Teacher Development Fund
We support teachers to develop arts-based approaches which create equitable classrooms where all children learn and thrive.
- Amount: Up to £165,000 per application
- Deadline: 12 November 2025 at 12 noon
- Duration: Projects should last for two academic years
Aim of the fund
We envision a more equitable school system where high-quality arts-based learning is a core part of all children’s education. We believe that arts-based teaching and learning can add value and help schools achieve their aspirations for pupils. This fund achieves this by:
- focusing on pupils who experience systemic inequity and enabling them to access and make progress in their learning;
- supporting arts organisations and schools working in equal partnerships to exchange and enrich their expertise;
- recognising teachers are critical to pupils’ outcomes;
- creating high-quality inspiring professional learning for teachers;
- enabling teachers and artist practitioners to learn and work together in the classroom;
- building a body of evidence and practice, and understanding how the work improves equity for pupils; and
- generating sustainable changes in teaching and learning in schools for the long-term.
Who we want to support
- Either a primary school or an arts/cultural organisation may be the lead applicant.
- All applications must have solid partnerships in place
- Each partnership must include one or more arts/cultural organisations
- A minimum of six and a maximum of ten schools should be involved in each project, regardless of whether the lead applicant is an arts/cultural organisation or aschool
- Each participating school should commit at least two teachers and one senior leader to the project, though flexibility can be offered to small, rural schools
- Arts organisations can be charities, community organisations, social enterprises and not-for-profit companies active in the arts and culture sector
- Participating schools can be mainstream, specialist SEND or Alternative Provision settings, working with primary-age children
- Projects may include teachers of Nursery and Reception classes in primary schools
- All schools must be operating in the state sector.
