St. Nicholas' Educational Trust

Charity Number: 228547

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £165,707 (2024)
  • Income: £124,571 (2024)
  • Decision Time: Up to 3 months (quarterly reviews)
  • Grant Range: Individual grants typically £2,500 per year for university scholarships
  • Geographic Focus: Newcastle upon Tyne only
  • Registered Charity Number: 228547

Contact Details

Website: www.stnicholaseducationaltrust.co.uk

Email: stnicholaseducationaltrust@gmail.com

Phone: 0191 7111018 or 01661 871297

Correspondent: Mrs. Judith Oliver, 2 Saville Gardens, The Grove, Gosforth, Newcastle

Overview

St. Nicholas' Educational Trust was established in 1847 as the Ragged Boys School, Newcastle, with the mission “to enable poor children, living within the parish of St. Nicholas, to obtain a good education in order that they may earn an honest living.” The Newcastle Upon Tyne Ragged School was built in 1854 to designs by John Dobson to provide education for deprived children of the City. After evolving through various incarnations including Axwell Park School (which moved to Axwell Park in 1925 and closed in 1983), the Trust stopped providing education on-site in 1995 and has been offering grants to young people to benefit their education ever since. With an annual income of approximately £125,000 and expenditure of around £166,000 (year ending 31 March 2024), the Trust is managed by 10 trustees who receive no remuneration. The Trust makes grants to both individuals and organizations supporting education for young people in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Student Grants: Variable amounts assessed on a case-by-case basis

  • Available to young people under 25 residing in Newcastle upon Tyne
  • Applications accepted on a rolling basis, reviewed quarterly
  • Can cover educational expenses, tuition fees, textbooks, equipment, and other educational costs

University Scholarship Programs:

  • Newcastle University: Up to 4 scholarships available for Year 1 undergraduate students from widening participation backgrounds
  • Northumbria University: 2 scholarships of £2,500 per year (total £7,500 over course of studies) for undergraduate students
  • Payments made in installments: 25% in November, 25% in February, 50% in May

Organizational Grants: Available to schools, colleges, and other educational institutions

  • Must demonstrate clear benefit to young people meeting the Trust's criteria
  • Organizations must submit annual accounts and current budget

Priority Areas

The Trust promotes education for young people who meet ALL of the following criteria:

  • Age: Under 25 years old
  • Residency: Must have lived in Newcastle upon Tyne for at least 5 years (postcodes: NE1, NE2, NE3, NE4, NE5, NE6, NE7, NE12, NE13, and NE15)
  • Financial Need: Must demonstrate need for financial assistance
  • Widening Participation: Priority given to students from disadvantaged backgrounds

Example beneficiary: Emily, a first-year Medicine and Surgery student at Newcastle University from the North East, who uses Trust funds for tuition fees and purchasing medical textbooks.

What They Don't Fund

  • Applicants over 25 years old
  • Applicants who have not been resident in Newcastle upon Tyne for at least 5 years
  • Applicants outside the specified Newcastle postcodes
  • Non-educational expenses
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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by 10 trustees who meet quarterly to review applications. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The Correspondent is Mrs. Judith Oliver, who manages communications with applicants.

Access to applicant personal data is restricted to Trustees and the Correspondent only, and data is held securely in accordance with all relevant data protection legislation. Data provided by applicants is used solely to assess requests for grant aid.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Individual Applicants:

  • Description of study/activities
  • Specific funding amount requested
  • How funds will be spent
  • Educational benefit to be obtained

For Organizations (schools, colleges, educational institutions):

  • How the funding will be used
  • Number of young people who will benefit
  • How beneficiaries meet the Trust criteria
  • Potential impact of funding

Submission: Applications can be submitted at any time by post to Mrs. Judith Oliver at 2 Saville Gardens, The Grove, Gosforth, Newcastle, or through the website's application page.

Decision Timeline

  • Applications are reviewed quarterly by Trustees in January, April, July, and October
  • Applications submitted at any time will be considered at the next quarterly meeting
  • Maximum wait time: approximately 3 months if application submitted just after a quarterly meeting
  • Decisions are confidential and final with no appeals process

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. The Trust maintains confidentiality around individual applications and decisions.

Reapplication Policy

The application form and guidance do not specify restrictions on reapplication. Unsuccessful applicants may wish to contact the Trust directly to inquire about reapplication policies.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's stated requirements and evaluation criteria, successful applications should:

  1. Clearly demonstrate all three eligibility criteria: Under 25, Newcastle resident for 5+ years, and financial need
  2. Provide specific details on educational benefit: Trustees evaluate both how grants will be spent AND the educational benefit obtained
  3. Be specific about funding needs: State exact amounts needed and provide detailed breakdown of costs
  4. Show clear connection to education: All expenses must be directly related to educational advancement
  5. Include supporting documentation: Organizations should attach annual accounts and budgets; individuals should provide evidence of enrollment and costs
  6. Explain impact: Describe how the funding will make a tangible difference to educational outcomes
  7. Submit complete applications: Ensure all parts of the application form are fully completed

The Trust has a long history rooted in supporting disadvantaged young people in Newcastle, dating back to the 1847 Ragged Boys School mission “to enable poor children to obtain a good education in order that they may earn an honest living.” Applications that align with this historical mission of enabling educational opportunity for those facing financial barriers are likely to resonate with trustees.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic restriction is absolute: Only Newcastle upon Tyne residents (5+ years) in specified postcodes are eligible - do not apply if you don't meet this criterion
  • Timing is flexible but predictable: Submit applications anytime, but be aware they're only reviewed quarterly (Jan/Apr/Jul/Oct)
  • Demonstrate financial need clearly: This is a core criterion - provide specific evidence of why funding is necessary
  • Focus on educational benefit: Trustees assess both spending plans and educational outcomes - articulate both clearly
  • Organizations can apply on behalf of students: Schools and colleges can submit applications for their students, which may carry additional weight
  • Decisions are final: There is no appeals process, so ensure your first application is complete and compelling
  • The Trust supports widening participation: Priority goes to students from disadvantaged backgrounds - emphasize barriers overcome and potential unlocked

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