The Farmington Trust Limited

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Application deadline late January; awards announced for following academic year
• Grant Range: Covers replacement teacher salary (up to main pay scale point 6) plus research costs for up to 30 days
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom (with regional partnerships for South-West England)

Contact Details

The Farmington Institute

Harris Manchester College

Mansfield Road

Oxford OX1 3TD

Phone: 01865 271985 / 01865 271967

Email: institute@farmington.ac.uk / farmingtontrust@hmc.ox.ac.uk

Website: www.farmington.ac.uk

Overview

The Farmington Trust Limited (Charity Number 237934) was founded after World War II by the late Hon. Robert 'Bobby' Wills, a member of the West Country tobacco family W.D. & H.O. Wills. The idea came to him while serving with the Grenadier Guards during WWII; despite being severely wounded, he survived and established the institute to “make the world a better place” through supporting Christian education. Based at Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford, the Farmington Institute operates with an endowment fund and reported investment gains of £1,150,677 for the financial year ending 31 July 2024. Under the directorship of Sir Ralph Waller KBE (former Principal of Harris Manchester College and Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University), the Trust supports approximately 30 primary and secondary teachers annually with scholarships for professional development in Religious Education and values education. The institute is ecumenical in its Christian commitment and actively interested in developing good relationships with other world religions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Farmington Scholarships (University-Based and School/Home-Based)

• Covers replacement teacher salary up to main pay scale point 6
• Covers tuition fees and essential local travel
• Covers research costs
• Provides supervisor support
• Maximum 30 days release time
• Can be taken as day release within university terms (university-based) or with local supervisor (school/home-based)
• Applications open annually with deadline typically late January for following academic year

St Luke's/Farmington Scholarships

• Joint partnership with St Luke's College Foundation
• Specifically for teachers in South-West England
• Tutorials at University of Exeter or with locally appointed Farmington supervisor
• Same coverage as standard Farmington Scholarships

Temple Grove Farmington Scholarships

• Joint partnership with Temple Grove Schools Trust
• For school-based research in primary education
• Covers replacement teacher for up to 30 days
• Covers research costs and supervisor fees

School Projects

• COVID disadvantaged schools initiative (supported 40 schools for guaranteed five years)
• Primary school library projects (starting late 2025)

Priority Areas

• Teachers of Religious Education in UK secondary schools
• Primary school RE coordinators and teachers involved in teaching RE
• Teachers of children with Special Educational Needs involved with RE
• Headteachers undertaking research into values education and standards
• Teachers working in associated subjects (philosophy, moral and ethical education)
• Armed Forces chaplains researching moral and ethical leadership
• Clergy, Ministers of Religion, and academics involved in RE

What They Don't Fund

The Trust specifically focuses on professional development for educators in RE and values education. It does not appear to fund:

• General school operational costs
• Student scholarships or bursaries
• Building or capital projects (except specific school library initiative)
• Educational programs outside RE and values education focus
• Organizations outside the UK education sector

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Governance and Leadership

Director: Sir Ralph Waller KBE - Former Principal of Harris Manchester College, Oxford (1988-2018) and Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford (2010-2018)

Trustees: Include Dr Tim Hands (who evaluated their COVID schools support scheme)

Key Information: No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The Trust does not have any trading subsidiaries and operates transparently with regular Charity Commission filings.

The institute maintains strong partnerships with 19 universities throughout England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland for university-based scholarships.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• Application forms available on the Farmington Institute website (farmington.ac.uk)
• Separate applications for Farmington Scholarships and St Luke's/Farmington Scholarships
• Applicants should have held their present post for at least two years
• Research proposals should focus on RE, values education, or associated subjects

Decision Timeline

• Applications open annually (typically autumn)
• Application deadline: Late January (e.g., 28th January 2024 for 2024-2025 awards)
• Awards announced for following academic year
• Scholarships taken during university terms or arranged as day release
• Annual summer conference held at Harris Manchester College in Oxford in June where Fellows present research results

Success Rates

Approximately 30 teachers are supported annually. Specific application numbers and success rates are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication restrictions mentioned in available information. The requirement that applicants should have held their present post for at least two years suggests ongoing professional commitment is valued.

Application Success Factors

What Makes a Strong Application

• Experience Requirement: Must have held current teaching post for at least two years, demonstrating commitment and contextual knowledge
• Research Focus: Clear research question addressing practical challenges in RE or values education
• School Support: Implicit need for school endorsement and cooperation given replacement teacher coverage
• Practical Impact: Research should contribute to improving RE teaching or values education in schools

Example Projects

• Identifying and analyzing unconscious biases in primary-level pupils through philosophical enquiry
• Supporting development of questioning skills to help students unpick unconscious biases
• Various projects contributing to database of over 600 scholar reports available for classroom use

Institute Philosophy

The Farmington Institute describes their core offering as providing “the gift of time and space” - recognizing that teachers need dedicated time away from classroom pressures to conduct meaningful research and professional development.

Standing Out

• Demonstrate how research will address genuine challenges in RE or values education
• Show awareness of existing Farmington scholar reports (searchable database of 600+ reports available on website)
• Articulate clear plan for research that can be completed within 30-day timeframe
• Consider geographic location relative to partner universities for university-based scholarships
• For South-West England teachers, consider St Luke's/Farmington partnership option

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Two-Year Minimum: Ensure you've been in your current post for at least two years before applying - this is a stated eligibility requirement
• Comprehensive Coverage: The scholarship removes financial barriers by covering both replacement teacher costs and research expenses - emphasize your research value, not financial need
• 30-Day Framework: Design your research project to be achievable within 30 days of release time, whether as block or day release
• Practical Focus: The institute values research that will improve classroom practice and contribute to broader RE teaching community through their scholar report database
• Ecumenical and Interfaith: While Christian-founded, the institute welcomes work that develops understanding across world religions
• Application Timing: Apply in autumn/early winter (deadline typically late January) for following academic year - plan well ahead
• Partnership Opportunities: If in South-West England or teaching in primary education, explore specialized partnership scholarships with St Luke's or Temple Grove

References

1. The Farmington Institute official website - https://farmington.ac.uk/

1. UK Charity Commission Register - The Farmington Trust Limited, Charity Number 237934 - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=237934

1. Farmington Institute - Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farmington_Institute

1. Religious Education Council - The Farmington Institute Member Profile - https://religiouseducationcouncil.org.uk/member/the-farmington-institute/

1. Diocese of Exeter - “Farmington Scholarships for headteachers and teachers of Religious Education and associated subjects” leaflet 2024-25 - https://exeter.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Leaflet-2024-25.pdf

1. Enfield Council Traded Services - “Farmington Scholarships 2024/2025” - https://traded.enfield.gov.uk/news/2023/nov/farmington-scholarships-2024-2025

1. St Luke's College Foundation - "St Luke's/Farmington Scholarship" - https://stlukescf.org.uk/2023/01/st-lukes-farmington-scholarship/

1. Temple Grove Trust - “Farmington Institute” - https://www.templegrove.org.uk/farmington-institute

1. Liverpool Hope University - “Sir Ralph Waller Receives Honorary Doctorate” - https://www.hope.ac.uk/news/allnews/sir-ralph-waller-receives-honorary-doctorate.html

1. Religious Education Network - “Farmington Scholarships 2024-25” - https://renetwork.co.uk/2023/12/01/farmington-scholarships-2024-25/