The Gordon Foundation was originally founded by Royal Charter at the express wish of Queen Victoria as the National Memorial to Major-General Charles George Gordon, C B, who was killed in Khartoum in 1885. Since its foundation, Gordon's School has been privileged to have the reigning monarch as its Patron.

But what is it exactly that The Gordon Foundation does? Essentially, the state provides the teaching resources while The Gordon Foundation, through charges, provides the boarding and extended day activities, which offer excellent value for money.

The Gordon Foundation is proud to offer continued support and commitment to fulfilling the original aims for which the School was set up, with children of all abilities and backgrounds being catered for, including the most disadvantaged.

The resources of the Gordon Foundation are very limited and the income from its investments is used to provide bursaries for children who are in need, which otherwise may not have been possible where a sudden unexpected change in family circumstances has occurred. These bursaries also ensure that continuity is maintained within family units either as a day or weekly boarder, keeping General Gordon's philanthropic values alive. Bursary support is not dependent on scholastic merit but is means tested; bursaries are reviewed annually and awarded according to need and vary in size according to individual circumstances.