Next Step Foundation

Next Step Foundation, a UK-registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation established in 2016 by Bonas Macfarlane, advances education for public benefit by supporting high-ability students from underprivileged backgrounds to access undergraduate programmes at the UK's most selective universities, such as Oxbridge and Russell Group institutions. Governed by trustees including D Wellesley-Wesley and C Bonas, its mission emphasises educational meritocracy, social mobility, and equalising opportunities by bridging resource gaps in disadvantaged schools. Distinctively, it leverages Bonas Macfarlane's tutoring expertise in a structured, evidence-based model, with proven outcomes like 32%+ Oxbridge acceptance rates rivaling top independent schools.

The Foundation prioritises targeted support for underrepresented secondary school students, defined by UK widening participation criteria, through its core 10-month online university preparation programme. This high-touch intervention, curated by expert tutors, provides individualised academic challenges, admissions guidance, enrichment, and skill-building to raise aspirations and competitiveness. Beneficiaries are nominated via partnerships with UK state schools and multi-academy trusts, focusing on holistic preparation that supplements school limitations rather than broader infrastructure.

Eligibility is limited to UK academic institutions, particularly state secondary schools and multi-academy trusts nationwide, with no income thresholds or size restrictions but a requirement for serving disadvantaged, high-potential pupils. It does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional grants, or cash awards—instead offering in-kind programme delivery through ongoing school collaborations coordinated annually. No deadlines, funding rounds, or meetings apply for external entities. Exclusions include generalist education, non-UK entities, public/charity grant requests, and non-partner nominations; its specialist elite-access focus and direct-impact model set it apart for charities seeking school-partnered university progression initiatives.