Keswick Hall Charity

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £112,183 (2024)
• Annual Income: £130,392 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: East of England
• Charity Number: 311246

Contact Details

Address: Keswick Hall Charity, Lovewell Blake LLP, Bankside, 300 Peachman Way, Broadland Business Park, Norwich NR7 0LB

Phone: 07760433409

Email: admin@keswickhalltrust.org.uk

Website: www.keswickhalltrust.org.uk

Secretary: Mrs Philippa Pearson

Overview

Keswick Hall Charity was established in 1981 following the closure of Keswick Hall College of Education in Norwich. When the college was sold that year, the College Governors received one-third of the valuation amount, and after repaying loans to central Church funds, the remainder became the capital of the Keswick Hall Charity. The charity has the stated object of advancing for the public benefit education in any part of the world where the Church of England may be at work, including by promoting, encouraging and supporting religious education in educational institutions, including the training of ministers of religion.

With an annual expenditure of £112,183 (year ending 31 March 2024), the charity is dedicated to advancing the understanding and knowledge of religious education by promoting and supporting students, teachers, researchers and charitable institutions engaged in the teaching of religious education at all levels - primary, secondary, further and higher education. The charity is a member organization of the Religious Education Council of England and Wales, demonstrating its commitment to the broader RE sector.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The charity operates on a biannual application cycle with two deadlines per year:

• 31 January deadline - for consideration in spring trustee meetings
• 30 September deadline - for consideration in autumn trustee meetings

Applications are submitted via an online form available on their grants page.

Priority Areas

What They Fund:

• Teacher training and professional development in religious education
• Resources and materials for teachers of religious education
• Support for bodies and organizations concerned with RE
• Research and development projects in religious education with practical classroom outcomes
• Grants to enable charities to provide resources for young people to advance religious education understanding
• Support for individuals taking RE courses (organizational grants only - no individual applicants)

Key Focus: The charity emphasizes enhancing teaching in schools through greater knowledge of the teacher rather than provision of physical resources. Their approach is to enable teaching to be enhanced through professional development and teacher education.

Inclusivity: Help is available to teachers from whatever religious background, and to schools of all types - not just Church of England schools - and regardless of their financial means.

What They Don't Fund

• Individual applicants (only organizations can apply)
• Physical resources and materials as primary focus
• Projects outside the East of England region
• Organizations not engaged in religious education

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Governance and Leadership

The charity operates with a board of 10 trustees who serve without remuneration, payments or benefits. The Managing Trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit in The Advancement of Religion for the Public Benefit.

The charity's administration is handled through Lovewell Blake LLP in Norwich, with Mrs Philippa Pearson serving as Secretary to the Charity.

Given the charity's origins in Keswick Hall College and its connection to the Church of England, the governance structure likely includes representation with links to religious education and the diocesan network, though specific trustee names are not publicly disclosed in readily available sources.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted via an online form available on the charity's grants page at www.keswickhalltrust.org.uk/grants/. The form is sent directly to the trustees for consideration.

Decision Timeline

The charity operates on a biannual cycle with two application deadlines:

• 31 January - Applications received by this date are considered at the spring trustee meeting
• 30 September - Applications received by this date are considered at the autumn trustee meeting

Specific decision timelines after each deadline are not publicly disclosed, though applicants can expect decisions following the relevant trustee meeting.

Success Rates

Success rates and competitiveness data are not publicly available. The charity had total expenditure of £112,183 in the year ending 31 March 2024, which provides an indication of their annual grant-making capacity.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Applicants are advised to contact the charity directly for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Based on the charity's stated priorities and approach, successful applications likely demonstrate:

1. Focus on Teacher Knowledge: The charity explicitly states that grants are “to enable teaching in schools to be enhanced through greater knowledge of the teacher rather than in the provision of physical resources.” Applications should emphasize professional development, training, and educational advancement for teachers.

1. Religious Education Advancement: Clear demonstration of how the project will advance understanding and knowledge of religious education at any level - primary, secondary, further, or higher education.

1. Practical Classroom Outcomes: For research projects, the charity prioritizes work with “practical classroom outcomes” that will directly benefit teaching practice.

1. Geographic Eligibility: Projects must benefit the East of England region, as this is the stated geographical area of benefit.

1. Organizational Status: Only corporate bodies and organizations can apply - the charity does not provide grants to individuals.

1. Multi-faith Approach: While the charity has Church of England origins, they explicitly welcome applications supporting teachers “from whatever religious background, and to schools, not just Church of England schools.”

1. Financial Need: The charity states help is available “regardless of their financial means,” suggesting they are not solely focused on organizations lacking other funding sources.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Teacher-Centered Focus: Frame applications around teacher development and professional learning rather than physical resources or equipment
• Biannual Deadlines: Plan ahead for either the 31 January or 30 September deadline
• East of England Only: Ensure your project clearly benefits this geographic region
• Organizations Only: Individual teachers cannot apply; applications must come from schools, universities, charities, or other corporate bodies
• Practical Application: Emphasize how the work will have direct classroom impact and enhance teaching practice
• Multi-faith Welcome: Don't assume you need Church of England affiliation - the charity explicitly supports RE teachers of all religious backgrounds
• Online Application: Use the online form at www.keswickhalltrust.org.uk/grants/ rather than postal applications
• Limited Public Information: With limited public data on grant amounts and success rates, consider contacting Mrs Philippa Pearson at admin@keswickhalltrust.org.uk for preliminary guidance

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Culham St Gabriel's Trust
• St Christopher's Educational Trust (Incorporating the Hughes and Stevens Bequest)
• ST LUKES COLLEGE FOUNDATION
• The All Saints Educational Trust
• Sarum St Michael Educational Charity
• The Farmington Trust Limited
• CHILDS CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Danson Foundation
• THE BISHOP RADFORD TRUST
• The Bowland Charitable Trust

References

• Charity Commission Register: Keswick Hall Charity (311246), https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-details/311246, accessed 27 January 2026
• Keswick Hall Charity Official Website: https://www.keswickhalltrust.org.uk/, accessed 27 January 2026
• Keswick Hall Charity Grants Page: https://www.keswickhalltrust.org.uk/grants/, accessed 27 January 2026
• Religious Education Council Member Profile: Keswick Hall Trust, https://religiouseducationcouncil.org.uk/member/keswick-hall-trust/, accessed 27 January 2026
• Norfolk Record Office: Education in Norfolk - Voluntary organisations and schools, https://www.archives.norfolk.gov.uk/31214, accessed 27 January 2026