(Closed) 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.

Please click here for more details.