TST merges with SOSS

The trustees of the Teaching Staff Trust (TST) and the Society of Schoolmasters and Schoolmistresses (SOSS) have concluded negotiations for the two charities to merge under the TST name and brand.

SOSS was founded in 1797 by a group of influential London Schoolmasters and was one the first charities to support people working in education. For 200 years its support was limited to Schoolmasters but in 1997 it also started to accept applications from Schoolmistresses. TST and SOSS have worked alongside each other and in partnership since 1982 and, in 2017, the SOS board of trustees decided that all its support should be delivered by TST pending merger.

In April 2018, the SOSS board took the decision to close the charity and transfer the assets to TST and it has been assisted by Yoke and Co in so doing.

John Clark, Chair of the SOSS board of trustees, said “I am delighted that this merger has now happened.  SOSS and TST have enjoyed a very close relationship for some years and it is right and fitting that TST continues the work that SOSS started over two hundred years ago.  I am pleased to continue to work with TST as a new member of its board.”

Janet Davies, Chair of the TST board of trustees welcomed the merger “we are so pleased that SOSS trustees have invested their trust in TST and want us to support their community in the future.  Delivery of education to children and young people has changed enormously and charities such as ours have to find ways to keep up.  This merger will help us to do that.”

The very rich history of SOSS is encapsulated in a book “Just A Little Charity” written by John Wolters and to celebrate the merger of the two charities we are giving copies to all those who are interested.  Please contact enquiries@teachingstafftrust.org.uk if you would like to receive a