The Sir John Sedley Educational Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Approximately £189,000 (2022-23)
• Grant Range: Discretionary grants; Bursaries typically £1,000 per year
• Eligibility: Young people under 25 years old
• Geographic Focus: Wymondham and 14 peripheral parishes in Leicestershire, Rutland, and Lincolnshire
• Founded: 1637
• Charity Number: 527884

Contact Details

Website: www.sirjohnsedley.org.uk

Email: clerk@sirjohnsedley.org.uk

Phone: 07884 235974

Address: Contact via website or email for correspondence address

Overview

The Sir John Sedley Educational Foundation has been “Helping Young People Since 1637,” making it one of England's oldest continuously operating educational charities. Founded when Sir John Sedley endowed a Free Grammar School in Wymondham with 60 acres of land, the foundation was formally established in 1970 to continue his legacy. With annual expenditure of approximately £189,000 (2022-23), the foundation provides financial support to young people under 25 for further education of an academic or vocational nature. Operating across 15 parishes in the Melton and Rutland areas, the foundation maintains the founding principle of supporting educational needs within local communities. The charity is registered with the Charity Commission (number 527884) and continues to generate considerable income from its historical endowment to support educational facilities and individual students.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Standard Grants

• Amount: At trustees' discretion
• Purpose: One-off support for educational needs
• Application: Can be made each academic year
• Examples: Equipment, books, clothing, materials, educational trips

Annual Bursaries

• Amount: Typically £1,000 per year
• Purpose: Ongoing support for courses or study programmes
• Duration: Renewable annually
• Generally no maximum amount, determined case-by-case

Special Merit Bursary Awards

• Amount: Full funding
• Duration: 3 years
• Purpose: Courses or projects of exceptional merit
• Criteria: Outstanding educational value or potential

Priority Areas

The foundation supports a wide range of educational activities including:

• Formal Education: Academic courses, university studies, college programmes
• Vocational Training: Apprenticeships, professional qualifications, skills training
• The Arts: Music lessons, arts education, creative development
• Sport: Sports-related education and training costs
• Travel: Educational travel (not holidays)
• Materials and Equipment: Books, computers, tools, uniforms, specialist equipment
• General Educational Expenses: Course fees, living costs related to education

The foundation specifically welcomes applications from:

• Students in formal education
• Apprentices
• Those undertaking private study to further their careers
• Young people in work seeking educational advancement

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation has clear geographical restrictions:

• Applicants must reside in one of the 15 eligible parishes
• Must be under 25 years of age
• Support is for educational purposes only (leisure travel or holidays not eligible)

Important condition: If funding is approved before a course or event is cancelled, recipients are obligated to return the funds to the Trust.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The foundation is governed by a board of trustees including:

• Jennifer Lady Gretton
• Mr David Hatton
• Mrs Hester Bonham
• Cllr Lorraine Watkins
• Mr Philip Gaskell
• Councillor Malise Graham
• Mr Richard Tollemache JP
• Mrs Patricia Peters
• Mr Michael Drake
• Mr David Samuel Kirk

The trustees meet regularly to review applications and make funding decisions on an individual basis.

Administrative Support

The foundation employs a Clerk who handles day-to-day administration, correspondence, and application processing. The Clerk serves as the primary point of contact for applicants.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are made by contacting the Clerk to the Sir John Sedley Educational Foundation:

• Email: clerk@sirjohnsedley.org.uk
• Phone: 07884 235974
• Website: www.sirjohnsedley.org.uk

The foundation encourages people to contact the Clerk if unsure whether their needs qualify for funding. Each application is judged on an individual basis.

Application Method

The foundation operates a rolling application process. Individuals can apply each academic year. There is no mention of fixed deadlines, suggesting applications are accepted year-round.

Required Information

As part of the application process, applicants should be prepared to provide:

• Evidence of residence in one of the eligible parishes
• Details of the educational course, programme, or activity
• Specific costs requiring support
• How the funding will further their education

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly specified but applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The trustees meet regularly to consider applications.

