The Royal Pinner School Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £389,049 (most recent year reported)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (policy states eligible applicants should not be refused for budgetary reasons)
• Decision Time: Rolling basis - applications considered as soon as possible after submission
• Grant Range: £600 - £900+ per term/year (varies by education level and individual circumstances)
• Geographic Focus: National (UK) with some overseas support in practice
• Age Range: Children aged 4-25

Contact Details

• Website: www.royalpinner.org.uk
• Email: admin@royalpinner.co.uk
• Phone: 01256 578 054 (also listed: 0203 5764 794)
• Address: The Royal Pinner Educational Trust, PO Box 7031, Basingstoke, RG24 4NU
• Registered Office: 22 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1LS
• Charity Number: 1128414
• Company Number: 06805043

Overview

The Royal Pinner School Foundation, operating as the Royal Pinner Educational Trust (RPET), was incorporated on 29 January 2009, continuing a legacy dating back to 1845 when the Commercial Travellers' Schools were founded by John Robert Cuffley. Over 122 years, the original schools provided boarding education to over 5,000 orphaned children of commercial travellers before closing in 1967. The Foundation was established to continue supporting the education of children of commercial travellers where need can be demonstrated. With £389,049 in grants committed in the most recent year and investment assets exceeding £3.6 million, RPET provides tailored educational support to children aged 4-25 whose families face adversity. The Foundation receives significant support from The Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust, including a £200,000 annual grant extended through 2024. The Board comprises many former beneficiaries who bring personal understanding to their governance role.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Educational Allowances (Term-time support):

• Primary school: £600 per annum
• Secondary school: £750 per annum
• Sixth form: £900 per annum
• University/College: £600 per term (baseline during 2023-2024)
• Higher amounts may be agreed based on individual circumstances after review

Covered Educational Costs:

• School fees (in exceptional cases)
• Special educational needs support
• Learning support tuition
• IT equipment and laptops
• Performing arts tuition and equipment
• Sports tuition and equipment
• Sports programs for resilience-building during adversity
• Creative activities during difficult times
• Educational costs at state, private day or boarding schools, colleges, or universities

Application Method: Rolling basis via online Grant Enquiry Form or Lightning Reach Portal. Grants Committee meets regularly throughout the year.

Priority Areas

Eligible Beneficiaries:

Children (aged 4-25) whose parent is or was a commercial traveller, specifically:

• Travelling sales representatives (B2B sales, NOT direct to public/B2C)
• Manufacturers' agents
• Account managers
• Technical representatives
• Must demonstrate “significant element of travel” in work

Qualifying Hardship Circumstances:

• Bereavement/death of a parent
• Long-term illness (mental or physical) of a parent
• Redundancy or significant drop in earnings
• Domestic abuse
• Special educational needs and disabilities requiring additional support

Geographical Scope: UK residents primarily, with some overseas support in practice

Mission Focus: “Providing educational support for children of sales representatives during times of adversity” with emphasis on continuity of education during temporary or permanent family hardship.

What They Don't Fund

• Children of sales representatives selling direct to consumers (B2C) - must be business-to-business (B2B) sales
• Pre-school and nursery (except in exceptional circumstances)
• Families without demonstrated adversity or hardship
• Non-educational expenses

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Governance and Leadership

Chairman: Gillian Brookes (formerly Deputy Chairman)

Board Composition: The Board of Trustees includes many members who are previous beneficiaries themselves, providing personal insight into the challenges faced by applicants and the Trust's mission.

Chairman's Statement: Gillian Brookes emphasizes the importance of educational continuity: “There can be nothing more important than enabling the continuity of education of those children of families who temporarily or, sadly, permanently turn to us for help.” She adds, “It is my fervent wish that we continue the good work of the Trust supporting and helping our beneficiaries in dealing with their hardships.”

Policy Commitment: The Trustees have confirmed a board policy that “support for eligible applicants should not be withheld for purely budgetary reasons,” demonstrating strong commitment to helping all qualifying families.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Two Primary Pathways:

• Register at: https://www.lightningreach.org/application-portal?referral=royalpinner
• Complete your applicant profile

• Available on www.royalpinner.org.uk
• Initial screening for eligibility
• If criteria are met in full, applicants will be asked to complete a full application form with supporting documentation

Required Information:

• Applicant name, email, and telephone number
• Children's names and dates of birth
• Current and proposed school/educational institution details
• Employment history: employer names, employment dates, products/services sold, types of clients served, extent of travel/road time
• Description of assistance needed
• Details of other support currently received from other sources
• How you heard about the Trust

Collaboration: The Trust often works with other Educational Trusts to tailor support packages to individual circumstances.

