The City And Diocese Of London Voluntary Schools Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £15,000 - £20,000
• Success Rate: Oversubscribed (specific percentage not available)
• Decision Time: Applications reviewed monthly; trustees meet 3 times/year
• Grant Range: Variable individual grants
• Geographic Focus: Diocese of London (London and Surrey)

Contact Details

Address: 36 Causton Street, London, SW1P 4AU

Phone: 020 3837 5152

Email:

• General enquiries: penny.roberts@london.anglican.org
• Student grant applications: dee.thomas@london.anglican.org

Website: https://ldbs.co.uk/school-improvement#grants

Application deadlines: 28 February, 31 May, 31 October

Overview

The City and Diocese of London Voluntary Schools Fund (Charity No. 312259) was established in October 1962 and is administered by the London Diocesan Board for Schools (LDBS) as its sole trustee. The fund operates as a small endowment providing approximately £15,000-£20,000 annually to support voluntary aided Church of England schools and disadvantaged pupils in the Diocese of London. Over the last decade, this fund has supported around 2,000 pupils in disadvantaged circumstances to access curriculum enrichment opportunities including residential trips and music/arts activities. The fund typically receives more applications than can be funded, making it highly competitive. LDBS has been the educational arm of the Diocese of London since 1836, currently serving 161 Church of England schools across 18 London boroughs with 59,000 pupils.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. School Building Repairs: Grants to voluntary aided Church of England schools for building repairs and maintenance work

2. Student Enrichment Fund: Grants for pupils under age 25 in financial need attending voluntary aided schools in the Diocese, specifically for:

• Residential trips and educational visits
• Music activities and tuition
• Arts activities and programs
• Other activities beyond the statutory curriculum

Priority Areas

• Voluntary aided Church of England schools within the Diocese of London
• Pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds attending diocesan schools
• Curriculum enrichment activities that enhance educational opportunities
• School building maintenance and repair projects
• Scholarships, bursaries, and financial assistance for education
• Travel abroad for educational purposes
• Promoting social and physical training alongside education

What They Don't Fund

• Retrospective claims: Grants are only made in advance of activities
• Schools or pupils outside the Diocese of London
• Non-Church of England voluntary aided schools
• Activities that fall within statutory curriculum requirements
• Organizations or individuals not meeting the eligibility criteria of having attended diocesan schools for at least 2 years

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Governance and Leadership

Sole Trustee: The London Diocesan Board for Schools

Key Leadership:

• Penny Roberts MBE - Director of Education and Executive Chair of LDBS. Appointed September 2022 after serving as Executive Chair since 2020. Penny has extensive experience in education including roles as MAT COO, educational psychologist, and maths teacher. Between 2011-2018, she worked as a consultant to LDBS to open nine new schools.

Chair of Trustees: Rt Revd Rob Wickham, Bishop of Edmonton

Note: No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity, ensuring all funds support charitable purposes.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Student Grants:

• Complete the application form available from LDBS
• Email completed forms to: dee.thomas@london.anglican.org
• Submit applications before the quarterly deadlines

For School Repair Grants:

• Schools must be enrolled in the London Diocesan Maintenance Fund
• Schools must pay into the maintenance fund annually to be eligible
• Schools must contribute 10% towards maintenance and improvement works
• Follow the criteria outlined in the 'City & Diocese of London Voluntary School Fund: Grant Making Policy'

Decision Timeline

• Application review: A named LDBS Officer appraises applications each month
• Decision-making: Trustees meet three times per year to make grant awards
• Application deadlines: 28 February, 31 May, and 31 October
• Timing: Applications are reviewed monthly, with final decisions made at trustee meetings following each deadline

Success Rates

The fund is described as “generally over-subscribed,” indicating competitive application processes. While specific success rate percentages are not publicly available, the fund has supported approximately 2,000 pupils over the last decade, suggesting consistent but selective funding. With only £15,000-£20,000 available annually across both school repairs and student grants, applicants should expect significant competition.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies are not detailed in public materials. Contact LDBS directly for guidance on reapplying after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

Critical Requirements:

• Timing is everything: Applications must be submitted before activities take place. Retrospective claims are automatically rejected.
• Eligibility verification: Ensure schools are voluntary aided Church of England schools within the Diocese of London, and students have attended for the required period.
• Maintenance fund membership: Schools applying for repair grants must be enrolled in and contributing to the London Diocesan Maintenance Fund.

Making Your Application Stand Out:

• Clearly demonstrate financial need and how the grant will make a meaningful difference
• Show how activities extend beyond statutory curriculum requirements
• Explain the educational and developmental benefits for pupils
• For student grants, emphasize enrichment opportunities (residential trips, music, arts) that would otherwise be inaccessible
• For school repairs, highlight urgency and the 10% co-funding commitment
• Apply well before deadlines to ensure monthly review consideration

Application Review Process:

Applications undergo monthly appraisal by a designated LDBS Officer before being presented to trustees for final decisions three times per year. This suggests that well-prepared applications submitted early in the cycle may receive more thorough consideration.

Fund Characteristics to Consider:

• Small annual budget means individual grant amounts are likely modest
• Over-subscription indicates need for compelling cases demonstrating genuine need and impact
• Ten-year track record of supporting 2,000 pupils suggests consistent commitment to disadvantaged students
• Focus on curriculum enrichment indicates preference for transformative opportunities rather than basic needs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Plan ahead: With only three funding rounds per year (February, May, October) and a strict “no retrospective claims” policy, timing your application is crucial. Begin planning activities 3-6 months in advance.

• Demonstrate genuine financial need: With approximately £15,000-£20,000 split across all grants annually and oversubscription, only the most compelling cases of financial hardship will succeed.

• Align with enrichment priorities: Focus applications on activities beyond statutory curriculum—residential trips, music, arts, and educational travel are explicitly mentioned priorities.

• Ensure eligibility is crystal clear: Only voluntary aided Church of England schools in the Diocese of London qualify. For student grants, attendance at diocesan schools for the required period is essential.

• For school repairs, ensure maintenance fund membership: Schools must be enrolled in and contributing to the London Diocesan Maintenance Fund and commit to 10% co-funding.

• Keep applications concise and focused: With monthly officer reviews and quarterly trustee decisions, clear, well-organized applications demonstrating need and impact will stand out.

• Build relationships with LDBS: Contact Dee Thomas (student grants) or Penny Roberts (general enquiries) for guidance on eligibility and application preparation before submitting.

References

• Charity Commission Register: “The City and Diocese of London Voluntary Schools Fund” (Charity No. 312259).. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/312259/full-print

• London Diocesan Board for Schools: “School Improvement - Grants.”. https://ldbs.co.uk/school-improvement

• London Diocesan Board for Schools: “Grants for Students in Financial Need.”. https://ldbs.co.uk/grants-for-students-in-financial-need/

• OpenCharities: “The City and Diocese of London Voluntary Schools Fund.”. http://opencharities.org/charities/312259

• Diocese of London: “Announcement of Executive Chair for the London Diocesan Board for Schools”.. https://www.london.anglican.org/articles/announcement-of-executive-chair-for-the-london-diocesan-board-for-schools/

• Diocese of London: “Diocese of London appoints new Director of Education” (2022).. https://www.london.anglican.org/articles/diocese-of-london-appoints-new-director-of-education/

• Charity Commission Register: “The London Diocesan Board for Schools” (Charity No. 313000).. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/313000