Sir Francis Nethersole's School Foundation
Charity Number: 528717
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Quick Stats
- Annual Income: £331,148 (2024)
- Annual Expenditure: £283,546 (2024)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Not publicly available
- Grant Range: Not publicly available
- Geographic Focus: Warwickshire (primarily Polesworth, Warton, and surrounding areas)
Contact Details
Phone: 01788 564680
Correspondence Address: The charity operates in Warwickshire with historical connections to Polesworth and Warton parishes.
Related Organizations: The foundation operates alongside the Sir Francis Nethersole Educational Foundation (charity 1184916) and the Ecclesiastical Charity of Sir Francis Nethersole, all stemming from the original 17th-century endowment.
Overview
Sir Francis Nethersole's School Foundation was originally established in 1655 when Sir Francis Nethersole founded a free school at Polesworth for “the children of the poorer sort.” The charity was formally registered with the Charity Commission on 19 August 1968, operating under a governing scheme dated 2 June 1906 (altered 24 September 1912). With an annual income of £331,148 and expenditure of £283,546, the foundation continues its historic mission of supporting education and religious activities in Warwickshire. The charity operates primarily through grant-making to organizations and by providing buildings, facilities, and open spaces. It serves both children/young people and elderly/old people in the local community. The foundation also operates under the working name “Sir Francis Nethersoles Charity” and owns and leases property as part of its charitable activities.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The foundation makes grants to organizations rather than individuals, focusing on educational and religious purposes in Warwickshire. Specific grant amounts and program details are not publicly available.
Related Foundation: The Sir Francis Nethersole Educational Foundation (charity 1184916, registered 2019) operates as a separate entity providing scholarships, maintenance allowances, and grants for students under 25 from Polesworth and Warton parishes attending universities, colleges, or institutions of higher/further education.
Priority Areas
- Education and Training: Supporting educational establishments and programs, particularly those serving the Polesworth and Warton areas
- Religious Activities: Supporting the spiritual life of the community
- Children and Young People: Educational support and development opportunities
- Elderly/Old People: Supporting older residents in the community
- Community Facilities: Providing and maintaining buildings, facilities, and open spaces
What They Don't Fund
Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, though the foundation's geographic focus is limited to Warwickshire, particularly the Polesworth and Warton areas.

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Governance and Leadership
Trustees
The foundation is governed by five trustees:
- Jane Bailey - Trustee (appointed 15 April 2018)
- David Charles Parsons - Trustee (appointed 01 January 2015)
- Mary Willis - Trustee
- Rev Philip Anthony Wells - Trustee
- David John Butcher - Trustee
No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. Several trustees are also involved with related Nethersole charities including the Sir Francis Nethersole Educational Foundation, the Ecclesiastical Charity of Sir Francis Nethersole, and the Nunnery Gateway Trust.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
This foundation does not have a public application process. Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees to organizations in Warwickshire that align with the foundation's charitable purposes. The foundation makes grants to organizations rather than accepting unsolicited applications.
For educational grants to individual students from Polesworth and Warton, the separate Sir Francis Nethersole Educational Foundation (charity 1184916) may be relevant, though application procedures for that entity are also not publicly documented.
Decision Timeline
Not publicly available. Decisions are made by the board of trustees.
Success Rates
Not publicly available.
Reapplication Policy
Not publicly available.
Application Success Factors
Given the absence of a public application process, organizations seeking support from this foundation would need to:
- Demonstrate local connection: The foundation's historic mission focuses on Polesworth, Warton, and the broader Warwickshire area
- Align with educational or religious purposes: These are the foundation's core charitable objects
- Serve target beneficiaries: Projects supporting children/young people or elderly/old people are within scope
- Build relationships with trustees: Given the discretionary nature of grant-making, having connections within the local community may be important
The foundation's 17th-century origins emphasize supporting “the children of the poorer sort,” suggesting a continued interest in addressing educational disadvantage and supporting those in need.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- No public application process: This foundation operates through trustee discretion rather than open applications
- Strong geographic focus: Priority is given to Warwickshire, particularly Polesworth and Warton parishes
- Dual focus: Education/training and religious activities are the primary areas of support
- Organizational grants: The foundation makes grants to organizations, not individuals
- Historic mission endures: The 370-year legacy of supporting disadvantaged children's education continues
- Multiple related charities: Be aware of the separate Sir Francis Nethersole Educational Foundation (1184916) for student scholarships
- Community-embedded: Trustees have connections to local organizations and churches
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References
- Charity Commission Register, "SIR FRANCIS NETHERSOLE'S SCHOOL FOUNDATION - 528717," https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=528717&subid=0, accessed 28 December 2025
- Charity Commission Trustees Page, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/528717/trustees, accessed 28 December 2025
- Our Warwickshire, "Nethersole's School for the Poor in Polesworth," https://www.ourwarwickshire.org.uk/content/article/nethersoles-school-poor-polesworth, accessed 28 December 2025
- British History Online, “Parishes: Polesworth,” Victoria County History of Warwickshire, Volume 4, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/warks/vol4/pp186-198, accessed 28 December 2025
- Charity Commission Register, “SIR FRANCIS NETHERSOLE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION - 1184916,” https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5145555, accessed 28 December 2025