The Educational Charity of David Rees

A gentleman named David Rees, who was born in 1727 (usually given as 1708 but entry in parish burial register gives his age as 62) lived in the parish of St Ann’s Soho, in the City of London, which was then in the county of Middlesex. He then moved to Laugharne in Carmarthenshire at least five years before he died 26 th March 1789.

His tombstone in Amroth Church graveyard states that he was ‘formally of this parish’ and, with the interest shown in the educational needs of children of Amroth, it is assumed that he was born or lived in Amroth Parish before he moved to London.

On his death he owned 9 properties in the City of London including 3 in Oxford Street.

In his will, David Rees gave “unto the Churchwardens and overseers of the Parish of Amroth out of the interest and dividends arising from my personal estate the clear yearly sum of fifteen pounds to be by them from time to time annually applied towards the payment of a schoolmaster in instructing such poor children within the said parish whose parents are unable to pay for their education and instruction and the further clear yearly sum of five pounds to be annually distributed by them not in ease of any parish rates to and between the poor of said parish.”

From the Dyfed County archives, it has been ascertained that this occurred and about 70 children were taught reading and writing gratuitously in a school room built by the parish.

It is of interest to note that the parents had to pay three shillings a quarter if they wished their children to learn arithmetic.

No other information is available until 27th April 1882 when the “Educational Charity of David Rees” was formed by The Charity Commissioners to “make payments towards the maintenance of any Evening Continuation School in or near the parish of Amroth and, if no such school was available, scholarships could be awarded, tenable at Narberth County School, to children bona fide residents in the parish of Amroth.

A copy of the scheme and a record of all subsequent meetings are contained in a minute book in accordance with the scheme.

Payments were made to Amroth and Stepaside evening schools from 1898 until 1931 when scholarships were introduced which continued until 1963.

In 1964 it was found to be impracticable to award scholarships and the Trustees did not record a further meeting until 1973 when payments commenced to Amroth and Stepaside schools “towards the school funds”.

When Amroth School was closed in 1982 and, as Stepaside School mostly served children not resident in Amroth, it was decided to make £10 cash grants to Amroth Children who transferred to secondary education.

In 1986, as it was considered that cash grants “may not have been used for educational purposes” it was decided to present a dictionary or thesaurus. The dictionary or thesaurus was hand-delivered to local primary schools for children in Year 6 who are residents in the Parish of Amroth, at the time they move on to secondary school.

This format of reward continued until 2023, when the scheme was re-appraised. With the advent of the internet and changes to the way children are taught and encouraged to use technology, it was felt that the dictionary and thesaurus had become outdated. It was also felt that the well-being of children and how to support a harmonious transition from primary to secondary education should be considered, as well as improving the quality of the reward. Subsequently, since 2023 a grant of £100 has been provided to families resident in the Amroth Community Council area for each child transitioning to secondary education. Upon receipt of an expense, this grant can be used to help the child adjust to their new school and can be used toward various school items including uniforms, sports or musical equipment, arts materials or school accessories.

The Educational Charity of David Rees reward is available to all children who meet the criteria of:

1. Will be transitioning from Year 6 of primary school to Year 7 of secondary school  that summer

2. Is a permanent resident in the Amroth Community Council area during their Year 6 and Year 7 school time.

3. Payment of the reward to be completed by October 31st of the year that the child is in Year 7.

For the majority of children, the parent/guardian will receive a letter inviting them to apply for the reward.

For children currently attending Stepaside CP School, Saundersfoot CP School or Tavernspite CP School:

At the start of the summer term, around May 1st, The Educational Charity of David Rees via The Clerk to Amroth Community Council will write to the schools to request details of the number of children currently in Year 6  and resident in the Amroth Community Council area who will be transferring to Year 7 of secondary school for the Autumn term. A map of the Amroth Community Council area is also provided for reference.

Schools are requested to return numbers (or confirm no pupils) by May 30th. Note, for GDPR purposes the schools will never provide details of pupil names or addresses, only the number of pupils.

Each school will then be provided with the correct number of "Invitation To Apply" letters addressed to the parents/guardians. These will be delivered to the schools in the second half of the summer term before the child leaves the school. The letter is given to the child by a member of the staff from their school. There is no direct contact between The Educational Charity of David Rees and the child at any time.

Parents/guardians receive the letter from their child and make contact with The Educational Charity of David Rees via The Clerk to Amroth Community Council, if they have any queries or questions.

If they would like to avail of the reward for the child, a receipt for approved expenses needs to be submitted to The Clerk, along with proof of residency within the Amroth Community Council area  and bank account details before the closing date of October 31st. Payment of the reward will be made by BACS.

If you believe you should have received an "Invitation To Apply" letter and have not done so, please contact your primary school in the first instance to see if the letters have been distributed and then contact The Clerk for further assistance.

For children attending other primary schools:

In the first instance, parents/guardians should contact The Clerk before the end of the summer term and advise details of the current primary school that the child attends. The Clerk will then confirm with the school that as they have a Year 6 child resident in the Amroth Community Council area at the school, could they hand over the "Invitation To Apply" letter. If yes, then the standard process above will be followed. If the school is not in a position to hand over the letter, then please contact The Clerk  for further assistance.

Traditionally, funding of The Educational Charity of David Rees has been supported by dividend and interest payments from the estate left by David Rees and held in trust. Since 1789, the value of the trust and subsequent payments has decreased in real-term value and The Charity is now also supported through additional funding streams:

Fundraising events on behalf of The Charity organised and supported by local community groups and businesses

Private personal donations

Business donations

If you would like to help us support our local children and families during this important time in their educational transition between schools please do get in touch to discuss fundraising or donation opportunities. Please contact The Clerk in the first instance.

GIFT AID - Help us receive 25% more on your donation. It costs you no more.