What we do

The objects of the charity are to further the education of children and young people with special needs, with particular reference to dyslexia but not excluding other disabilities.  We do this by making grants to relevant schools and other registered charities, mainly in the south-east excluding London.  Details of our grant-making policies are on the Applications page.

Constitution

The charity is governed under a Memorandum and Articles of Association originated on 18 September 1975 and last amended in October 2008. 

The charity is constituted as a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, no. 1238771.  Our Companies House public record can be accessed here (type at Company Number: 1238771).

The charity is registered with the Charity Commission, no. 270943.  Our Charity Commission Register entry can be viewed here.

History

The trust was formed in 1973 to govern Downlands College, a special needs school catering for young people with dyslexia and dysgraphia.  The pioneering school was set up by Professor Zita Albes, a clinical psychologist from Budapest university, who prior to emigrating to the UK in 1969 had spent many years working for the United Nations.  The experienced schoolmaster John Egford was appointed Headmaster.  The trust was incorporated as a company in 1975 and registered as a charity in 1977.  

The school, initially in Saltdean, Brighton, expanded, and a need for larger premises arose.  These were identified in an Elizabethan building set in 2.5 acres in Isaacs Lane, Haywards Heath.  The setting had formerly housed a preparatory school, Wick and Parkfield School, whose unusual name arose from a merger of two separate schools.  The school had been operating for some 70 years, was run latterly by a Bill and Pat Halstead and closed in 1974.

The facilities of Downlands College now included a self-financing horticultural unit run by Mike Laker, brother of the late airline entrepreneur Freddie.  Notable events in its history included featuring in a Southern TV report in 1975 and being donated a mini-bus by the Lions Club.  

Downlands College continued until 1985 when, in keeping with many independent special schools following the 1978 Warnock Report and consequent 1981 Education Act, local authority sponsorship was not forthcoming to the same extent as hitherto.  Pupil numbers fell and financial difficulties arose.  The land and premises were sold and the proceeds invested.  

Since the college's closure the investment income has been used to support schools and other charities providing for young people with special needs.  In the last ten years, the charity has awarded grants totalling over £200,000 to some 35 organisations and causes.

Zita Albes was decorated for her work with UNESCO and the United Nations.  She developed Convaid, a battery-operated speech synthesizer for people with speech impediments, and wrote several books on dyslexia.  Without her initiative there would be no Downlands Educational Trust.  John Egford became secretary of the trust for many years, only retiring at nearly 85 in December 2008.  The old school building in Isaacs Lane is now Downlands Park, a BUPA nursing home.

Our thanks to former pupil Mark Harris, John Egford and the management and staff of Downlands Park Nursing Home for sharing recollections and data contributing to the above

Management

The charity is governed by currently seven trustees, who form the Council of Management.  The trustees also act as company directors.  The present trustees are: 

• Chairman: Mrs Phoebe Cameron – parent with a background in primary school teaching and an interest in special needs
• Vice-Chairman: Mrs Alison Henderson – company director with a particular interest in education and special needs
• Stephen Burley - company director and adviser to two major organisations in the fields of investments, pensions and finance
• Jack Cookson - solicitor, senior partner in a local legal practice
• Ian Henderson - retired businessman wishing to put something back into the community
• Ms Sam Matthews - secretary and founding parent of a school for autistic children
• Mrs Sue Morgan - parent and chartered accountant with training in teaching, assessing and supporting learners with specific learning difficulties

The trustees meet three times per year to consider applications for funding and conduct other business, generally in February, June and October.  There is an Annual General Meeting in October.

The trustees seek to maintain a Council of Management drawn from a range of backgrounds with experience relevant to the charity’s activities, and to keep up to date with developments in relevant fields.  Three new members have joined the Council in the last 2 years.  Four have retired, however, so the trustees are concerned to recruit further new blood, including people with experience in relevant educational or clinical posts - more details on News page.  

The charity employs a part-time secretary, its only paid post, to support the trustees and carry out day to day administration. 

Further governance information including the charity’s regulatory compliance history can be viewed on the Charity Commission website here .

Contact details are on the Contact page.

Finance and accounts

The trustees aim to make grants totalling around £25,000 annually, with the charity breaking even on its income and expenditure, taking one year with another.  

Our accounts for 2010/11 showed income of £28,188 and donations of £22,461 to 8 organisations, against £26,690, £22,310 and 9 respectively in 2009/10.  After charitable costs of £2,781, governance costs of £2,135 and investment gains of £69,672 there was an overall increase in funds of £70,483.  The charity's net assets at 30 June 2011 stood at £696,934.

The paragraph above summarises some key points of our financial results and position from our statutory accounts, and does not contain sufficient information to allow a full understanding of the charity’s financial affairs.  It is not audited or independently examined.  For full information the 2010/11 Annual report and accounts, setting out our financial results and position for that year and the associated Trustees’ report, should be consulted.  These were signed on behalf of the trustees on 21 September 2011, received an unqualified report from the independent examiner on 27 September, have been submitted to the Charity Commission and Companies House, and can be seen here.  Hard copies can be obtained from the Secretary, at the address given on the Contact page or by clicking here; a small charge may be made to cover our costs. 

A 5-year financial summary and earlier years' reports and accounts can be viewed here.