Sarum St Michael Educational Charity

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ~£227,000 (2024 expenditure)
• Grant Range: £50 - £2,500 (£3,000 for RE Teacher Retention Bonus)
• Decision Time: 4-8 weeks (Governors meet quarterly)
• Geographic Focus: Diocese of Salisbury and adjacent dioceses (Bath & Wells, Bristol, Exeter, Oxford, Winchester)
• Application Method: Fixed deadlines aligned with quarterly Governor meetings

Contact Details

• Website: www.sarumstmichael.org
• Email: clerk@sarumstmichael.org
• Phone: 01722 422296 (Monday-Wednesday mornings)
• Address: Room 2, Suite 1, Cross Keys House, 22 Queen Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 1EY

Overview

The Sarum St Michael Educational Charity was established in 1980 following the closure of the College of Sarum St Michael, an Anglican teacher training college in Salisbury that operated from 1841 until its closure in 1978/79. The college was one of twelve Anglican colleges of education closed during the 1970s. The charity was formed to continue the college's legacy by “furthering religious education” in accordance with the principles and doctrines of the Church of England.

With an annual income of approximately £193,000 and expenditure around £227,000 (2024 figures), the charity awards grants to individuals pursuing careers in religious education teaching or ministry, as well as to schools, parishes, and other organisations supporting RE provision. The charity is governed by a Scheme of 24 January 1980, subsequently amended in 2004 and 2025, and is overseen by 13 trustees including the Bishop of Salisbury, the Dean of Salisbury Cathedral, and representatives from the Diocesan Board of Education.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

For Individuals:

• £1,000 per year for undergraduate degree (up to 4 years maximum)
• £2,500 for PGCE or other non-salaried initial teacher training
• £3,000 RE Teacher Retention Bonus for qualifying teachers

• University access courses
• Vocational training in service professions
• Clergy development
• Gap year projects with educational focus

For Organisations:

• Schools: Resources for teaching Religious Education (£50 - £2,500)
• Parishes: Books and equipment for Sunday schools, youth clubs, and faith education (£50 - £2,500)
• Other Organisations: Not-for-profit bodies delivering faith and worldview projects

Priority Areas

• Training and development of Religious Education teachers
• Supporting individuals pursuing further education (particularly those ineligible for student loans)
• Providing educational resources for RE in schools
• Supporting parish-based faith education programmes
• Research and scholarly work advancing the RE field
• Training for those pursuing ministry

What They Don't Fund

• Retrospective applications (for courses/projects that have already commenced)
• Building maintenance, fixtures, or fittings for schools or churches
• Applicants outside the geographic area (Salisbury Diocese and adjacent dioceses)
• Applicants under 18 years of age
• Applications without appropriate references

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Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by 13 trustees who receive no remuneration. The governance structure is defined by the charity's Scheme, which specifies that Governors include:

• The Bishop of Salisbury
• The Dean of Salisbury Cathedral
• The Salisbury Diocesan Director of Education
• The Chapter Clerk of Salisbury Cathedral
• The Salisbury Diocesan Secretary
• Persons appointed by the Salisbury Diocesan Synod and Board of Education

Current Trustees include:

• Rt Revd Stephen David Lake - Bishop of Salisbury (appointed 2022), Chair of Church Commissioners since 2024
• The Very Rev Nicholas Charles Papadopulos - Dean of Salisbury Cathedral (appointed 2018)
• Katie Fitzsimmons (appointed 2023)
• Rev Angus John Mayhew
• Professor Elizabeth Stuart MBE
• Mary Rose Wareham
• Graham Courtney George Light
• Tom Almond
• Diane Christine Wood
• Jonathan Leigh
• David Christopher Pain
• Mrs J Molnar
• Jennifer Ann Pitcher MED

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted via online forms available on the charity's website:

• RE Teacher Bursary Application Form - for applicants still at school
• Personal Application Form - for other individual applicants
• Organisation Grants Form - for schools, parishes, and other organisations

Eligibility Requirements

For Individuals (all five criteria must be met):

1. Resident in Salisbury Diocese or neighbouring dioceses (Bath & Wells, Bristol, Exeter, Oxford, Winchester)
2. Aged 18 or older
3. Studies/project planned for a future date
4. Course aligns with the charity's mission and core objectives
5. Two references required: one personal (non-relative) and one professional/academic

For Organisations (all three criteria must be met):

1. Operate within the Diocese of Salisbury (note: this is stricter than individual eligibility)
2. Project scheduled for a future date
3. Work supports the charity's mission and core objectives

Decision Timeline

The Board of Governors meets four times per year to consider applications. Typical meeting schedule:

• February meeting (January deadline)
• June meeting (May deadline)
• September meeting (August deadline)
• November meeting (October deadline)

Meeting dates for each year are set at the end of the preceding year - applicants should check the website for current dates.

Important: Initial payments are made on proof of a place offered. RE Bursary applicants require one reference from their higher education institution. RE Teacher Retention Bonus applicants require one reference from their Head Teacher.

Reapplication Policy

Applicants need not wait until the deadline immediately preceding their course or project start date - applications can be submitted ahead of time. However, retrospective applications (for activities already commenced) are not accepted.

Application Success Factors

Based on the charity's stated criteria and mission:

1. Demonstrate alignment with Church of England principles: The charity's objects specify education “in accordance with the principles and doctrines of the Church of England”

1. Show clear connection to Religious Education: Applications with a direct link to RE teaching, faith education, or ministry are prioritised

1. Provide strong references: All applications require appropriate references - ensure your referees can speak specifically to your suitability for the funding purpose

1. Plan ahead: Submit applications well in advance as retrospective funding is not available. The charity explicitly notes applicants “need not wait to apply until the deadline immediately preceding” their start date

1. Be specific about how funds will be used: Organisation grants require clear project descriptions showing how funds will enhance RE or deliver faith/worldview programmes

1. Understand geographic eligibility: Individual applicants can be from a wider area (including adjacent dioceses), but schools and parishes must be within the Diocese of Salisbury

1. Contact the clerk if uncertain: The charity encourages potential applicants to contact them before applying if unsure about eligibility

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Niche focus: This is a specialist funder for Religious Education - applications must have a clear RE or faith education component
• Geographic restrictions: Schools and parishes must be within Salisbury Diocese; individuals have slightly broader eligibility across adjacent dioceses
• Structured RE Teacher support: The RE Teacher Bursary Scheme offers sustained support through undergraduate, PGCE, and into early career (retention bonus)
• Modest grant sizes: Maximum £2,500 (£3,000 for retention bonus) - suitable for supplementary funding rather than major project costs
• Quarterly decision cycle: Plan applications around the four annual meeting dates - check the website for current deadlines
• No retrospective funding: All applications must be for future activities
• Anglican ethos: The charity operates in accordance with Church of England principles - applicants should be comfortable with this context
• Direct contact encouraged: The clerk is available Monday-Wednesday mornings to answer eligibility questions before application

References

• Sarum St Michael Educational Charity - Official Website
• Charity Commission Register - Charity 309456
• Diocese of Salisbury - RE Trusts & Grants
• Sarum St Michael Educational Charity - Personal Grants Page
• Sarum St Michael Educational Charity - Organisation Grants Page
• Sarum St Michael Educational Charity - About/Mission Page
• Religious Education Council - Member Profile

Information compiled December 2025