A national children’s charity
working to create stability and opportunity
for children facing the greatest barriers
Who We Are
Our journey began in the 19th century as an orphanage supporting vulnerable children.
Today, we have evolved into a forward-facing charity working in partnership with local authorities, schools and organisations across the UK to improve outcomes for children and young people.
We focus particularly on children with experience of the care system and those growing up in low-income communities, strengthening stability, access to education, and long-term outcomes through our programmes, partnerships and research.
Our Mission
Across the UK, too many children face unequal access to opportunity, shaped by where they grow up and whether they experience instability in their care. Rising demand on children's social care services and increasing pressure on public funding mean that too often, support comes too late or is unable to change long-term outcomes.
We believe that by intervening at key moments — and by strengthening stability, relationships and access to opportunity — it is possible to change life trajectories for the better.
We are focused on impact & learning
We hold ourselves accountable, and we are committed to continuously reflecting on our pupils’ experiences and adapting our model to respond to what we learn.
We always start with the child
In everything we do, we ask: “What is in the best interests of the young person?” Our ‘Whole Child’-centred approach means continually asking ourselves if we are doing all we can to ensure children are healthy, safe, supported, engaged, and thriving academically.
Our Values
We are
optimistic
We believe passionately that a boarding or independent school education can transform the life chances of any child, regardless of their background.
We act with integrity
Our pupils, families, schools and community partners trust us to make good decisions. They have confidence in our values and how we work.
We work together in a network
We believe that it is only by working collaboratively in long-term, committed school and community partnerships that we will make a lasting difference to social mobility.
Our holistic strategy to support children
Partnering across the voluntary sector to reduce fragmentation and strengthen collaboration – not as a service provider, but as an honest broker.
Step 1Intervening at key moments in a child’s life – such as care transitions, crtitical school stages and post-education preparation.
Step 2Using strategic grant-making to activate underused assets and extend our reach.
Step 3Investing in evidence-based programmes with proven impact and the potential to scale.
Step 4
Our History
Royal National Children's SpringBoard Foundation is the result of the 2017 merger of Royal National Children's Foundation (RNCF) and The SpringBoard Bursary Foundation (SpringBoard).
RNCF started out as the Royal Wanstead Children's Foundation, an organisation founded by Dr Andrew Reed in 1827. Initially an orphanage, the charity benefitted from donations from the young Princess Victoria who later became Royal Patron. The charity evolved to support vulnerable children at a range of boarding and day schools across the UK.
The SpringBoard Bursary Foundation was launched in 2012, inspired by the Arnold Foundation of Rugby School to help children from some of the UK's most deprived communities to attend leading boarding schools on full bursaries.
On the merger of RNCF and SpringBoard, HRH The Princess Royal, who was previously patron of RNCF, became patron of Royal National Children's SpringBoard Foundation.
Our People
Meet our team of education and social mobility professionals, trustees
and advisory board members.
Ali Henderson
Ali Henderson is Chief Executive of the Royal National Children’s SpringBoard Foundation (RNCSF), a role she has held since March 2020. She brings extensive experience in tackling social inequality, with a career spanning senior roles in central and local government, No.10 Downing Street, and the charity sector, including Oxfam.
Before becoming CEO, Ali led RNCSF’s approach to impact and learning. A Cambridge Economics graduate, she has over 15 years’ experience designing and delivering programmes and policies that improve outcomes for disadvantaged young people.
CEO
Nick Owen, CBE
Chairman TrusteeNick is a highly experienced business leader and a passionate advocate for inclusion and social mobility. Until recently, he served as Chair of Deloitte UK and Deloitte North & South Europe, following a long career in consulting, including senior leadership roles at Deloitte and Arthur Andersen.
Nick is a Trustee of Teach First, where he also chairs the Business Leaders Council, and a Trustee of Macmillan Cancer Support, serving on its Finance & Audit and Charitable Expenditure Committees. He also chairs the Professional & Business Services Council, working with government to support the UK’s growth agenda.
Robert Swannell, CBE
Vice Patron and member of the Advisory BoardRobert is a highly respected business leader and public servant with extensive experience across finance, governance, and the charitable sector. A founding Trustee of the Springboard Bursary Foundation, he has played a key role in its growth and its merger with the Royal National Children’s Foundation to form the Royal National Children’s SpringBoard Foundation (RNCSF).
He has held numerous trustee and advisory roles in education and social mobility charities, and was appointed CBE in 2018 for his services to business, finance, and retail.
Our Policies
We regularly review and update our policies and procedures in order to maintain the highest standard of professionalism and safety.
Please see our policy documents below.