Thornton-smith And Plevins Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £558,000 (2024)
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified (case-by-case basis)
• Beneficiary Age: 16-19 (Sixth Form students)
• Support Duration: Up to 2 years

Contact Details

Website: www.thornton-smith-plevins.org.uk

Grants Secretary: Mrs Sue Davis

• Phone: 01582 611675
• Email: info@thornton-smith-plevins.org.uk

Overview

The Thornton-Smith and Plevins Trust was registered as a charity in July 2010 (Charity Number 1137196) and represents three educational trusts. The Trust makes educational grants to young people, generally aged 16-19, who find themselves in distressed circumstances. With an annual expenditure of £558,000 (2024) and income of £447,000, the Trust focuses specifically on supporting Sixth Form students to remain at their existing UK independent or state boarding schools when families face unexpected financial crises. The Trust is governed by six trustees and operates throughout England and Wales. The organization aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals including No Poverty, Quality Education, and Reduced Inequalities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Sixth Form Bursary Support

• Supports students in Years 11, 12, and 13 (GCSE and A-level/equivalent years)
• Funding available for up to 2 years
• Covers partial school fees at independent or state boarding schools
• Specific grant amounts determined on case-by-case basis
• Families expected to make some contribution to fees
• Schools expected to provide significant fee discounts alongside Trust support

Priority Areas

Academic Excellence

• Students ordinarily demonstrate high academic achievement or potential
• Occasionally assists based on special educational needs
• Students expected to contribute positively to school community

Crisis-Triggered Financial Need

The Trust specifically supports families whose financial planning has been disrupted by:

• Bereavement
• Illness
• Desertion
• Divorce
• Loss of earnings

What They Don't Fund

• Families who have not previously demonstrated capacity to fund school fees
• Non-UK taxpaying families
• Students outside the 16-19 age range
• New school placements (only supports students remaining at existing schools)
• Students outside of Sixth Form years

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by six trustees, with a gender composition of 66.7% male and 33.3% female. Key trustees include:

• Martin Robin Gray (Chair) - Appointed 2013
• Charles William Smyth-Osborne - Appointed 2016
• Charles Sydney Fowle - Appointed 2017
• Flora Lyon - Appointed 2020

The Trust operates with six volunteers and no paid employees. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Trust operates a formal application process that requires school involvement:

1. Initial Discussion: Parents/guardians should first discuss their financial situation with their child's school
2. School Support: Obtain the school's support for bursary funding
3. Application Form: Contact Mrs Sue Davis, Grants Secretary, to request an application form by phone (01582 611675) or email (info@thornton-smith-plevins.org.uk)
4. Financial Assessment: Submit detailed financial assessment showing assets and income
5. Evidence: Provide evidence to substantiate financial circumstances

Required Documentation:

• Detailed financial assessment
• Evidence of income and assets
• Demonstration of previous capacity to pay fees
• Evidence of unexpected family crisis
• School's recommendation and commitment to fee discount

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented. Prospective applicants should contact the Grants Secretary for information about application deadlines and decision schedules.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented.

Application Success Factors

School Partnership is Essential

The Trust expects schools to play an active role by providing significant fee discounts. Applications without strong school support are unlikely to succeed.

Demonstrated Previous Capacity

The Trust specifically states: “It is expected that parents/guardians, who will be UK tax payers, will have had the necessary financial resources to fund their share of school fees when their children started secondary school.”

Unexpected Crisis, Not Long-term Hardship

The Trust focuses on families whose “plans will have been thrown into disarray by an unexpected family crisis” - not families with long-term financial difficulties.

Willingness to Contribute

Families must “make some contribution towards the school fees.” The Trust does not cover 100% of costs.

Academic or Pastoral Need

While high academic achievement is the primary criterion (“ordinarily, students will demonstrate high academic achievement or potential”), the Trust occasionally assists based on “special educational or pastoral needs.”

UK Tax Status Required

Parents/guardians must be UK taxpayers to be eligible.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a family-facing trust, not an institutional grant-maker: Applications come from families, not organizations or schools directly, though school support is essential
• School partnership is mandatory: Ensure the school is willing to provide significant fee discounts before applying
• Timing matters: Apply when the crisis is recent and the change in circumstances can be clearly documented
• Be transparent about finances: The Trust requires detailed financial assessments with evidence - prepare comprehensive documentation
• Focus on the crisis event: Clearly articulate what unexpected event disrupted previously viable financial plans
• Demonstrate contribution capacity: Show that the family can still contribute something toward fees, even if reduced
• Emphasize student merit: Highlight either strong academic achievement/potential or special educational/pastoral needs
• Geographic scope: The Trust operates throughout England and Wales

References

• Thornton-Smith and Plevins Trust official website: www.thornton-smith-plevins.org.uk
• UK Charity Commission Register, Charity Number 1137196: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1137196&subid=0
• Giving is Great Charity Factsheet: https://givingisgreat.org/charity-factsheet/?regNo=1137196
• Educational Grants Directory listing: https://educational-grants.org/find-charity/thornton-smith-plelvins/