Southover Manor General Educational Trust Limited

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £100,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (receive more applications than they can support)
• Decision Time: 2-4 months (applications submitted by March 31/September 30, considered in May/November)
• Grant Range: £5,000 - £40,000 (examples from case studies)
• Geographic Focus: East Sussex, West Sussex, and Brighton & Hove

Contact Details

Correspondence Address:

The Smithy, The Street, Sutton, West Sussex, RH20 1PS

Registered Address:

2 St Andrews Place, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1UP

Email: info@southovermanortrust.org.uk

Application Email: appn@southovermanortrust.org.uk

Website: https://southovermanortrust.org.uk

Charity Number: 299593

Company Number: 2256900

Pre-Application Support: The Trust welcomes contact from potential applicants who wish to discuss the feasibility of an application with the Secretary.

Overview

Southover Manor General Educational Trust Limited was established in 1988 following the closure of Southover Manor School (founded 1924) in Lewes, East Sussex. The Trust was created from proceeds of the sale of the school buildings and site, transforming the legacy of this independent boarding school for girls into ongoing educational support for the local community. With total assets generating approximately £100,000 in annual income (2024/25 financial year: income £128,510, expenditure £120,416), the Trust has distributed approximately £6 million in grants to date. The Trust focuses exclusively on advancing the education of young people under 25 years across East Sussex, West Sussex, and Brighton & Hove. Governed by 12 volunteer trustees who meet bi-annually, the Trust carefully considers each application to maximize impact across the Sussex educational community.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates a single grant program with bi-annual application deadlines (31 March and 30 September), with decisions made at trustees' meetings in May and November.

Grant Amounts: Typically range from £5,000 to £40,000 based on case studies, though no official minimum or maximum is published. For larger projects, the Trust may commit to awards at successive meetings.

Priority Areas

The Trust provides grants for educational organizations for:

• Building developments: Science facilities, arts spaces, special needs adaptations
• Learning resources: Science, technology and IT equipment, books and library resources
• PE and sports equipment
• Outdoor learning and playground equipment
• Life skills facilities for young people with complex disabilities
• Pre-school premises and facilities

Special Priority Given To:

• Projects in areas of deprivation or educational disadvantage
• Projects that widen educational access and opportunity and enhance achievement
• Projects with specific, desired outcomes not normally covered by regular budgets
• Applications from organizations demonstrating significant financial commitment from their own budgets or supporters

Eligible Organizations:

• State and independent schools
• Colleges
• Nurseries and pre-schools
• Play groups
• Youth clubs
• Any organization contributing to education of under-25s in the region
• Parent-teacher associations (with headteacher endorsement)

What They Don't Fund

• Recurring operational costs
• Replacement of standard budget items
• Salaries
• Transport
• Educational visits or conferences
• Student tuition fees
• Completed projects (projects must be future-focused)
• Projects whose sole purpose is to promote a particular religion or faith

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by 12 volunteer trustees who receive no remuneration. The board meets twice yearly to carefully research and consider every application.

Chair: Ian James Jungius (appointed November 2015)

Trustees:

• Jean Hughes (appointed November 2024)
• Elizabeth Wakeley (appointed November 2024)
• Diana Cornish (appointed May 2023)
• Anthony Francis Smith (appointed May 2023)
• Octavia Charlotte Davies-Gilbert (appointed May 2021)
• Sophie Catherine Hepworth (appointed November 2016)
• Susan Anne Winn (appointed May 2016)
• Caroline Brand (appointed May 2016, also trustee of Cumnor House School Trust)
• Marcus Jonathan Charles Hanbury (appointed November 2014)
• John Michael Farmer
• Clare Mary Duffield

The Trust emphasizes that trustees “meet bi-annually and carefully research and consider every application made before deciding which should be their priority.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method: Online eligibility questionnaire followed by downloadable application form

Application Steps:

1. Complete the four eligibility questions in sequence on the Trust website
2. If eligible, download the application form
3. Submit completed form by email to appn@southovermanortrust.org.uk
4. Also submit by post to: The Secretary, The Smithy, The Street, Sutton, West Sussex, RH20 1PS
5. Include supporting documents (quotations, plans, photographs) relevant to the application

Application Deadlines:

• 31 March - for consideration at May trustees' meeting
• 30 September - for consideration at November trustees' meeting

Pre-Application Enquiries: The Trust welcomes contact from potential applicants wishing to discuss feasibility with the Secretary before applying.

Decision Timeline

Timeline: 2-4 months from deadline to decision

• March 31 deadline → May decision
• September 30 deadline → November decision

Site Visits: Upon receipt of applications, trustees may wish to visit the school or organization to gain greater understanding of the educational project.

