About us
Heather McKissack, in whose memory this Charity was formed, was for many years, a visionary teacher at King’s College School Wimbledon. Heather was passionate about the benefits of sustainable, cross sector partnerships in education and their ability to enable those involved to fulfil their potential irrespective of background. Heather made these partnerships a reality and left an impressive track record.
All of us, at HMCK Charity, knew Heather and we believe in the principles of mutual benefit, sustainability and the capacity of schools to learn from each other through cross sector partnerships . We aim to find, fund and support successful partnerships in education.
About Partnerships
We believe each of the projects below will inspire those taking part and build on the Wimbledon Partnership model which Heather McKissack helped establish. This partnership now offers:
- An Aspirations and Outreach Programme (click for more info) including mentoring training for Sixth Formers facilitators
- Provision of teachers in specialist subjects not taught in state schools such as classics and modern languages
- Joint GCSE and A-level revision classes for state and private school pupils
- Help for state school students applying to top universities and medical schools
- Shared subject workshops and masterclasses with opportunities for pupils to teach and assist
- Shared drama, music and sport resources and facilities for joint extracurricular activities
- Shared management training for staff and classroom practice for teachers in the process of qualifying
Governance and Trustees
It is with great sadness that we record the premature passing of Bill Richards one of our founding Trustees.
He generously shared his legal expertise and was very much the foundation stone of our charity. His wise counsel was valued enormously by us all and will be sorely missed.
As a fellow Trustee commented; 'When I think of Bill I think of a kind and generous man with a sharp sense of humour and a cheeky grin, whose knowledge and opinion was highly valued by us all.'
Our Trustees bring a range of skills and experience. They are supported by our panel of educationalists who have extensive experience in education. Our educationalists evaluate the funding applications we receive and support successful applicants. They offer invaluable insight into the practical issues schools face when building cross sector partnerships
Ian was Heather's husband. He is a retired HR and change management professional specialising in the field of international construction engineering and project management. He supported the joint staff development strategy aspects of Heather’s partnerships work. He feels privileged to be working with such an esteemed and experienced team of trustees and educational professionals in shaping how best the charity can make a difference.
Ian was Heather's husband. He is a retired HR and change management professional specialising in the field of international construction engineering and project management. He supported the joint staff development strategy aspects of Heather’s partnerships work. He feels privileged to be working with such an esteemed and experienced team of trustees and educational professionals in shaping how best the charity can make a difference.
Margaret was the first in her family to enter Higher Education, reading Physics at Southampton
University. After completing her PGCE, she taught and held senior management positions in state
and independent schools. At King's she saw first-hand how valuable Independent-State School
Partnerships (ISSPs) can be for all involved. She was recently awarded her PhD, which investigates
how Independent-State School Partnerships are enacted, and the benefits and challenges they
present.
Margaret was the first in her family to enter Higher Education, reading Physics at Southampton
University. After completing her PGCE, she taught and held senior management positions in state
and independent schools. At King's she saw first-hand how valuable Independent-State School
Partnerships (ISSPs) can be for all involved. She was recently awarded her PhD, which investigates
how Independent-State School Partnerships are enacted, and the benefits and challenges they
present.
Bill spent most of his career as a solicitor in London. He was a non-executive director of an insurance company and is a consultant to a large firm of brokers based in the City of London. He has been an adviser to several recruitment businesses operating in the legal sector and a Trustee of two charities, one in sports and the other in the education sector.
Bill was educated at Christ’s Hospital, with which he has retained a longstanding connection. He has
served on several of its committees, been Deputy Chairman of its Council and is currently Chairman
of its Heritage Committee.
It was during her time as a parent at King’s College Wimbledon that Sarah first encountered Heather’s outstanding work, of which the benefits to all involved were so clear. She hopes to continue Heather’s work by supporting the charity and raising awareness of the mutual benefits of cross-sector partnerships. Her career to date has been spent in marketing and branding, communications, client care, fundraising and operations.
It was during her time as a parent at King’s College Wimbledon that Sarah first encountered Heather’s outstanding work, of which the benefits to all involved were so clear. She hopes to continue Heather’s work by supporting the charity and raising awareness of the mutual benefits of cross-sector partnerships. Her career to date has been spent in marketing and branding, communications, client care, fundraising and operations.
Harry taught languages and ran the community projects programme at King’s College School,
Wimbledon for many years. As the school’s first Director of Partnerships and Outreach, he worked
closely with Heather to develop the Wimbledon Independent-State Schools Partnership, creating the
successful aspirations project and annual community production. Harry has served as a governor of
Ricards Lodge High School in Wimbledon and has a strong interest in encouraging the two sectors to
work together and learn from each other.
Harry taught languages and ran the community projects programme at King’s College School,
Wimbledon for many years. As the school’s first Director of Partnerships and Outreach, he worked
closely with Heather to develop the Wimbledon Independent-State Schools Partnership, creating the
successful aspirations project and annual community production. Harry has served as a governor of
Ricards Lodge High School in Wimbledon and has a strong interest in encouraging the two sectors to
work together and learn from each other.
Sarah attended Fulham County Grammar school and worked in the private and charitable sectors.
She returned to education to complete a BA Hons in English and Theatre studies, a PGCE in
Drama and an MA in Drama in Education. She held senior management roles at Ricards Lodge High School and oversaw the school's
participation in the partnership programme set up by Heather. Having retired from Ricards Sarah
continues to teach, sits as a Magistrate and volunteers with Citizens Advice Bureau. Sarah is a strong believer in the power of education and the arts to transform lives.
Sarah attended Fulham County Grammar school and worked in the private and charitable sectors.
She returned to education to complete a BA Hons in English and Theatre studies, a PGCE in
Drama and an MA in Drama in Education. She held senior management roles at Ricards Lodge High School and oversaw the school's
participation in the partnership programme set up by Heather. Having retired from Ricards Sarah
continues to teach, sits as a Magistrate and volunteers with Citizens Advice Bureau. Sarah is a strong believer in the power of education and the arts to transform lives.