Schools application process
Please note this information does not apply to special schools, who should apply under the special needs programme.
Some 50 applications are invited from secondary schools and sixth form colleges each year. They are considered first by the Schools Panel whose recommendations are then decided by Trustees at their meetings in June and December. Members of the Panel visit applicant schools. This means that the lead-in time from initial enquiry to an application being invited and considered is rather longer than for other programmes. It is also a popular programme which may mean an invitation to apply has to be deferred to the next meeting if the allocation for the first is already subscribed.
The timetable leading to each meeting of Trustees is as follows:
For the June meeting: Stage One applications are considered during the second half of the previous year and should be submitted by 30 November. If eligible, applicants will be invited to apply for the Stage Two deadline of 31 January. Schools are visited between February and April, applications considered by the Schools Panel in May and recommendations made to the June meeting of Trustees.
For the December meeting: Stage One applications should be submitted by 15 April. If eligible, applications will be invited to apply for the Stage Two deadline of 15 June. Schools are visited at the end of the summer term or early in the autumn term. The Schools Panel meets in November and its recommendations go forward to the December meeting of Trustees.
The following points may be relevant to making an initial enquiry -
Excellence
The main thrust of the schools programme has been to provide support to schools or sixth form colleges that already have a proven record of excellent performance. However, the Trustees will also help schools which, whilst not yet in the upper reaches of the performance tables, have a clear record of continuing improvement. Schools should cite their place in The Financial Times list of the top 1000 schools; refer to a recent 'excellent' Ofsted/ISI report; or provide information on academic attainments (full results of GCSE examinations for the preceding academic year presented in the form required by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, together with summary results for the last five years)
Eligible projects
These may be capital or equipment projects. A bid for both may be included in a single application. Grants are not made retrospectively so work on a project for which support is sought must be ongoing at the time of the Trustees' meeting. Grants are made for the support of the teaching of science and technology for students taking A level or GCSE examinations. A music technology project may be considered on occasion, but the main focus of the schools programme is science and technology.
Ineligible projects
Examples of ineligible projects are those relating to performing or creative arts centres, dance studios, theatres, sports facilities, libraries and projects exclusively for junior pupils in the school.
Denominational schools
In making application, schools are asked for confirmation of non-discriminatory entry policies in respect of religious allegiance. Schools that are predominantly denominational may be supported but assurance should be provided that a significant number of pupils of other faiths, or of none, are admitted and that the school sees such a group as a positive asset for all the pupils in the school. An indication of the relevant numbers of such pupils should be provided.
Independent schools
Only schools with a sixth form of at least 50 students may be invited.
Previous grant(s)
It is usual to allow some five years to elapse before another application from the same organisation may be considered.