Eastern Counties Educational Trust Limited

Quick Stats

• Annual Expenditure: £262,937 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 6 months (bi-annual board meetings)
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire
• Application Deadlines: 30th April and 31st October

Contact Details

Address: 820 The Crescent, Colchester Business Park, Colchester, Essex CO4 9YQ

Phone: 01376 564025

Email: ecet.secretary@yahoo.co.uk

Website: https://easterncountieseducationaltrust.org/

Secretary: Mrs Verity Barclay (alternative address: Rowan House, 22 East Street, Coggeshall, Essex CO6 1SH)

Overview

The Eastern Counties Educational Trust Limited (ECET) is a long-established charitable trust founded over 100 years ago, with charity number 310038 and company number 00183411. The trust has consistently focused on supporting the education of those with special educational needs throughout its history. For the financial year ending 31 March 2024, the charity had total income of £106,209 and total expenditure of £262,937. The trust operates exclusively within the Eastern Counties region, prioritizing charities and organizations located in or delivering projects within Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Hertfordshire, and Cambridgeshire. The organization is governed by a board of trustees who bring diverse professional expertise and meet bi-annually to make funding decisions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates a single grant program with applications accepted twice annually. While specific grant amounts are not publicly disclosed, the trust's 2024 expenditure of £262,937 indicates substantial grant-making capacity. Applications are accepted on a fixed deadline basis, with submissions due by 30th April or 31st October each year.

Priority Areas

• Education, training, care and welfare of people with special educational needs
• Particular focus on individuals under 25 with emotional and behavioural difficulties
• Infrastructure improvements at special educational settings (e.g., playground redevelopment)
• Therapeutic and vocational facilities for students with learning difficulties
• Equipment and facilities that enhance student wellbeing and independence
• Projects that develop gross motor skills, confidence, and social interaction opportunities
• 1:1 learning spaces and therapeutic environments

Geographic Priority

While the trust considers applications from across the UK, strong preference is given to organizations and projects located in Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Hertfordshire, and Cambridgeshire.

What They Don't Fund

The trust's website and public materials do not explicitly list exclusions, but applications must align with the charitable objects focusing on special educational needs for those under 25 with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Governance and Leadership

The Board of Trustees comprises seven members who bring professional expertise in education, law, finance and investment, and land management. None of the trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The trust has no employees earning over £60,000 and operates without trading subsidiaries.

The board meets twice annually to review applications and make funding decisions. During these meetings, trustees discuss all appropriate applications received in that period and determine which organizations will most benefit from financial support.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted using the official application form available on the trust's website (easterncountieseducationaltrust.org). Completed forms should be sent via email to the ECET Secretary (ecet.secretary@yahoo.co.uk) along with all requested supporting documentation.

Application Deadlines: 30th April and 31st October each year.

Decision Timeline

The trust operates a multi-stage review process that spans approximately 6 months:

1. Initial Assessment: Applications are screened to verify alignment with the trust's charitable objects and relevant criteria. Applications deemed inappropriate are rejected at this stage, with applicants notified of the decision.

1. Trustee Board Review: The Board meets every 6 months (following the April and October deadlines) to discuss all appropriate applications received during that period. Further screening occurs at this stage.

1. Site Visit or Telephone Interview: Remaining applicants are contacted to arrange a visit or telephone call with one or more trustees to discuss the application in greater detail.

1. Final Decision: Trustees write a recommendation report proposing funding at a specific level or recommending rejection. Once all reports are collated and circulated to the full board, a final decision is made.

1. Notification: All applicants are informed of the outcome, whether successful or declined.

Post-Award Requirements

Successful applicants must:

• Confirm and commit to using the funding only as per their application
• Provide a brief report to the Board at a later date
• Include an update illustrating how the funding has been used
• Demonstrate what benefits and changes have been achieved by the organization/charity

Success Rates

The trust does not publicly disclose application success rates, the number of applications received, or the number of awards made annually.

Reapplication Policy

The trust's reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly stated. Interested organizations should contact the trust directly for guidance on reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Based on the trust's testimonials and stated priorities, successful applications demonstrate:

Clear Alignment with Special Educational Needs: Applications must directly support individuals with special educational needs, particularly those under 25 with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The trust has funded projects at schools specifically serving students with learning difficulties, such as Southfield Primary School and Castledon School.

Tangible, Practical Projects: Successful applications focus on specific, concrete interventions rather than general operating costs. Examples include playground redevelopment at Southfield Primary School and installation of a summerhouse at Castledon School for vocational courses and therapeutic services.

Measurable Impact on Student Development: Applications should clearly articulate how the project will improve student outcomes. Successful projects have demonstrated improvements in children's confidence, gross motor skills, wellbeing, and independence.

Geographic Relevance: While UK-wide applications are considered, preference is given to organizations in the Eastern Counties region (Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire).

Multiple Benefits: The trust values projects that serve several purposes. For example, Castledon School's summerhouse was designed to deliver vocational courses, provide therapeutic services, and create 1:1 learning spaces.

Readiness for Site Visit or Interview: Successful applicants must be prepared to host a trustee visit or participate in a detailed telephone discussion about their project. This personal contact stage is critical in the decision-making process.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Apply to the correct deadline: Ensure your application is submitted by 30th April or 31st October, as the board only meets twice annually
• Focus on special educational needs: Your project must directly support individuals with special educational needs, particularly those under 25 with emotional and behavioural difficulties
• Be specific and practical: Describe concrete projects with clear deliverables rather than general support requests
• Prepare for trustee engagement: Anticipate a site visit or telephone interview if your application passes initial screening—be ready to discuss your project in detail
• Emphasize student outcomes: Clearly articulate how your project will develop student wellbeing, independence, skills, and confidence
• Geographic preference matters: Highlight if your organization or project is based in Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Hertfordshire, or Cambridgeshire
• Plan for reporting: Be prepared to provide a follow-up report demonstrating how funding was used and what benefits were achieved

References

• Eastern Counties Educational Trust. (2024). Official Website. https://easterncountieseducationaltrust.org/
• Eastern Counties Educational Trust. (2024). Application Process. https://easterncountieseducationaltrust.org/application/
• Eastern Counties Educational Trust. (2024). Who We Are. https://easterncountieseducationaltrust.org/who-we-are/
• Eastern Counties Educational Trust. (2024). Testimonials. https://easterncountieseducationaltrust.org/testimonials/
• Charity Commission for England and Wales. (2024). Eastern Counties Educational Trust Limited - Charity Number 310038. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=310038&subid=0
• Companies House. (2024). Eastern Counties Educational Trust Limited - Company Number 00183411. https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00183411