THE ROBERT PLEYDELL EDUCATIONAL CHARITY
THE ROBERT PLEYDELL EDUCATIONAL CHARITY
Origins of the Charity
The Lord of the Manor of Ampney Crucis in 1722 was Robert Pleydell.
In 1793 he gifted to the village land and buildings that became the Ampney Crucis Charity School and the Teacher’s House.
In 1863, supervision of the Charity passed to the Charity Commissioners and the current trustees are still accountable to the Charity Commission.
The current trust deed was established in 1977 and amended in 2002. It is the document by which the trustees are all bound.
In 1979, the trustees agreed to sell ‘The Teacher’s House’ (now ‘The Old School House’), which was part of the originally gifted site. The remainder of the gifted land is the site of the village primary school and remains in the Charity’s ownership.
The proceeds from the sale of the ‘The Teacher’s House’ were invested and the investment income is distributed at the discretion of the trustees to help support the village school and young people from the village.
What the Charity does
Each year, the trustees invite eligible young people to apply for modest grants to help them when facing essential costs of apprenticeships, further or higher education or starting work.
Grants are generally given towards the costs of books, equipment or field work, though applications for help with other essential costs will be considered.
In addition, the trustees award a grant to Ampney Crucis School to help fund essential or any other benefits not covered by the Local Education Authority.
As an indication of the activities of the Charity, in the 16 years between 2010 and 2025 (inclusive), 111 individuals received grants totalling £20,875 and Ampney Crucis School received £87,750.
Governance of the Charity
The Robert Pleydell Educational Charity is governed by seven trustees who reflect its local background and priorities.
Six trustees are nominated by four separate bodies: the Parochial Church Council (2), Ampney Crucis School (2), the Parish Council (1) and Gloucestershire County Council (1). The seventh trustee is Ex-Officio and is the incumbent Vicar or Rector of Ampney Crucis Church.
Each trustee is appointed for an initial term of four years, which is renewable at expiry. Subject to their continuing eligibility, there is no maximum number of terms a trustee may serve.
How to apply
In order to qualify for a grant individuals must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- They must be under the age of 25 on 1st September of the application year; and
- Either they or their parents must live in Ampney Crucis Parish and be on the Electoral Roll on 1st September of the year in which you apply.
ANY young person who meets these criteria may apply.
The trustees invite applications each year, usually advertising in The Ampney Times, on the Village Network and on village noticeboards from late Spring until the 31st August, which is the last date for receipt of applications.
The trustees aim to consider all applications in early September and notify successful applicants shortly thereafter.
A copy of the current application form may be accessed here: Application Form
Neil Holt
Chair, Board of Trustees,
The Robert Pleydell Educational Charity