Post-Award Requirements

As part of the terms of each Grant or Bursary, the trustees require that recipients provide an update on their progress and achievements. This ensures accountability and allows the foundation to understand the impact of their support.

Reapplication Policy

Individuals can apply each academic year, suggesting that reapplication is welcomed. Annual Bursaries are designed to be renewable, supporting students throughout multi-year courses.

Application Success Factors

Key Criteria

Clear Educational Purpose: The foundation judges each application individually, looking for genuine educational benefit. Applications should clearly articulate how the funding will advance the applicant's education or career development.

Demonstrated Need: While not means-tested, applications should show why funding is needed and what difference it will make to the applicant's educational journey.

Geographic Eligibility: Applicants must reside in one of the 15 eligible parishes. This is a fundamental requirement.

Age Requirement: Must be 25 years or under at the time of application.

What Makes Applications Stand Out

Diverse Educational Paths: The foundation explicitly supports a wide range of educational activities beyond traditional academic routes. Applications for apprenticeships, arts, sports, and vocational training are equally valued alongside university courses.

Working Young People: The foundation specifically mentions that “young people in work are also eligible for support,” indicating they value lifelong learning and career development, not just full-time students.

Projects of Special Merit: The foundation offers 3-year Bursary Awards for courses or projects of special merit, suggesting they reward exceptional educational ambition or innovative learning.

Advice for Applicants

Contact the Clerk First: The foundation encourages applicants to get in touch if they're unsure whether their needs qualify. This suggests a supportive, accessible approach where pre-application guidance is welcomed.

Think Broadly: The foundation's wide range of supported activities (sport, travel, arts, apprenticeships, music) indicates they take a holistic view of education. Don't assume only traditional academic costs qualify.

Be Prepared to Report Back: The requirement for progress updates suggests the foundation values engagement and wants to celebrate successes. This isn't onerous but shows they care about outcomes.

Apply Each Year: The ability to apply each academic year means even if needs are modest in one year, applicants shouldn't hesitate to apply again when circumstances change.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Historic but Accessible: Nearly 400 years old, yet the foundation maintains an approachable, flexible application process with rolling applications and case-by-case decisions
• Broad Definition of Education: Support extends far beyond traditional academics to include apprenticeships, arts, music, sport, and travel—any genuine educational development
• Typical Bursary Amount: £1,000 per year is the standard for ongoing support, though amounts vary by need and trustees' discretion
• Geographic Specificity Matters: Only 15 parishes are eligible—residency in these specific locations is non-negotiable
• Young People in Work Welcome: The foundation explicitly supports career development and private study, not just full-time students
• Renewable Support: Annual applications and multi-year bursaries show commitment to supporting students throughout their educational journey
• Progress Reporting Required: Be prepared to update the foundation on achievements—they want to see the impact of their investment
• Pre-Application Contact Encouraged: The foundation welcomes inquiries about eligibility, suggesting a supportive relationship rather than a bureaucratic barrier

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The William Price Charitable Trust
• The Foundation of Saint Matthias
• James Marshall Foundation CIO
• The Albert Dawson Educational Trust
• The Ewelme Exhibition Foundation
• Kettering Old Grammar School Foundation
• Consolidated Charity of Burton upon Trent
• William Palmer College Educational Trust
• The Rowland Educational Foundation
• Thetford Educational Foundation Trust

References

• The Sir John Sedley Educational Foundation official website: www.sirjohnsedley.org.uk
• UK Charity Commission Register, Charity Number 527884: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/527884
• OpenCharities profile: http://opencharities.org/charities/527884
• South Witham Parish Council announcement on Sir John Sedley Educational grants: https://south-witham.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/news/article/8/sir-john-sedley-educational-foundation-educational-grants
• Whissendine Parish information on bursary applications: http://www.whissendine.net/news/applications-for-educational-bursaries-from-sir-john-sedley-educational-foundation/
• Historical information from Wymondham local history sources regarding Sir John Sedley's 1637 endowment and the foundation's origins
• Melton Borough Council contact details: https://democracy.melton.gov.uk/mgCommitteeMailingList.aspx?ID=193