The Woodard Schools (Southern Division) Benefit Fund
Lancing ~ Hurstpierpoint ~ Ardingly ~ Bloxham
What is it?
The Fund was established by Canon Nathaniel Woodard, the founder of Woodard Schools. The Fund is a registered Charity administered by a Committee of former students and the Headmasters of the four schools in the Southern Division.
What does it do?
The fund has three objects:-
1 It makes grants (called Distress Grants) to members of the Fund or their immediate dependants who are, for whatever reason, in severe financial difficulties.
Examples of assistance that has been provided in the past include financial assistance to the wife of a member who became disabled, assistance with funding during a period of ill health, and providing financial assistance for the support of a daughter of a member of the Fund whilst the member was seeking new employment.
2 It makes grants (called Educational Grants) to provide financial assistance towards the education of members or to the children of living or deceased members of the Fund. Past examples of this assistance include a grant to enable completion of a course at university of the son of a member who unexpectedly fell on hard times, providing assistance to a member who, seeking a career change, needed a grant to help fund further education and providing financial support for a period of overseas training which the member had to fund for themselves as a student.
3 It grants bursaries at the Constituent Schools on the recommendation of the Headmaster for a pupil at his school who must be the child of a living or deceased member of the Fund. Each year a sum of money is made available from the Fund to the Schools which is applied on the recommendation of the Headmaster when financial difficulties are encountered in relation to the payment of fees of a qualifying student.
This has enabled a considerable number of students to complete their education without the disturbance which may otherwise may have occurred.
How is it funded?
A fund has been built up over the years which is invested professionally. Benefits are granted from the Fund in accordance with its objects as the Committee considers appropriate. The Fund is increased by the Life Subscription Fee for joining members. The Life subscription fee is £115 for those joining within one year of leaving school and £175 thereafter.
Membership
The Headmasters strongly recommend that all ex students become members of the Fund. This will usually have been achieved by including the Life Subscription on your final term's bill, but former pupils may check with the Secretary to confirm their membership. By joining the Fund, members will ensure that the excellent work is maintained and extended and even if members never have need of assistance themselves, they will be contributing towards the aid of their less fortunate colleagues.
The trust now has its own website www.woodardschoolsfund.co.uk
Telephone: 01903 743346(H) email andy.vickerstaff@which.net