Notification: Applicants are notified of decisions following the trustees' meetings.

Success Rates

The Trust states they “usually receive more applications than we can support,” but does not publish specific success rate statistics. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not automatically lead to the award of a grant.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is published on the Trust's website or public documents. Applicants may wish to contact the Trust directly to discuss reapplication after an unsuccessful bid.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's published guidance and case study examples, successful applications typically demonstrate:

Priority Characteristics:

• Educational disadvantage focus: The Trust gives “especially sympathetic consideration” to projects in areas of deprivation or educational disadvantage
• Financial commitment: Applications are “particularly welcome” from organizations that can “allocate significant resources from their own budgets or from the budgets of their supporters”
• Multi-beneficiary impact: Projects that support the education of “multiple children or young adults”
• Partnership funding: The Trust values projects that can partner with other funding providers
• Specific outcomes: Projects must identify "a specific and desired outcome that would not normally be covered by the applicant's regular income or budget"

Case Study Examples of Funded Projects:

• Dallington C E Primary School: £5,000 for outdoor learning facility (centenary celebration project)
• Downlands Community School: £14,000 for IT Hub renovation
• Western Road Community Primary School: £5,000 for playground development
• Easebourne C E Primary School: £8,000 for library refurbishment
• Chailey Heritage Foundation: £40,000 over two years for Life Skills Centre for young adults with complex disabilities
• Ashurst Wood Community Pre-School: £10,000 for new premises within Primary School grounds

One-Time Capital Focus: The Trust explicitly seeks projects with “identifiable one-time costs (books, equipment, buildings)” rather than ongoing operational expenses.

Sussex-Only: All projects must directly benefit young people in East Sussex, West Sussex, and Brighton & Hove—this geographic restriction is strictly enforced.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Time your application strategically: With only two deadlines per year (31 March and 30 September), missing a deadline means a six-month wait for the next consideration cycle
• Emphasize educational disadvantage: If your project serves areas of deprivation or widens educational access, make this prominent—the Trust explicitly prioritizes such applications
• Demonstrate co-funding: Show significant financial commitment from your own budget or supporters—the Trust values organizations that invest their own resources alongside grant funding
• Focus on capital, not operational costs: The Trust funds one-time capital investments (equipment, buildings, resources), not salaries, transport, or recurring operational expenses
• Be Sussex-specific: Your project must directly benefit young people under 25 in East Sussex, West Sussex, or Brighton & Hove—boundary clarity is essential
• Prepare for site visits: Trustees may visit to understand your project better, so be ready to showcase your organization and articulate the project's educational impact
• Contact them pre-application: The Trust welcomes pre-application contact with the Secretary to discuss feasibility—take advantage of this to strengthen your application
• Multi-year funding is possible: For larger projects, the Trust may commit to awards at successive meetings, so don't be deterred by ambitious project costs

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Bassil Shippam and Alsford Trust
• The Prince Philip Trust Fund
• FOWLER SMITH AND JONES TRUST
• The Albert Dawson Educational Trust
• The Angus Lawson Memorial Trust
• THE G C GIBSON CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Jephcott Charitable Trust
• The William Price Charitable Trust
• THE FARTHING TRUST
• John Horniman's Children's Trust

References

1. Southover Manor Trust Official Website - Home Page, https://southovermanortrust.org.uk/, accessed 27 January 2026
2. Southover Manor Trust - About Us, https://southovermanortrust.org.uk/about-us/, accessed 27 January 2026
3. Southover Manor Trust - Eligibility, https://southovermanortrust.org.uk/eligibility/, accessed 27 January 2026
4. Southover Manor Trust - Apply, https://southovermanortrust.org.uk/apply/, accessed 27 January 2026
5. Southover Manor Trust - Case Studies, https://southovermanortrust.org.uk/case-studies/, accessed 27 January 2026
6. Southover Manor Trust - Contact, https://southovermanortrust.org.uk/contact/, accessed 27 January 2026
7. Charity Commission for England and Wales - Charity Overview (299593), https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=299593, accessed 27 January 2026
8. Charity Commission for England and Wales - Trustees (299593), https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/sector-data/top-10-charities/-/charity-details/299593/trustees, accessed 27 January 2026
9. Companies House - Filing History for Southover Manor General Educational Trust Limited (02256900), https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02256900/filing-history, accessed 27 January 2026
10. East Sussex Community Information Service (ESCIS) - Southover Manor General Educational Trust Ltd, https://www.escis.org.uk/benefits-legal-and-housing/southover-manor-general-educational-trust-ltd-countywide/, accessed 27 January 2026