The Seckford Foundation
Woodbridge School is a core part of the Seckford Foundation. Established in the 16th century by Thomas Seckford, courtier to Queen Elizabeth I, lawyer and contemporary philanthropist, the Foundation continues his vision today to provide exceptional education to the young and care to the elderly in the Woodbridge area.
The Seckford Foundation is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity (charity number 1110964, regulated by the Charity Commission). As a not-for-profit charity, the Foundation has no shareholders and all surpluses are reinvested back into its activities, which are overseen by a board of experienced Governors.
The Seckford Foundation history and the school
The Seckford Foundation is one of Suffolk’s oldest charities, endowed by Thomas Seckford in 1587, with the mission to promote the education of the young and the care of older people in and around Woodbridge.
The School, in its first form, came from the ideas of Thomas Seckford who, as a Master of the Court of Requests, founded an almshouse for 13 ‘poor men’ providing sheltered care in a well-regulated and spiritual environment in 1587. From those foundations the Seckford Foundation was born.
In 1662, Robert Marryott, a local lawyer known as ‘the great eater,’ conveyed meetings of local worthies at ‘The Crown’ and ‘The Kings Head’ to discuss the need for a school. With generous donations from Francis Burwell, Dorothy Seckford, and the will of Thomas Annott, the institution was created.
The Master’s book of Admission, the Liber Admissionum, which stands as the source for the next 200 years of the school’s history, is prefaced with Orders, Constitutions and Directions, giving a clear picture of their aspirations for the school; they are still largely followed today.
The Seckford Foundation today
The Foundation continues to own and operate two significant and long-standing institutions in the town – Seckford Care and Woodbridge School including the Seckford Theatre, with a total income of £17 million pa.
With strong leadership and governance The Seckford Foundation prides itself on a commitment to the whole community, providing a strong base on which its activities can thrive and deliver on the mission of “a foundation for life”. As well as Woodbridge School it operates:
- Seckford Care – Based at the Seckford Almshouses in Woodbridge, offering sheltered, extra-sheltered and residential care, enabling older people to lead safe, independent and fulfilling lives.
- Seckford Theatre – A 330 seat cutting-edge professional theatre, used by both the School and outside theatre companies.
- Woodbridge School Enterprises Ltd – a vehicle for the school’s commercial operations.
A Financial Foundation for Woodbridge School
One of the key benefits for Woodbridge School of the Seckford Foundation is being part of a large, financially secure charity, with an experienced board of Governors.
Confidence in our financial stability is essential for our parents knowing that Woodbridge School can deliver consistently high-quality education, invest in experienced teachers, maintain facilities and plan for long-term improvements to directly benefit our students. This stability ensures that parents can trust the school to support their child’s education throughout the years.
Key highlights from the Seckford Foundations accounts for 2023/24 are:
- No external borrowings and net cash funds of £1.2 million.
- Net assets of £26 million, comprising both the land and facilities of Woodbridge School and Seckford Care (which are owned freehold by the Foundation) and long-term investment funds.
- An Operating Surplus for the year of £1.1 million (8% of net fee income) for Woodbridge School, which is line with sector benchmarks. As a not-for-profit charity, this is all reinvested back into the School.
- Capital expenditure for the year of £1.0m at Woodbridge School, enhancing and developing facilities for our students, including the netball courts, the dome refurbishment and replacement of the art block roof and windows.
Want to see for yourself?
In addition to our open days, we welcome visits from parents and children looking for the right foundation for life ahead. We’ll be happy to show you around and answer any questions you have about our School, staff and the support we offer our students.