Wispers Trust Limited

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £92,955 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not published
• Decision Time: 3-6 months
• Grant Range: Variable - covers school fees for GCSE/A2 students
• Geographic Focus: Hampshire, Sussex, Surrey, Greater London

Contact Details

• Website: www.wispers.org.uk
• Email: admin@wisperstrust.org.uk
• Phone: 01730 817961
• Address: PO Box 119, GU29 1BH

Overview

WISPERS TRUST LIMITED was established in 2008 following the closure and sale of Wispers School for Girls in Haslemere. The school's estimated £4 million in assets were used to create an investment portfolio generating ongoing income to fund educational bursaries “in perpetuity.” Since 2010, the Trust has awarded grants during successive academic years, enabling pupils to complete their GCSE or A2 studies when their families face unexpected financial difficulties. The Trust operates with five volunteer trustees and had total expenditure of £92,955 in the financial year ending August 2024.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Educational Bursaries: Variable amounts to cover independent school fees for Years 10-13 (application deadline 1st March annually)

Priority Areas

• Supporting girls aged 14-18 in financial hardship to complete GCSE/A-Level education
• Maintaining continuity of education during critical exam years
• Students whose families experience bereavement or unexpected job loss
• Geographic focus: Greater London, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire

What They Don't Fund

• Students outside Years 10-13
• Students residing outside the four eligible geographic areas
• State school education or university fees
• Primary education
• Financial difficulties that are self-inflicted or foreseeable

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by five volunteer trustees who receive no remuneration. The trustees meet to review applications submitted by the March deadline and make decisions on grant awards. The Trust operates under memorandum and articles of association dated 14 April 1965, as amended on 12 May 1997 and 26 June 2009.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Download application form from www.wispers.org.uk (Parts 1 and 2)
2. Obtain written endorsement from current school headteacher
3. Submit by email to admin@wisperstrust.org.uk or post to PO Box 119, GU29 1BH
4. Deadline: 1st March annually for following academic year

Decision Timeline

Applications reviewed after March deadline with decisions made for September start. Typical timeframe 3-6 months from submission to decision.

Success Rates

Not published. Trust notes it has “awarded several grants during successive academic years since 2010.”

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated. Support may continue across multiple years during GCSE/A-Level studies.

Application Success Factors

• Genuinely Unexpected Financial Crisis: Must demonstrate sudden, unforeseen change in family circumstances through bereavement or unexpected job loss
• Strong School Endorsement: Headteacher support statement is mandatory and carries significant weight
• Critical Timing Focus: Emphasize importance of continuity during GCSE/A-Level exam years
• Existing School Relationship: Trust supports students remaining at current independent school
• Clear Geographic Eligibility: Must demonstrate residence in eligible areas

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• March 1st deadline is fixed annual date - no rolling applications accepted
• Focus on sudden, unforeseen nature of financial crisis (not gradual decline)
• School endorsement is mandatory - secure strong headteacher support
• Trust specifically targets GCSE/A-Level years - emphasize exam continuity
• Geographic eligibility is strict - confirm residence before applying
• Primary beneficiaries are girls, though boys considered exceptionally
• Well-endowed trust with stable funding from £4m investment portfolio

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Ewelme Exhibition Foundation
• Consolidated Charity of Burton upon Trent
• Thornton-Smith and Plevins Trust
• Sir William Boreman's Foundation
• Viquaran Nisa Noon and Firoz Khan Noon Educational Foundation
• Royal Female School of Art Foundation
• The Lytham Schools Foundation
• The Spoore, Merry and Rixman Foundation
• Armed Forces Education Trust
• The Record Charitable Trust

References

• Wispers Trust official website: www.wispers.org.uk (accessed 2 February 2026)
• Charity Commission Register: register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=307039 (accessed 2 February 2026)
• Educational Grants Directory: educational-grants.org/find-charity/wispers-trust/ (accessed 2 February 2026)
• Wikipedia entry on Wispers School: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wispers_School (accessed 2 February 2026)