Nicholas Chamberlaine's School Foundation

Charity Number: 528672

Annual Expenditure: £0.4M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £434,049 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Decisions made between August-December for courses starting September/October
  • Grant Range: £750 per annum (up to 4 years for first degrees)
  • Geographic Focus: Former Bedworth Urban District Council area (includes Bulkington and parts of Exhall and Keresley), Warwickshire

Contact Details

Website: https://nicholaschamberlainetrusts.org.uk

Email: dcb@bandhattonbutton.com

Phone: 02476 237373

Application Method: Online via DocuSign system (accessed through the website)

Overview

Nicholas Chamberlaine's School Foundation (Charity No. 528672) was established through the will of Reverend Nicholas Chamberlaine in 1715, just three weeks before his death at age 83. The Foundation is one of two charities administered by the same body of Governors and Trustees (the other being the Hospital and Sermon Charity, No. 216930). With total income of £434,049 and expenditure of £944,446 in 2023, the Foundation serves the former Bedworth Urban District Council area in Warwickshire. Its primary mission is to support local young people pursuing further education, apprenticeships, and vocational qualifications, with an emphasis on courses focused on pastoral care and service to the community. The Foundation also provides grants to maintain its four foundation schools in good repair.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Educational Awards: £750 per annum

  • Available for first degree students (up to 4 years)
  • Also available for second degrees with emphasis on pastoral care and service to the community
  • Applications accepted August-December for courses starting September/October
  • Online application via DocuSign system

Apprenticeship Awards: £750 per annum

  • Support for young people beginning apprenticeships or vocational qualifications
  • Can cover costs of tools or equipment
  • Online application via DocuSign system
  • Rolling basis

School Maintenance Grants

  • Grants provided to the four Foundation schools for maintenance and repair
  • Not available to external applicants

Priority Areas

  • First degrees for local young people (up to 4 years of support)
  • Second degrees emphasizing pastoral care and service to the community
  • Apprenticeships and vocational qualifications
  • Cost of tools and equipment for vocational training
  • Students attending or having attended one of the four Foundation schools: All Saints CofE Academy & Nursery, St Michael's CofE Academy, The Canons CE Primary School, and Nicholas Chamberlaine School

What They Don't Fund

  • Applicants outside the former Bedworth Urban District Council area (unless attending/attended Foundation schools)
  • General living expenses beyond educational costs
  • Retrospective funding
  • Postgraduate degrees without pastoral care/community service emphasis
  • International students
  • Organizations or institutions (individual grants only)
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Governance and Leadership

The Foundation is administered by a body of Governors and Trustees who oversee both Nicholas Chamberlaine's School Foundation and the Hospital and Sermon Charity. The Trustees operate with a focus on Nicholas Chamberlaine's original vision of supporting education and welfare in the Bedworth community.

Administrative support is provided by Band Hatton Button, solicitors based in Coventry.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Educational Awards: Applications for courses beginning in September or October must be made from August to December of the same year using the online form accessed via the DocuSign system on the Foundation's website. A copy of the form is available on the website so applicants can review questions and required information before starting the application.

Apprenticeship Awards: Applications can be made using the online form accessed via the DocuSign system link on the Foundation's website.

Both application types require applicants to provide detailed information about their educational plans and demonstrate eligibility based on residential location or connection to Foundation schools.

Decision Timeline

Educational Awards: Applications reviewed and decisions made during the August-December application window for courses starting in September/October of the same year.

Apprenticeship Awards: Processed on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Notification method not specified in available sources.

Success Rates

Success rates and application numbers are not publicly disclosed by the Foundation.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Applicants should contact the Foundation directly via dcb@bandhattonbutton.com for guidance on reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's stated priorities and structure, applicants should consider:

Demonstrate Local Connection: Clearly establish that you live in the former Bedworth Urban District Council area (Bulkington, parts of Exhall and Keresley) or have attended one of the Foundation schools. This is a fundamental eligibility requirement.

Emphasize Community Service: For second degree applications, explicitly demonstrate how your course emphasizes “pastoral care and service to the community” - this is the key criterion for postgraduate support.

Timing is Critical: Submit educational award applications between August and December for courses starting in September/October. Don't miss this window as it appears to be fixed annually.

Be Specific About Costs: For apprenticeship and vocational qualifications, clearly itemize the costs of tools and equipment needed. The Trustees particularly want to help with these practical expenses.

Multi-Year Support: First degree applicants should understand that grants are available for up to 4 years, so you're potentially securing longer-term support rather than a one-off payment.

Foundation School Alumni: If you attended one of the Foundation schools, highlight this connection even if you live outside the immediate Bedworth area now.

Prepare Documentation: Review the DocuSign application form preview before completing your application so you have all necessary information ready.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic Restriction is Absolute: This is a highly localized charity serving only the former Bedworth Urban District Council area plus Foundation school students/alumni - don't apply if you don't meet this criterion.
  • Modest but Consistent Support: £750 per year is relatively modest but available annually for up to 4 years for first degrees, providing predictable long-term support.
  • Community Service Focus: Second degree applications must demonstrate emphasis on pastoral care and community service - this is non-negotiable for postgraduate support.
  • Fixed Application Window: Educational awards have a strict August-December application period for September/October starts - plan accordingly.
  • Vocational Support Available: The Foundation is particularly interested in supporting apprenticeships and vocational training, including practical costs like tools and equipment.
  • Historical Legacy: Understanding Nicholas Chamberlaine's 18th-century vision of supporting local young people may help frame your application in terms of continuing this legacy.
  • Limited Information Available: The Foundation maintains a relatively low profile with limited public information about success rates or decision criteria - direct contact may be beneficial for complex questions.

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