The Trustees of the Scargill Foundation are responsible for oversight of funds derived from the will of John Scargill, Rector of West Hallam 1638 – 1662. Scargill’s will provided for the setting up of a school in West Hallam for children from West Hallam, Stanley, Mapperley and Dale Abbey. The four villages form the area of benefit for the Foundation today. There has been a Scargill School in West Hallam since 1664 and support for the provision of a school in the village remains the prime purpose of the Foundation.

Today the Foundation contributes financial support to the Scargill School in West Hallam but also contributes to the Church of England schools in Stanley, Stanley Common and Mapperley. Financial support is in the form of quarterly per capita grants, contributions to travel expenses for educational visits and occasionally special purchases. The Foundation provides for the personal gift of a Bible to every student in the village schools before they move on to senior schools. The Foundation also supports early years education and other groups providing educational or training activities for young people in the area of benefit.

Individuals can also benefit from the Foundation’s support by way of small grants for the purchase of learning materials for people in further or higher education. Applications for these grants are made to The Clerk to Scargill’s Educational Foundation, Geldard’s Solicitors, 1 Pride Place, Pride Park, Derby DE24 8QR. Application forms may be obtained from the Clerk to the Foundation or from local clergy.