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RICHARD THORNTON FOUNDATION

The Richard Thornton Foundation, Charity Number 312316, was founded in 1868 in order to “maintain schools in the Borough of Merton” and to “educate and apprentice poor children to some trade or business”.

The Foundation was established from a legacy of £11,000 in the Will of Richard Thornton who died in 1865. £2,000 of this initial legacy was used to construct the buildings in which to operate a school with the balance retained as investment funds to contribute towards the upkeep of the school and the education of local children. For over a hundred years the Foundation continued to support the (Merton National) school whose construction it had funded at Melrose Road in Merton Park.

As the school age population of the locality dwindled during the 1960’s it became impractical to maintain a school at this site. In 1971 the Foundation, in conjunction with Merton Council and with the then Education Secretary, Margaret Thatcher, exchanged the ownership of the existing premises for that of Queens Road County School in Wimbledon.

Queens Road Middle School was re-designated to become a primary school and was renamed as The Priory C of E School, in which capacity it continues to this day.

The Foundation continues to own the school buildings and most of the land on the site and holds a number of other investments. The Foundation makes available funds each year to provide for educational needs within the Parish of Merton.

In recent years this has involved making donations for both the upkeep of The Priory C of E School buildings and for educational activities at the school. It should be noted that there is no limitation on the distribution of funds only to The Priory C of E School.

The Foundation is run by a number of local Trustees including the Vicar and Church Wardens of St Mary's Church in Merton Park and individuals from the local community with an interest in or expertise relevant to the aims of the Foundation.