Teacher Development Fund
We have two funds focused on arts education. If the Teacher Development Fund isn’t the right fit for you, you might be more suited to our Arts-based Learning Fund.
We support teachers to develop arts-based approaches which create equitable classrooms where all children learn and thrive.
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 either an arts/cultural organisation or a school
- 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, 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.
What you will work on
What makes an effective partnership
Through our learning so far, we have identified the following characteristics of effective practice and partnership:
In this section
Application process
The Teacher Development Fund has a two-stage application process. The deadline for this round of funding is 13 November 2024 at 12 noon.
Help with applications
Access support bursary
If this application process is inaccessible to you at any stage, please get in touch. We can provide pre-application access support and a bursary of up to £750 to help you apply.
We use an online application form.
A sample application form can be downloaded as a word document, also available in large print, for you to review in advance.
Resource hub
The resource hub brings together content from some of the projects we support and the PHF team. You can watch videos to see the Teacher Development Fund in action. You’ll find blogs from teachers and school leaders, plus resources to help you apply and to create a more equitable classroom.
Start your application
Log-in or register to our online application form to start your application.