Coleshill Grammar School Endowment Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £191,487 (2023/24)
• Annual Income: £159,472 (2023/24)
• Grant Range: £75 (uniform grants) - £1,000 (Lady Plumb Award)
• Geographic Focus: Coleshill and surrounding parishes in Warwickshire
• Trustees: 12
• Application Method: Rolling basis via contact with Clerk

Contact Details

Clerk to the Trustees

• Phone: 01675 467464
• Email: clerk@coleshillgst.org.uk
• Website: www.coleshillgst.org.uk

Overview

The Coleshill Grammar School Endowment Foundation (Charity No. 528750) was established in 1958 from the sale of the old Coleshill Grammar School to continue its legacy of supporting local education. The Trust manages 12 trustees comprising representatives from the Heir at Law (Wingfield-Digby family), Warwickshire County Council, North Warwickshire Borough Council, and Coleshill Town Council, along with co-opted trustees. With annual expenditure of approximately £191,487, the Foundation provides grants to individuals in financial need, local schools in the Coleshill Cluster, and community or voluntary organizations. The Trust honors Lady Plumb, who served as a trustee for over 40 years, through an annual £1,000 award recognizing outstanding achievement by young people. The Foundation focuses exclusively on educational advancement for young people under 25 in the Coleshill area.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Grants (Ages 5-15)

• School trips (partial support)
• School swimming lessons
• Exceptional achievements in sports, dance, or music

Individual Grants (Ages 16-25)

• University books and core equipment
• School trips (partial support)
• Exceptional achievements in sports, dance, or music

Uniform Grants

• Up to £75 per applicant

Lady Plumb Award

• £1,000 annual award
• Recognizes outstanding achievement, commitment, or dedication
• Open to nominations across sport, arts, voluntary work, or educational/vocational aspirations

School Grants

• For Coleshill Cluster schools
• Exceptional and unusual provisions for teaching and learning

Priority Areas

• Educational advancement for young people under 25
• Support for families in financial need
• Exceptional educational opportunities (trips, equipment, books)
• Recognition of outstanding achievement and dedication
• Schools funding for innovative teaching and learning provisions

Geographic Eligibility

Applicants must either:

• Attend or have attended a school in the Coleshill Cluster, OR
• Live in the parishes of Coleshill, Maxstoke, Shustoke, Whitacres, Curdworth, Lea Marston, or Water Orton

What They Don't Fund

• IT equipment for individuals
• Travel passes or travel costs
• Extra-curricular activities
• University accommodation
• Living expenses

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is managed by 12 trustees with the following composition:

• 4 Co-opted Trustees
• 2 Representatives from The Heir at Law, Wingfield-Digby
• 2 Representatives from Warwickshire County Council (including Councillor Scott Cameron)
• 2 Representatives from North Warwickshire Borough Council
• 2 Representatives from Coleshill Town Council

The Wingfield-Digby family maintains a hereditary role in governance, reflecting historical connections to the Coleshill area.

Legacy of Lady Plumb: Lady Plumb served as a trustee for over 40 years, and the annual Lady Plumb Award was established to honor “her service and her dedication to helping raise the educational outcomes for local young people.”

No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Individual Grants:

1. Payment is made on evidence of expenditure - applicants must provide receipts, order confirmations, or booking forms to the Clerk for reimbursement

For School Grants:

Contact the Clerk to discuss funding for exceptional and unusual provisions for teaching and learning.

Applications are considered on a rolling basis - there are no fixed deadlines.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly specified. Applicants should contact the Clerk for current processing times.

Success Rates

The Trust does not publish success rates or application statistics. Each application is considered on its own merit with no guarantee of funding. The website states that “all applications are considered on their merit” and evaluated based on educational impact against long-term aspirations and goals.

Reapplication Policy

There is no limit on the number of applications an individual can make. However, each application is considered independently on its own merit.

Application Success Factors

Financial Need Demonstration

The Trust requires applicants to demonstrate financial need, stating: “It is for the applicant to demonstrate why they consider themselves to be in financial need.” Applicants may not necessarily be in receipt of state benefits - other factors such as illness, unemployment, or struggling with day-to-day living expenses can create qualifying financial need.

Educational Merit

Applications are evaluated on their “educational merit to the beneficiaries” and impact against long-term aspirations and goals. The charity must carefully consider how each application meets its educational advancement objectives.

Partial Funding Approach

The Trust frequently provides partial rather than full funding. Applicants should be prepared for partial support rather than expecting full coverage of costs.

Reimbursement Model

Successful applicants must incur expenditure first and then provide evidence (receipts, confirmations, booking forms) to receive reimbursement via cheque from the Clerk.

Lady Plumb Award Nominations

Recent winners include:

• Mollie Read (2018): Recognized for dedication to voluntary work supporting the homeless in Birmingham City Centre
• Olivia May Street (2017): Recognized for sporting achievements in double mini-trampolining

These examples demonstrate the Trust values both community service and exceptional achievement across diverse activities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic specificity is essential: Confirm eligibility through either residence in qualifying parishes OR attendance at Coleshill Cluster schools before applying
• Financial need must be demonstrated: Be prepared to explain your specific circumstances - you don't need to be receiving benefits, but must show genuine financial difficulty
• Educational merit drives decisions: Clearly articulate how the funding will support educational advancement and long-term aspirations
• Think reimbursement, not advance funding: You must incur costs first and provide receipts - ensure you can manage cash flow accordingly
• Partial funding is common: Don't assume full coverage; be prepared to fund part of the expense yourself or seek complementary funding
• Multiple applications allowed: If unsuccessful or if new needs arise, you can reapply - each application is judged independently
• Schools have direct access: Schools in the Coleshill Cluster can apply for institutional grants for exceptional teaching and learning provisions

References

1. Coleshill Grammar School Trust website - About Us page (https://www.coleshillgst.org.uk/about-us) -
2. Coleshill Grammar School Trust website - Individual Applications page (https://www.coleshillgst.org.uk/individual-applications) -
3. UK Charity Commission Register - Charity 528750 (https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/528750) -
4. Coleshill Grammar School Trust website - Lady Plumb Award 2019 (https://www.coleshillgst.org.uk/trust-news/lady-plumb-award-2019) -
5. Warwickshire County Council - Contact details for Coleshill Grammar School Endowment Foundation (https://democracy.warwickshire.gov.uk/mgCommitteeMailingList.aspx?ID=210) -