Bedgebury Foundation Trustee Company

The Bedgebury Foundation Trustee Company advances education as a transformative force to break barriers for disadvantaged children and young people, prioritizing access for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Rooted in values of inclusion, equity, and specialist expertise, it champions high-quality teaching, teacher development, and innovative programmes that empower educators to support SEND learners. Its grantmaking philosophy emphasizes strategic capacity building, sustainable impact through skilled professionals, and a theory of change where expert SEND training and targeted interventions deliver lasting educational equity and opportunity.

It funds projects enhancing educational access for children and young people aged 5-19 facing disadvantage, learning disabilities, dyslexia, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, physical disabilities, or complex needs, including bursaries for specialist training, after-school skills programmes, literacy interventions, and inclusive school activities fostering confidence and development. Priorities encompass teacher training in SEND provision, dyslexia expertise, and inclusion strategies; capacity building for schools and training institutions serving pupils with additional barriers; innovative initiatives like Inspiring Young Minds for therapeutic educational activities, peer support in learning environments, and professional development schemes such as the Emma Anna-Marie Memorial Bursary. Supported interventions include person-centred teaching, early intervention for SEND, trauma-informed educational support, community-led inclusion projects, and holistic programmes addressing emotional regulation, social skills, and academic progress for excluded learners and their families.

Exclusions encompass religious activities, general operational expenses, capital projects, one-off events, or ongoing core funding, focusing solely on time-limited, outcome-driven educational advancement with clear public benefit. Distinctive for leadership by SEND and education specialists, it prioritizes UK-wide initiatives filling gaps in public SEND provision, charities demonstrating integrity, evidence-based practice, and direct impact on disadvantaged pupils or teacher capacity in inclusion, literacy, and specialist support, favouring grassroots educators and schools tackling systemic barriers over broad community services.