Sebright's Educational Foundation
Charity Number: 527523
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £202,541 (2024)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Not publicly specified
- Grant Range: Not publicly specified (small grants for education expenses)
- Geographic Focus: Wyre Forest area and parts of Dudley Metropolitan Borough, Worcestershire
- Age Limit: 24 and under (for individual grants)
Contact Details
- Website: www.sebrights.org.uk
- Email: clerk@sebrights.org.uk
- Phone: 01562 820181
- Address: Leywood 4 Wyre Mill Lane, Wolverley, Worcestershire DY11 5TR
Overview
Sebright's Educational Foundation is one of England's oldest educational charities, established by William Sebright's will in 1620. Between 1590 and 1593, William Sebright acquired twenty acres of land in Bethnal Green, which became the endowment for the foundation. The charity operates in the ancient parish of Wolverley and surrounding areas in Worcestershire, with an annual expenditure of approximately £202,541. The foundation serves a dual purpose: providing capital grants and support to local schools (particularly Wolverley Sebright Primary Academy and Cookley Sebright Primary School) while also offering individual grants to young people aged 24 and under for educational and training purposes. Governed by 11 unpaid trustees, the foundation continues to fulfill its historic mission of supporting education in the local community. The charity focuses on providing practical financial assistance for educational expenses that would otherwise create barriers to learning.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
Individual Student Grants (Amount not publicly specified)
- For young people aged 24 and under living within the designated areas of benefit
- Covers books, tools, special equipment, software, field trips
- May assist with course fees and rail/bus travel costs
- Available for post-16 education, university, and master's degrees
- Support for music, sport, or art-related educational activities
- Laptop provision scheme for students
- Application method: Online application form via website (rolling basis)
Capital Grants to Schools (Amount not publicly specified)
- For schools in the areas of benefit
- Application deadline: End of April for consideration by end of July
- Supports extraordinary repairs, additions, or improvements
- Provides special benefits and equipment not normally funded by the Local Education Authority
Bursaries for School Fees (Amount not publicly specified)
- Assists with payment of school fees for eligible students
- Subject to financial need assessment
Priority Areas
- Post-16 Education: Support for books, equipment, software, field trips, and may help with course fees and transport
- University Students: Assistance with books, tools, special equipment, software, field trips, and electives
- Master's Degrees: Grants towards course fees and may offer interest-free loans
- Vocational Training: Support for apprentices and those in vocational education
- Creative and Athletic Development: Assistance with costs of special clothing, equipment, or fees for music, sport, or art activities
- School Infrastructure: Capital improvements and equipment for local schools
Geographic Eligibility
The foundation serves residents in the “areas of benefit” which include:
- Most of the Wyre Forest area (postcodes including DY10, DY11)
- Parts of the Dudley Metropolitan Borough (including DY5)
- The ancient parish of Wolverley and surrounding areas
- Specific areas are shown on the foundation's website
What They Don't Fund
- Applicants over 24 years of age (for individual grants)
- Those living outside the designated areas of benefit
- Retrospective costs (assumed but not explicitly stated)
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Governance and Leadership
The foundation is governed by 11 trustees who serve without remuneration, payments, or benefits. The charity has no employees earning over £60,000 and operates no trading subsidiaries. The trustees meet to consider applications and make grant decisions, with school applications being reviewed annually prior to the end of July. The foundation maintains its historic connection to the two Sebright schools while also supporting individual students throughout the wider benefit area.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
For Individual Students:
- Complete an application form available at www.sebrights.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant
- Provide details of financial need
- Submit an appropriate reference supporting the application
- Applications appear to be accepted on a rolling basis
For Schools:
- Schools in the areas of benefit are invited to apply
- Application deadline: End of April
- Consideration by trustees: Prior to end of July
Decision Timeline
Decision timeframes are not publicly specified. Schools applying by the end of April receive decisions before the end of July, suggesting approximately a 3-month window for institutional grants. Individual student grant timelines are not documented.
Success Rates
Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available. The foundation does not publish data on the number of applications received versus grants awarded.
Reapplication Policy
No information is publicly available regarding reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants.
Application Success Factors
While the foundation does not publish detailed guidance on what makes applications successful, research indicates the following factors are important:
Demonstrated Financial Need: The application process specifically requests details of financial need, indicating this is a key consideration. The foundation appears to focus on removing financial barriers to education.
Geographic Eligibility: Applicants must clearly demonstrate residence within the designated areas of benefit. This is a fundamental eligibility criterion.
Appropriate Reference: The foundation “generally requests an appropriate reference supporting the application,” suggesting that credible endorsement from an educator, employer, or other relevant professional is valued.
Age Requirement: For individual grants, being 24 or under is essential.
Educational Focus: Grants are specifically for educational purposes - books, equipment, course fees, and related expenses. Applications should clearly articulate how the grant will support educational progression.
Connection to Local Schools: For institutional grants, being a school within the areas of benefit is required, with a focus on Wolverley Sebright Primary Academy and Cookley Sebright Primary School.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Historic Local Charity: This is a 400-year-old foundation focused on a specific geographic area in Worcestershire - only apply if you or your organization are clearly within the areas of benefit (check the website for specific postcodes)
- Dual Purpose: The foundation supports both individual students (aged 24 and under) and local schools, so tailor your application to the appropriate grant stream
- Modest Practical Support: This is not a major funder - expect support for specific educational expenses like books, equipment, and course costs rather than large grants
- Financial Need Matters: Be prepared to clearly document financial need and provide a supporting reference from an appropriate source
- School Deadline: Educational institutions should note the end of April deadline for annual consideration
- Rolling for Individuals: Student and apprentice applications appear to be accepted throughout the year
- Limited Public Information: The foundation does not publish detailed grant amounts, success rates, or decision timelines - contact them directly for specific guidance on your situation
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