The Royal Wolverhampton School Foundation

The Royal Wolverhampton School Foundation is a UK-based independent charity, registered under charity number 1092221, dedicated to supporting the education of children of school age, primarily those attending the Royal School Wolverhampton. Tracing its origins back to 1850 with the founding of the Wolverhampton Orphanage Asylum by John Lees, the Foundation has a longstanding history intertwined with the development of the Royal Wolverhampton School.

History

The Foundation's roots began with the establishment of the Wolverhampton Orphanage in 1850. Over the years, the institution evolved significantly:

• In 1900, it received a Royal Charter.
• During the 1920s, it achieved recognition as an "Efficient School."
• In 1944, King George VI granted permission for the school to be named The Royal Wolverhampton School.
• By 1964, it became an independent school, admitting fee-paying pupils alongside Foundation-supported students.
• In 2016, the school transitioned into the Royal School Wolverhampton, a Free School, while the Foundation continued separately as a charity focused on educational advancement[3].

Objectives and Activities

The main objective of the Foundation is "to advance the education of children of school age." To fulfill this mission, the Foundation primarily provides financial support to pupils at the Royal School Wolverhampton who are in significant need but lack access to sufficient funding. It also supports former pupils through the Leavers Exhibition Fund, which aids recent school leavers[2][5].

The Foundation encourages various forms of philanthropy, including donations, regular giving via standing orders, match-funding, payroll giving, and legacies through gifts in wills. These funds help support bursaries, boarding opportunities, and vital infrastructure projects that benefit both current and future pupils[2].

Governance and Financials

The Royal Wolverhampton School Foundation is governed by a board of three trustees who oversee its operations without receiving remuneration or benefits. The charity does not have any trading subsidiaries, and its financial reporting is up-to-date as of August 31, 2023. For the financial year ending in 2023, the Foundation reported a total income of £44,648 against an expenditure of £3,507[5].

Relationship with the Royal School Wolverhampton

While the Royal School Wolverhampton operates as a Free School, the Foundation remains an independent charity. Its primary focus is supporting the school community through funding and grants that facilitate educational opportunities and welfare for pupils, ensuring continuity of care and assistance extending back to its historic origins as an orphanage and school[1][3].

The Royal Wolverhampton School Foundation continues to embody a legacy of educational support and philanthropy, maintaining over 170 years of dedication to advancing education in the Wolverhampton area.