and power.
3. Laidlaw Schools Trust – a growing multi-academy trust founded to transform the lives of children and communities in the North of England, through inspirational education. Across LST we educate 5500+ students and employ 850+ teachers and support staff. There are more than 50 languages spoken in our schools. As well as having a disproportionately high number of pupils for whom English is an additional language, we have more than double the national average of children receiving free school meals and who have special learning needs. Our communities are some of the most disadvantaged in the country. It is why we exist – our purpose is to transform the lives of our children and communities through inspirational education.
4. Buildings at schools and universities designed to help students excel – the Foundation has funded the Laidlaw Music Centre at the University of St. Andrews, built the Laidlaw Library at Leeds University and is exploring a new campus space there which will bring together academics and entrepreneurs. At Sedgefield Community College, the Foundation is building a state-of-the-art new Teaching and Leadership Centre.