Roy Woodward Educational Foundation

Quick Stats

• Charity Number: 1087756
• Annual Income: £64,323 (FY 2025)
• Annual Expenditure: £52,291 (FY 2025)
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified (individual student grants and institutional grants)
• Geographic Focus: Kidderminster, Worcestershire (King Charles I School community)
• Eligibility: Highly restricted - current and former pupils of King Charles I School only
• Application Deadline: 30th September (autumn term processing) or 31st January (spring term processing)

Contact Details

Address: Adam House, Birmingham Road, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY10 2SH

Phone: 01562 820181

Email: rachel.summers@mfgsolicitors.com

Clerk: Rachel Summers, Legal Director at MFG Solicitors

School Portal: Applications accessed via King Charles I School website: www.kingcharlesschool.co.uk/parents-carers-and-students/information/scholarships-and-grants/

Overview

The Roy Woodward Educational Foundation was established in 1979 by Declaration of Trust and formally registered as a charity on 30 July 2001. The foundation was set up through the will of Roy Woodward, an “old boy” of King Charles I School in Kidderminster who remained interested in the school's welfare throughout his life. He left a substantial capital sum which has been invested to generate approximately £60,000-£64,000 of annual income for the school and its pupils.

The foundation operates with a dual purpose: providing grants to King Charles I School for special equipment, facilities, and benefits not normally met by the local education authority, and supporting current and former pupils with their educational endeavours in further and higher education. With six trustees overseeing its operations and annual expenditure of approximately £52,291, the foundation represents a significant ongoing legacy supporting educational excellence in Kidderminster.

The foundation works closely with King Charles I School and is represented in the school's governance structure through a nominated governor position. It has established robust financial controls, risk management policies, and safeguarding procedures.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. School Equipment and Facilities Grants

• Funding for special benefits, facilities, and equipment for King Charles I School pupils
• Items not normally provided by the local education authority
• Buildings and facilities support
• Amount: Variable based on school needs

2. Student Education Grants

• Annual grants for current and former pupils in further and higher education
• Applications accepted annually while students remain in post-secondary education
• Can reapply in subsequent years during education
• Amount: Not publicly specified; described as supporting “day-to-day expenditure” and studies

3. Scholarships and Support

• Exhibitions, scholarships, and bursaries for colleges of education
• Maintenance allowances to enable beneficiaries to pursue and continue education
• Educational travel support (home or abroad)
• Support tenable at technical or physical education institutions

Priority Areas

Educational Support Focus:

• Further education (post-16) support
• Higher education (university) support
• Educational equipment and resources for the school
• Student maintenance and living costs during studies
• Educational travel opportunities
• Special facilities for pupils

Beneficiary Focus:

• Current pupils of King Charles I School
• Former pupils (alumni) of King Charles I School
• The school itself as an institution

What They Don't Fund

Absolute Exclusions:

• Individuals with no connection to King Charles I School
• Pupils or former pupils of other schools
• Organizations other than King Charles I School
• Retrospective funding for education already completed
• The foundation does not accept applications from the general public

Note: This is one of the most restrictive UK educational foundations, exclusively serving the King Charles I School community in Kidderminster.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (6 total)

1. Dr Nigel A Geary - Trustee
2. Timothy Gulliver - Trustee
3. Louise Rose Heath - Trustee
4. Joel Alan Douglas - Trustee
5. Stephen John Wyer - Trustee
6. Lucille Glencairn Campbell - Trustee

Historical Leadership:

• John Booth - Former Chairman for fifteen years from 1998 to 2013 (deceased 2015); also served as trustee of King Charles I School Foundation

School Governance Connection:

• Mrs Fran Oborski - Vice Chair of Local Governors at King Charles I School, nominated by the Roy Woodward Educational Foundation

Administration:

• Rachel Summers - Clerk to the foundation; Legal Director at MFG Solicitors since 1984
• Also serves as clerk for the Helen Rachael Mackaness Trust and Norman Dawson Trust

Trustee Remuneration: No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Governing Document: Declaration of Trust dated 2 March 1979 (with scheme of 18 August 1986)

Relationship with King Charles the First's School Foundation: Some trustees are appointed by the King Charles the First's School Foundation (charity 527596), reflecting the close governance relationship between these educational charities.

How to Apply to Roy Woodward Educational Foundation

How to Apply

For Current and Former Pupils:

1. Access Application Form: Download the Roy Woodward Educational Foundation Trust Grant Application Form from King Charles I School website at www.kingcharlesschool.co.uk/parents-carers-and-students/information/scholarships-and-grants/

1. Eligibility: Must be a current or former pupil of King Charles I School Kidderminster

1. When to Apply: Students can apply annually whilst in further and higher education and may reapply in subsequent years

• Applications received by 30th September: Processed during autumn term
• Applications received after 30th September but before 31st January: Processed during spring term

1. Submit Application: Complete form and submit according to instructions on the school website

For School Equipment/Facilities Grants:

Applications from King Charles I School for equipment, facilities, or special benefits would be made through the school's administration directly to the trustees. This process is not publicly documented as it is an institutional arrangement.

