The Oliver Whitby Educational Foundation

Quick Stats

• Registered Charity Number: 306386
• Annual Income: £51,786 (2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £95,005 (2024)
• Geographic Focus: Chichester, West Wittering, and Harting (West Sussex)
• Grant Type: Individual educational scholarships and grants
• Application Process: Not publicly documented

Contact Details

Email: demcc@talktalk.net

Phone: 01243 584126

Registered with: Charity Commission for England and Wales (306386)

Overview

The Oliver Whitby Educational Foundation was established in 1702 through the will of Oliver Whitby (1664-1703), a lawyer from Chichester and son of the Archdeacon of Chichester. The foundation was created from his bequest of properties in West Wittering to establish a school in Chichester for twelve boys—four each from Chichester, Harting, and West Wittering—and to make annual payments to West Wittering parish for teaching six poor children. The school, known as the Bluecoat School, operated from 1712 until its closure in 1950. Following the school's closure, the foundation transitioned into a grant-making charity that continues to provide educational scholarships and financial assistance for qualified students. The foundation maintains its historic mission of supporting education for young people, particularly those from the three original parish areas. With annual expenditure exceeding income, the foundation appears to be drawing on endowment reserves to maintain its charitable activities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation provides educational grants and scholarships to individuals, with a focus on:

• Scholarships for Qualified Students: Financial support for students pursuing education at various levels
• Educational Training Support: Assistance for children and young people in accessing education and training opportunities
• Historical Geographic Focus: Priority for individuals from Chichester, West Wittering, and Harting parishes

Specific grant amounts are not publicly documented, but the foundation's 2024 expenditure of £95,005 suggests meaningful support distributed among beneficiaries.

Priority Areas

• Education and training for children and young people
• Scholarships for qualified students from the beneficiary areas
• Supporting students from the historic parishes of Chichester, West Wittering, and Harting

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but based on the foundation's objects:

• Organizations (grants are made to individuals, not institutions)
• Non-educational purposes
• Individuals with no connection to the beneficiary geographic areas

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The foundation is governed by six trustees:

1. Nigel Hanbury (Chair)
2. Deborah Alun Jones (Appointed 27 April 2021)
3. Bernard Adkins (Appointed 01 July 2019)
4. Anne Scicluna (Appointed 01 July 2019)
5. Janet Elizabeth Beveridge (Appointed 06 August 2017)
6. Mrs Emma Goad

No trustees receive remuneration or payments from the charity. The foundation has no employees and no trading subsidiaries. The charity's reporting with the Charity Commission is up to date.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation appears to operate through trustee discretion and local networks. Contact can be made via:

Email: demcc@talktalk.net

Phone: 01243 584126

Prospective applicants may also:

• Contact through local parish councils in Chichester, West Wittering, or Harting
• Speak with local schools or educational institutions in the beneficiary areas
• Seek guidance from West Sussex County Council's education department

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's historic roots in three specific parishes and the lack of public application information, potential beneficiaries might consider:

• Establishing connections through local schools in Chichester, West Wittering, or Harting
• Contacting parish councils in the three beneficiary areas who may have established relationships with the foundation
• Inquiring through West Sussex educational authorities who may be aware of the foundation's current practices
• Making initial contact via the provided email (demcc@talktalk.net) or phone (01243 584126)

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly documented.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly documented.

Application Success Factors

Due to limited public information about the foundation's current operations, specific success factors cannot be definitively stated. However, based on the foundation's historic mission and charitable objects:

• Geographic Connection: Priority appears to be given to individuals from Chichester, West Wittering, and Harting—the three parishes specified in Oliver Whitby's original 1702 bequest
• Educational Need: The foundation was established to support the education of “poor boys” and continues to focus on providing educational opportunities
• Clear Educational Purpose: Applications should demonstrate a clear educational goal or training objective
• Individual Applicants: The foundation makes grants to individuals rather than organizations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a historic educational foundation established over 300 years ago that continues its charitable mission today
• The foundation serves a very specific geographic area: Chichester, West Wittering, and Harting in West Sussex
• Applications from individuals outside these three parish areas are unlikely to be successful
• Direct contact can be made via email (demcc@talktalk.net) or phone (01243 584126)
• With £95,005 in annual expenditure, the foundation provides meaningful educational support despite its small scale
• Connection to the local community and the three historic parishes appears to be fundamental to accessing support
• This is a grant-making trust for individuals only, not organizations or institutions

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• THE ALICE ELLEN COOPER-DEAN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
• Sir Francis Nethersole's School Foundation
• The Beaulieu Beaufort Foundation
• Whitehill Chase Foundation
• The Tory Family Foundation
• Jesbrow Foundation
• Graham Rowlandson Foundation
• The Holroyd Foundation
• The Graham Kirkham Foundation
• The Rowland Educational Foundation

References

1. Charity Commission for England and Wales - The Oliver Whitby Educational Foundation (Charity No. 306386)

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/306386

Accessed: February 3, 2026

1. Charity Commission - Trustees Information

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/306386/trustees

Accessed: February 3, 2026

1. Wikipedia - Oliver Whitby

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Whitby

Historical information about the founder

Accessed: February 3, 2026

1. Weald & Downland Living Museum - School from West Wittering

https://www.wealddown.co.uk/buildings/school-from-west-wittering/

Information about the historical context and Oliver Whitby's educational legacy

Accessed: February 3, 2026

1. The National Archives - Chichester, Oliver Whitby School

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/37d755e5-4e36-4851-a00c-dccebf7113f3

Historical records of the Oliver Whitby School

Accessed: February 3, 2026