Sunny Hill For Good Fund

Aim

Creating an independent charity to secure the former Bruton School for Girls for education, innovation and community use.

Help Create the Sunny Hill Rural Innovation Campus

Imagine if one of Somerset’s most important educational estates could be transformed into a place that serves the whole community once again.

The former Bruton School for Girls closed in 2022, leaving a remarkable 34-acre campus at risk of being lost through a conventional commercial sale.

We believe there is another way.

Our vision is to create the Sunny Hill Rural Innovation Campus—a unique place where education, innovation, enterprise, health and community come together on one connected campus.

It could become home to:

• Early years and nursery provision
• SEND education and specialist support
• Further education, apprenticeships and rural skills
• Business and enterprise space
• Arts, culture and performance
• Health and wellbeing services
• Sport and recreation
• Intergenerational living and community facilities

A place that continues the site’s educational legacy while creating new opportunities for future generations.

Why are we asking for community support?

Many people assume we’re asking the community to buy the site.

We’re not.

The long-term acquisition will require institutional funding, grant funding and strategic investment.

Our community campaign is funding the essential work that has to happen first.

Every successful community acquisition begins with strong foundations.

Your donations are helping us:

• Establish Sunny Hill Trust, the independent charitable organisation that will lead the community acquisition proposal.
• Obtain specialist charity legal advice and governance.
• Develop professional communications and community engagement.
• Build confidence with major funders and strategic partners.
• Commission the first stage of an independent feasibility study.

Without these foundations, there can be no credible proposal.

What we’ve achieved together

Thanks to our supporters, we’ve already:

• Raised over £5,800
• Launched our website
• Appointed a specialist charity solicitor
• Begun establishing Sunny Hill Trust
• Built a growing network of supporters, partners and volunteers

Every step has been made possible by people who believe this site still has an important role to play in Somerset’s future.

Our next milestone: £10,000

Our immediate goal is to raise £10,000.

This will allow us to commission the first stage of a professional feasibility study to test and refine the vision, demonstrate its viability and provide the evidence that institutional funders and strategic partners expect before committing significant investment.

It is a critical step towards developing a credible community acquisition proposal.

100% Volunteer Led

Everyone involved in Sunny Hill For Good is currently giving their time voluntarily.

No salaries are being paid from community donations.

Every pound raised is invested in the professional work needed to move the project forward.

Be Part of the Journey

This isn’t simply about preserving buildings.

It’s about creating opportunities for young people, supporting local businesses, strengthening rural communities, protecting educational heritage and building a campus that will serve Somerset for generations to come.

What happens if we don’t reach our target or our bid is unsuccessful?

Every donation will be used to support the Sunny Hill mission. If we do not reach our fundraising target, or if our bid to acquire the former Bruton School for Girls site is ultimately unsuccessful, funds will continue to be used for the purposes described in this campaign, including developing the project, establishing Sunny Hill Trust (the Charitable Incorporated Organisation), undertaking professional studies and advice, and pursuing the acquisition.

If the acquisition does not proceed, any remaining uncommitted funds will be applied to alternative community purposes that align with the aims of Sunny Hill For Good CIC or, where appropriate, transferred to Sunny Hill Trust to further its charitable objects.

If, in these circumstances, you would prefer your contribution not to be used for these alternative purposes, you may request a refund of your pro-rata share of any remaining uncommitted funds, calculated in proportion to your original donation after all project costs, contractual commitments and liabilities have been met. Requests for a refund must be made in writing within 30 days of the project being formally declared unsuccessful.

Sunny Hill For Good CIC is committed to complete transparency and will publish an account of how funds have been applied, together with any remaining balance, should these circumstances arise.

Whether you can donate £10 or £1,000, every contribution helps build the foundations for the next stage of this journey.

Together, we can create something extraordinary!

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 8th October 2026 at 6:33am