Contact for Queries:

• Rachel Summers (Clerk): rachel.summers@mfgsolicitors.com or 01562 820181
• King Charles I School administration for application form assistance

Decision Timeline

• Autumn Term Applications (deadline 30 September): Processed and decided during autumn term (typically September-December)
• Spring Term Applications (deadline 31 January): Processed and decided during spring term (typically January-March/April)
• Specific decision timeframes (weeks from submission to notification) are not publicly documented
• Students receive support throughout their further/higher education, suggesting decisions accommodate academic year timelines

Reapplication Policy

Permitted and Encouraged: Students may reapply in subsequent years during their education. The foundation explicitly states that current and former pupils “can apply annually...whilst in further and higher education,” indicating that successful applicants can and should reapply for continued support throughout their studies.

There is no documented restriction on reapplication after an unsuccessful application, though students would need to remain in further or higher education to be eligible.

Application Success Factors

Eligibility is Primary: The most critical success factor is being a current or former pupil of King Charles I School. Without this connection, applications cannot be considered.

Key Success Factors Based on Foundation's Purpose:

1. Demonstrated Educational Need: The foundation exists to support educational purposes not normally met by local authorities, suggesting applications should demonstrate genuine financial need for educational advancement

1. Active Pursuit of Education: Grants are specifically for those “whilst in further and higher education,” indicating applicants must be actively enrolled in post-secondary education

1. Clear Educational Purpose: Applications should articulate how the grant will support educational goals, whether for maintenance, course costs, educational materials, or travel

1. Timely Submission: Meeting the 30th September or 31st January deadlines ensures processing in the appropriate term

1. Connection to Roy Woodward's Legacy: While not explicitly stated, understanding that Roy Woodward was an old boy who remained committed to the school's welfare may inform applications that demonstrate commitment to educational excellence and the school's values

1. Annual Reapplication: The foundation expects students to reapply annually, suggesting comprehensive documentation of ongoing educational progress and continued need would be beneficial

Processing Through School: Since applications are processed through King Charles I School's scholarship and grants framework, maintaining good standing with the school and following their administrative procedures is essential.

Foundation's Focus on Access: The foundation's stated purpose to provide “special benefits...not usually provided by local education authority” suggests it aims to remove barriers to educational opportunity, meaning applications highlighting how funding enables access to education otherwise unavailable would align with the foundation's mission.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Highly Restricted Eligibility: This foundation exclusively serves current and former pupils of King Charles I School, Kidderminster. Do not apply if you have no connection to this specific school.

1. Two Clear Deadlines: Submit by 30th September for autumn term processing or by 31st January for spring term processing. Plan applications around these dates.

1. Renewable Support: Students can and should reapply annually throughout their further and higher education, making this a potential source of multi-year support.

1. Historical Commitment: Roy Woodward's legacy of £60,000+ annual income demonstrates substantial, ongoing support for the school and its students - this is a well-resourced foundation for its focused purpose.

1. School-Mediated Process: Applications go through King Charles I School's scholarship framework, so engage with school administration for guidance and ensure you access the correct application form from the school website.

1. Dual Focus: The foundation supports both the school as an institution and individual students, meaning it has significant ongoing resources despite individual grant amounts not being publicly specified.

1. Professional Administration: With Rachel Summers of MFG Solicitors serving as clerk and six active trustees, the foundation has professional governance and administration, suggesting applications should be thorough and well-documented.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Educational Foundation Of Robert Oldfield
• Kettering Old Grammar School Foundation
• James Marshall Foundation Cio
• The Aldgate And Allhallows Foundation
• Yardley Educational Foundation
• Isleworth Blue School Educational Foundation
• The Lytham Schools Foundation
• The Ewelme Exhibition Foundation
• Needham's Foundation
• The City And Diocese Of London Voluntary Schools Fund

References

• UK Charity Commission Register of Charities. “Roy Woodward Educational Foundation - Charity Number 1087756.” https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/3981949

• UK Charity Commission Register of Charities. “Roy Woodward Educational Foundation - Full Details.” https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3981949/full-print

• King Charles I School. “Scholarships and Grants.” https://www.kingcharlesschool.co.uk/parents-carers-and-students/information/scholarships-and-grants/

• King Charles I School. “Local Governors of King Charles I School.” https://www.kingcharlesschool.co.uk/index.php/governance/governors-of-king-charles-i-school

• MFG Solicitors. “Rachel Summers - Legal Director Profile.” https://www.mfgsolicitors.com/site/people/profile/rachel.summers

• UK Charity Commission Register of Charities. "King Charles the First's School Foundation - Charity Number 527596." https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/527596/full-print

• Old Carolians Association. “John Booth Obituary.” https://www.oldcarolians.org.uk/news/2015/oct/john-booth/