Decision Timeline

• Frequency: Grants Committee meets regularly throughout the year
• Processing: Each application is “carefully considered as soon as possible” after submission
• Basis: Rolling applications accepted year-round
• Specific Timeframes: Not publicly disclosed - applicants should contact the Trust for guidance on expected decision times

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Trust's board policy explicitly states that eligible applicants should not be refused support for purely budgetary reasons, suggesting a high approval rate for those who meet eligibility criteria.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not specified on the website. Contact the Trust directly via the Contact Us form or by phone to inquire about reapplication procedures for previously unsuccessful or previous beneficiaries.

Application Success Factors

Key Eligibility Clarifications

Commercial Traveller Definition: This is the most critical eligibility factor. The parent must have:

• Sold to trade or business (B2B), NOT direct to the public (B2C)
• Had a significant element of travel in their work
• Worked as a sales representative, manufacturer's agent, account manager, technical representative, or similar traveling sales role

Demonstrated Adversity

Applications must clearly show family hardship. Strong applications will:

• Provide specific details about the nature of the adversity (bereavement, illness, redundancy, etc.)
• Explain the financial or educational impact on the child
• Describe how the grant would enable educational continuity
• Include supporting documentation that evidences the circumstances

Tailored Support Philosophy

The Trust emphasizes that it “tailors grants to reflect” individual circumstances. Successful applications should:

• Be specific about educational needs and costs
• Explain why standard educational provision is insufficient
• Detail how the requested support addresses the specific challenges created by family adversity
• Consider requesting support beyond standard allowance amounts where individual circumstances warrant it

Board's Personal Connection

Many trustees are former beneficiaries who understand the challenges firsthand. Applications that:

• Demonstrate genuine need
• Show commitment to education despite difficulties
• Explain how support would make a meaningful difference
• Are honest about circumstances

...are likely to resonate with decision-makers who have been in similar situations.

Language and Terminology

Use the Trust's own language in applications:

• “Educational continuity”
• “Temporary or permanent hardship”
• “Adversity”
• “Commercial traveller” or “travelling sales representative”
• Emphasis on enabling children to “achieve their individual potential”

Partnership Approach

The Trust collaborates with other educational trusts. If you are receiving or have applied for support from other charities, be transparent - this may actually strengthen your application by demonstrating comprehensive need assessment.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Niche eligibility is paramount: This funder has very specific beneficiary requirements (children of B2B travelling sales representatives experiencing adversity). Do not apply if parent worked in direct-to-consumer sales.

• Adversity must be genuine and documented: The Trust exists specifically to help families through difficult times. Clearly articulate the hardship, its impact on the child's education, and how support would enable continuity.

• Policy favors eligible applicants: The board has confirmed that eligible applicants should not be refused for budgetary reasons. If you meet the criteria, you have a strong chance of approval.

• Applications are reviewed quickly on a rolling basis: Don't wait for specific deadlines - apply as soon as need arises. The Committee meets regularly and aims to respond promptly.

• Individual circumstances matter: Standard grant amounts are guidelines. The Trust reviews individual circumstances and may award higher amounts. Make a strong case for your specific needs.

• Use Lightning Reach if possible: The Trust specifically recommends this as the “quickest way to apply,” suggesting this pathway may expedite processing.

• The Board understands your situation: Many trustees are former beneficiaries. Authentic, honest applications that demonstrate genuine need will resonate with decision-makers who have personal experience with similar challenges.

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: The Royal Pinner School Foundation, Charity Number 1128414. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1128414&subid=0 (Accessed: January 2025)

• Royal Pinner Educational Trust Official Website: www.royalpinner.org.uk, including pages:
• Mission Statement: https://royalpinner.org.uk/mission-statement/ (Accessed: January 2025)
• How We Can Help: https://royalpinner.org.uk/how-we-can-help/ (Accessed: January 2025)
• How to Apply: https://royalpinner.org.uk/how-to-apply/ (Accessed: January 2025)

• Companies House: The Royal Pinner School Foundation, Company Number 06805043. Available at: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/06805043 (Accessed: January 2025)

• Educational Grants Directory: The Royal Pinner Educational Trust. Available at: https://educational-grants.org/find-charity/The-Royal-Pinner-Educational-Trust/ (Accessed: January 2025)

• Turn2us Grants Search: The Royal Pinner Educational Trust. Available at: https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/grant/the-royal-pinner-educational-trust-16277 (Accessed: January 2025)

• Lightning Reach Application Portal: https://www.lightningreach.org/application-portal?referral=royalpinner (Accessed: January 2025)

• Chairman quote from Mission Statement page: Gillian Brookes, Chairman, Royal Pinner Educational Trust (Accessed: January 2025)