Top 5 Feedback Points from the 2026 Primary/Secondary Major Award Applications
(“Project” refers to whatever products, training, workshops etc you are applying for)
The following points apply to both minor and major applications:
- Read all the website information, especially as regards the projects we consider (i.e. benefitting learning primarily in our focus National Curriculum subjects and/or learning to learn techniques).
- We give credit for our own judgement on the learning benefits of projects but we are not experts in all subjects. Therefore, a lot of weight is given to the applicant’s clear explanations of all the learning benefits their project will bestow to their particular body of students and explanations of how/why the items bid for will bestow these benefits. This also gives us an indication of how effectively the school will use the equipment, training etc. Contrasting the intended project with your current provision is often a good consideration to include in this section.
- Credit will be given if applicants address particular groups of pupils who have a special need for their project (e.g. SEND, topics not currently deliverable, G+T, demotivated etc). Applicants should explain how they have identified these needs and, even more importantly, how their project will meet the specific needs of these groups.
- Extra credit is given if the applicant evidences any stated benefits – this might be from e.g. school/staff experience of similar/related initiatives or research (applicable findings very briefly summarised and referenced). Any benefit evidence, including provider/supplier claims, should be applied to the particular needs of the applicant’s school/pupils and not just pasted into the application from a supplier/provider website.
- Staff development is always important to us. If your project involves enhancing staff skills, knowledge and experience, make sure you explain how that will happen and the benefits to pupil learning that it will bestow.
Additional Note: Whereas you are allowed to apply for substantially less than the £10,000 maximum amount, this does not particularly benefit your application. We hope our Major Awards will make a big and long-lasting difference to learning and teaching and are happy to award the full amount to achieve this.