Risley Educational Foundation

Quick Stats

• Charity Number: 702720
• Annual Income: £85,607 (year ending 31 March 2025)
• Annual Expenditure: £81,833 (year ending 31 March 2025)
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: Specific parishes in Derbyshire (Breaston, Church Wilne, Dale Abbey, Draycott, Hopwell, Risley, Sandiacre, Stanton by Dale)
• Established: Origins dating to 1593; registered as charity 30 March 1990

Contact Details

Address: 5 Manor Court, Breaston, Derby, DE72 3AW

Phone: 01332 873256

Email: elaine-warren@hotmail.co.uk

Charity Commission: Register entry 702720

Overview

The Risley Educational Foundation is a historic educational charity with origins dating back to 1593 when Katharine Willoughby bequeathed £100 in her will to establish a grammar school in Risley for teaching children freely without payment. The legacy was further enhanced in 1720 when Dame Elizabeth Grey provided £200 for a school mistress to teach girls of Risley and neighbouring parishes.

Formally registered as a charity on 30 March 1990, the foundation operates under a scheme dated 3 March 1981 as amended 6 May 1994. Today, the foundation continues this centuries-old commitment to education by providing grants to both individual students and schools within eight specified parishes in Derbyshire. With an annual income of approximately £85,000, the foundation supports students pursuing further and higher education while also providing benefits to schools in the area. The charity is governed by 10 trustees and maintains strong connections with local parish councils who help promote grant opportunities to eligible residents.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Risley Educational Foundation operates two main grant streams:

Individual Student Grants

• Available to residents aged 18-25 attending university or college
• Support for degree courses and alternative educational study courses
• Grants are not means-tested
• Covers assistance with books, equipment, and educational expenses

Schools Support

• Provides donations and special benefits to schools within the area of benefit
• Recent beneficiaries include Risley Lower Grammar School
• Supports school funds that directly benefit children

Priority Areas

The foundation's charitable objectives encompass:

1. Further Education Support: Grants for students pursuing higher education, including university and college courses
2. Educational Resources: Assistance with purchase of books, equipment, and study materials
3. Educational Travel: Support for travel related to educational purposes
4. Music and Arts Education: Help with study of music and other arts
5. Social and Physical Training: Promoting social and physical development
6. Church of England Education: Promoting instruction in Church of England doctrines
7. School Benefits: Provision of special benefits for schools within the area

Geographic Eligibility

Grants are strictly limited to residents of the following parishes in Derbyshire:

• Breaston
• Church Wilne
• Dale Abbey
• Draycott
• Hopwell
• Risley
• Sandiacre
• Stanton by Dale

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's focus is clearly on:

• Geographic restriction: Only the eight specified parishes are eligible
• Age limitation for student grants: Individual grants appear targeted at those aged 18-25
• Educational focus: Grants must relate to education, training, or schools

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The foundation is governed by 10 trustees (as of February 2026):

1. Dr Roger Walton Jones - Chair (appointed 1 June 2018)
2. Russell Beeching - Trustee (appointed 10 December 2024)
3. Rev Gary Walter Dundas - Trustee (appointed 8 September 2024)
4. Martin Wilson - Trustee (appointed 10 March 2024)
5. Patricia Mary Ancliff - Trustee (appointed 5 December 2022)
6. Wayne Stephen Major - Trustee (appointed 8 March 2022)
7. Rev Philip James Selby - Trustee (appointed 11 September 2019)
8. Paul Harvey - Trustee (appointed 1 June 2018)
9. Rev Olaf Trelenberg - Trustee (appointed 1 April 2013)
10. Mark O'Neill - Trustee

Governance Policies

The foundation maintains:

• Financial controls and risk management procedures
• Conflict of interest policies
• No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits
• No employees with benefits over £60,000

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Risley Educational Foundation does not appear to operate a centralized online application portal. Instead, application information and forms are distributed through the local parish councils serving the eligible areas.

For Individual Student Grants:

• Information about grant availability is posted on parish council websites and notice boards
• Application materials can be obtained through local parish councils including:
• Breaston Parish Council
• Sandiacre Parish Council
• Draycott & Church Wilne Parish Council
• Stanton by Dale Parish Council
• Risley with Hopwell Parish Council

Contact Methods:

• Email: elaine-warren@hotmail.co.uk
• Phone: 01332 873256
• Contact your local parish council for application forms

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented. Applicants should contact the foundation directly for information about when decisions are typically made.

Success Rates

Success rates and application volumes are not publicly disclosed. The foundation's annual expenditure of approximately £81,833 suggests a modest but meaningful grant-making capacity relative to the specific geographic area served.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Interested applicants should contact the foundation directly.

Application Success Factors

Key Alignment Factors

Geographic Connection is Critical

• Applicants must be residents of one of the eight specified parishes
• The foundation has maintained this geographic focus for over 400 years, reflecting its historical roots

Age Eligibility for Student Grants

• Individual grants appear to target students aged 18-25
• This suggests a focus on supporting young people transitioning to higher education

Non-Means-Tested Approach

• Grants are available regardless of financial circumstances
• Focus appears to be on supporting educational attainment rather than addressing financial hardship

Historical Educational Mission

• The foundation's origins lie in providing free education to local children
• Modern grant-making continues this commitment to educational access and opportunity

Process Tips

1. Work Through Parish Councils: The foundation operates closely with local parish councils - check their websites and notice boards for application information
2. Direct Contact: With no online portal, direct communication via email or phone is likely necessary
3. Documentation: Be prepared to demonstrate residency in one of the eligible parishes
4. Educational Purpose: Clearly articulate how the grant will support educational goals

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic restriction is absolute - only residents of the eight specified Derbyshire parishes are eligible; do not apply if you are outside this area
• Historic legacy provides stability - with over 400 years of educational support, this is a well-established funder with enduring commitment
• Dual focus on individuals and institutions - both students and schools can benefit, suggesting flexibility in grant-making
• Non-means-tested grants - eligibility is based on geography and educational purpose, not financial need
• Parish councils are key intermediaries - build connections with your local parish council to access application information
• Modest but meaningful support - with annual giving around £81,000 across eight parishes, grants are likely modest but can help with books, equipment, and educational expenses
• Contact is straightforward - small foundation with accessible trustees; direct contact via email or phone is appropriate

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Sebright's Educational Foundation
• The Wrexham (Parochial) Educational Foundation
• Marjorie Lipman Foundation
• The Rugeley Educational Endowment
• Nicholas Chamberlaine's School Foundation
• Carters Educational Foundation
• Sheffield Grammar School Exhibition Foundation
• Lady Elizabeth Hastings' Estate Charity
• Needham's Foundation
• Sir Francis Nethersole's School Foundation

References

• UK Charity Commission Register of Charities, Risley Educational Foundation (702720): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/702720
• Breaston Parish Council - Risley Educational Foundation page: https://www.breastonparishcouncil.gov.uk/risley-educational-foundation/
• Draycott & Church Wilne Parish Council - Risley Educational Foundation page: https://www.draycott-pc.gov.uk/risley-educational-foundation/
• Risley with Hopwell Parish Council - Village History: https://www.risleywithhopwellparishcouncil.org.uk/village-history
• GENUKI: Risley, Derbyshire, historical information: https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/DBY/Risley
• Risley Lower Grammar School - School Fund information: https://www.risley.derbyshire.sch.uk/info-1/school-fund