Educational Foundation

When the school for boys that Sir Thomas Dunk had gifted in his 1718 Will closed in 1923 after 200 years, its educational objective continued as Dunk’s Educational Foundation (DEF).

Today, Dunk’s Educational Foundation supports young people with a connection to Hawkhurst in their quest for continuing education.

Each summer DEF hands out grants to young people in Hawkhurst to assist with travel expenses to school or college, a special project/activities, or help with extra tuition.

Who Can Apply

You have to live in Hawkhurst, be aged 16+ and either continuing your full-time school education (GCSEs / A-levels) or continuing your education enrolled in courses at a college (not university).

Occasionally, applications that fall outside the primary criteria can be considered at the Trustees’ discretion.

How to Apply

For an application form contact: dunksclerk@outlook.com – Telephone 01580 388973

or you can download the application form here:

Application Deadline

The deadline every year is 31 July.

Applications will be considered on their merit and the number of grants awarded are dependent on funds available. All DEF grants are funded mainly by income from hiring out the hall in the Almshouses (the former school room) for clubs, meetings, private parties, supplemented by private donations.

Support Us

Dunk’s Educational Foundation is keen to widen the scope of what they can do for young people – for example, help fund an apprenticeship programme. If you are able to assist in this, either by donations to the grants fund or otherwise, we would love to hear from you.

One easy way to make a donation is by going to Dunk’s GoFundMe page that allows you to make a donation (anonymously if preferred).