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News
15 June 2015
Celebrating our Bicentenary Year
A special publication marks the 200 years of the charity
The Royal Caledonian Education Trust (RCET), originally known as the Caledonian Asylum, was founded on 14 June 1815 by the Royal assent of King George III. For over its 200 years, the charity has benefited from considerable support of: the Royal Family; persons of nobility; senior ranking military leaders; former prime ministers; and many prominent Scots took a keen interest in the Royal Caledonian Schools.
To coincide with this special bicentenary year of the Trust, the RCET has produced a publication titled ‘A National Institution of the Scottish Nation A Retrospective: 1815 – 2015,’ which documents the history of the Trust. Compiled and written by the Trust’s Chairman, Malcolm Noble, he describes how subscriptions were opened in every parish across Scotland to help fund a school to look after the sons and daughters of Scots who were serving or had fallen in battle.
Actual events dictated the Asylum was located in London rather than Edinburgh as planned, but it became very much an Institution of the Scottish nation where Scottish traditions were observed and taught. A feature in the Scotsman newspaper published on 1 December 1933 stated: “In no other schools in England is Scottish dress always worn and the sound of pipes the familiar music of the day.”
The 48-page retrospective features anecdotes, illustrations and photography, which tells the story of how the charity endured two world wars, evolved and adapted to events of the time and continues to support Armed Forces children and young people to the present day.
There is also a special congratulatory message from the charity’s patron, Her Majesty The Queen, in recognition of the Trust’s bicentenary, which says: “We owe a great debt of gratitude to Scots who have protected and served this country as members of our Armed Forces. The Royal Caledonian Education Trust continues to support its sons and daughters in making the most of the opportunities open to them throughout their education. As your Patron, I recognise that the work of the Trust is as important today as it was when founded 200 years ago. I send my very best wishes on this bicentenary.”
In 1996, the Royal Caledonian Schools closed due to continuing decline in demand for places. However, the RCET continues to fulfil the aims of the original charter by providing education support for children of Scottish serving and veteran families in need. Last year the RCET dispersed in excess of 250 grants to cover the cost of clothing, after-school activities, school trips, and other expenses to families on low incomes or living with disability and ill health.
As well as providing grants to Armed Forces families and signposting to other service charities, the RCET also has a very active education programme in Scotland which provides educational resources and training for professionals and organisations in Scotland to help them recognise and support children and young people experiencing difficulties in school – particularly in the lead up to, and during, deployment. As well as promoting good practice and professional development, the RCET invests in research, conferences and many other collaborations to support Armed Forces children and young people.
The RCET is organising and attending a number of events across Scotland during its bicentenary year to raise awareness of the support the charity provides to Armed Forces children and young people. On reaching the milestone, RCET Chairman, Malcolm Noble said: “It’s an incredible achievement to have succeeded in meeting educational needs of Armed Forces children as they have changed over 200 years. We started as a London charity, we extended our activities north of the border early in the present century and the time has now come to relocate to Edinburgh. This will enable us to work more effectively with schools, military communities and local authorities in every part of Scotland. The Trust couldn’t have survived 200 years without the loyalty of its supporters and as we move forward that need has never been greater.”
To find out more, to support the work of the Trust or to receive a copy of the publication, please email [email protected] or call 0131 240 2224.