To apply for the Oakley Award, you must be a former GDST pupil who has completed both years of sixth form, studying in the UK and you can be up to the age of 25.

The Fund is specifically for supporting projects that relate to your ongoing career or academic developments, whether short or long term. Preference is shown for noteworthy or community orientated projects that can demonstrate a public or charitable benefit or an inspirational achievement.

Particular interest will be given to students who have made their own arrangements.

We are keen to encourage applicants from all areas of academic and career background, not just medical and teaching, provided you can clearly demonstrate the value of your chosen project.

Please note: We are not able to make awards to the same individual more than once (unless the project is deemed to be particularly exceptional). We are also not able to support applicants working with organisations such as Gap and Raleigh due to the large number of students who make their arrangements with these schemes.

How to apply

You can submit an application for the Oakley Fund at any point during the year. The applications are then assessed on an ongoing basis.

Applications should be written to demonstrate clearly how you would use the Oakley Award and why this project has particular importance or relevance to your career or studies.

If you are successful in obtaining the Oakley Award, we ask that you support the Trust’s Minerva Network by providing a report for the Minerva website and newsletter as well as being available to schools as part of the Minerva Speaker Pool.

 Application Form for the Oakley Award

If you would like to apply for the Oakley Award please complete the application form and return to Natalie Finn at the GDST Communications and Development Office, The Girls’ Day School Trust, 100 Rochester Row, London SW1P 1JP. Alternatively you may email your application to n.finn@wes.gdst.net