About the Foundation

Royal Merchant Navy Education Foundation was established in 1827 as an Orphan Asylum, tasked with providing board and lodging for the orphans of British Merchants’ Seamen.

Our Patron is HM, King Charles III.

An evolving charity

The Foundation’s place of business has changed a number of times, and over the years, we have operated an orphan asylum, an orphanage and, until recently, a school. Now, as demand and requirements have changed, we support children at educational establishments throughout the country. With this in mind, we decided to change our name from ‘The Royal Merchant Navy School Foundation’, as we were previously known, to the ‘Royal Merchant Navy Education Foundation’.

To learn more about the history of the Royal Merchant Navy Education Foundation please click here, or take a look at our Facebook page.

Did you know?

Continuing the unbroken patronage of British monarchs since 1835, King Edward VII approved the change of name from ‘The Merchant Seamen’s Orphanage’ to ‘The Royal Merchant Seamen’s Orphanage’ in 1902.

Following the announcement of her engagement to Prince Philip in 1947, HRH Princess Elizabeth visited The Royal Merchant Navy School, at Bearwood.

Click the button below to find out more about our rich and detailed history, stretching back to 1827.