What to Apply For

Grant Application Assessment Criteria

 

We cut out as much time and paperwork as we can by having a single, short, on-line application form.  This page shows what we are looking for in every application and what bids to avoid. 

 

Every Application Should...

be for a specific project  to enhance learning in a National Curriculum subject (STEM, PE, English, Foundation) or Learning to Learn training.

  • The "project" might be for one or more of:  equipment, resources, software, training,  speakers/workshops, trips (with follow-up activities) etc
  • Give us details about the specific items/services you want to buy, who from and the ex. VAT cost.   You should provide a link to the items/services in the form or attach a quote/brochure page scan etc on an email to gareth@yahoo.co.uk
  • All items/services need to be primarily focussed on improving learning in the same National Curriculum subject.  If you apply for a (small) number of different items, they all need to be targeting learning in the same subject.   In wide ranging subjects, the resources should all target the same area (e.g. In PE,  that usually means the same sport, or same group of sports/skills (eg target sports, net sports, invasion games, fitness/strength etc or possibly items/services that are going to directly enhance performance in the targeted sport). 
    • Exception 1:  Learning to Learn bids apply for training that teaches techniques to enhance learining in (usually) a wide range of subjects and improve the motivation to learn.
    • Exception 2:  We do consider projects which enhance learning in a wide range of subject areas and even in different subjects (e.g. iPads, smartboards and visualisers) but you would need to explain how each piece of equipment would improve learning in these areas/subjects.  There should only be 1-3 different items in this sort of bid.
  • You need to explain how each item will enhance learning in the subject and which pupils (year-group, ability level etc.) will benefit if that is different for each item.   
    • It certainly adds to your application if some/all items will also benefit other subjects/objectives (e.g. heart-rate monitors as part of a science bid might also be used in PE) but they must all primarily be targeting the same subject.
    • It also helps your application if your project will also improve general wellbeing, life-skills, happiness and motivation but this cannot be the main purpose of your bid.

 

Bids to avoid

In line with our application criteria and achieving maximum learning benefits from our limited budget, there are a number of projects that we do not, or very rarely, approve:

  • Projects with only a weak link to enhancing learning in focus areas.  We will only fund items/services which directly facilitate/enhance teaching and learning in specific subjects/topics in the National Curriculum   Items which are only for motivation or well-being (e.g. sensory/calm rooms or equipment,  play equipment) are not funded. We understand the importance of these aspects of education so motivation and well-being benefits certainly add to your application, but the main focus must be on directly improving learning in a curriculum subject area(s). 
  • "Play" equipment/resources.  As valuable as play is, we need projects to target specific National Curriculum subjects.
  • "Spaces"/Furniture/Building Costs.  Although we appreciate pupils need rooms, seats, desks and books need shelves etc, they are expensive and we have chosen to only allocate our limited funds to items/activities which directly target learning in specific National Curriculum subjects.  This restriction also includes sensory/wellbeing rooms and equipment for the same reason.
    • Exception:  Major Award (£10,000) applications are allowed an element of these capital costs e.g. the construction of a long jump runway,  fixed racks for weights in equiping a new fitness room etc.
  • Non-specified items/courses/events.  e.g. "to buy science equipment" or "to purchase a range of fiction books".  Successful applications need to be for specific resources to improve teaching and learning effectiveness (inc. motivation) and/or extend the school’s current offering of National Curriculum subjects and activities.   
  • Long "Shopping Lists":  Long lists of various items (apart from reading/phonics books or book sets) rarely gain funding as we have to understand and agree the educational benefit of every penny spent and this would require applicants to write a strong educational argument for each specific item.  It is far better to apply for 1-3 larger items or multiples of the same item (e.g. a class or half-class set of microscopes) and spend time explaining how it/they will enhance learning, teaching and motivation.
  • Core textbooks.    As vital as these are, we wouldn't be able to fund the demand.  However, specialist textbooks/workbooks that will enhance learning in a particular topic/skills area because you have identified a need will have a much better chance of funding (e.g. a geometry booster or revision skills and practice).
  • Projects with limited longevity.  For example:
    • 1-year subscriptions which will have no effective use/benefits afterwards or no budget to continue in following years.  We do not fund subsequent years of the same subscription.
    • visits or workshops which will not substantially enhance learning after the event. We would need to know about follow-up activities and available resources and any teacher training gained.
    • consumables such as seeds and fertilizers.
  • Transport Costs:  Although we fully appreciate pupils have to get to a venue, we cannot justify granting transport costs in terms of our application criteria.  
  • Payment for staff cover or time.
  • Learning to Learn bids solely for equipment.  The L2L focus area is to promote the teaching of learning skills.  This usually involves outside experts deliviering workshops and materials or possibly specialised software to teach/practice learning skills applicable across a wide ranage of subjects.  We will, however, consider a minority of the bid being for equipment to facilitate the teaching/use of these learning skills.  Equipment-only bids which will enhance learning in a particular subject(s) should be applied for under that subject's focus area.

 

Arguments You Need to Consider

Number of children benefiting

  • Consider how many pupils will benefit from the award: one pupil  (e.g. a highly gifted/talented pupil to receive national-standard coaching), one small group, a class, a whole school?

Pupil Needs

  • Will the idea help pupils who have a particular need for the intended outcome?  Examples might include:  Will the idea help low ability pupils to close the attainment gap?  Will Pupil Premium pupils benefit from a trip or exposure to a study opportunity that would otherwise be beyond their means? 
  • Is this an activity/resource to push high achieving pupils who would find it difficult to access this level of learning/expertise otherwise?
  • Is existing equipment worn out, unsafe or restricting the range of courses/activities that can be delivered.

Depth of learning enhancement

  • Why/how will the project improve learning in the subject(s), perhaps by comparing your project idea to how the subject is taught at present with current resources.
  • Consider/estimate how much pupil attainment is likely to improve from the award.  e.g.  fraction-focused interactive software could improve pupil understanding and application in an identified area of weakness which might be demonstrated in improved KS2 SATSs results.
  • Arguments on how the project will increase motivation/interest and thus, learning, should certainly be given however, this will rarely be enough on its own.
  • The proposed learning benefit should be supported with any evidence that your project will actually achieve particular learning benefits e.g.  similar project results in your school or elsewhere, research,  pupil voice, pegagogic reasoning etc. 

Breadth of learning enhancement

  • Will the project benefit a narrowly focused subject area or help in a wide range of topics?  e.g. comparing software that drastically enhances understanding of 3D shapes compared to a package that covers many maths topics but in less depth.
  • We do give weight to an application which will also benefit subjects/skills outside our focus areas.  e.g. mind-mapping software would aid creative planning and thinking across many subjects.

Extension to current provision

  • How different is your activity/experience/resource to the your school's current provision. e.g. specialist disability sports equipment would probably not be affordable without extra funding.  Staff training and resources for a subject you are not currently able to offer would score highly here.

Longevity of learning enhancement

  • Will future cohorts of pupils also benefit from this project?  e.g. A vaulting horse will help many  P.E. classes for 10+ years or a teacher who receives some specialist coaching/training in tennis will benefit classes for the rest of her/his career and hopefully cascade training down to other staff. 
  • For a one-off event (e.g. a workshop or trip) you will have to explain how the event's benefits (e.g. skills, knowledge,  new-techniques, re-engagement, motivation etc) will last for longer than that day (e.g.  resources included, teachers trained, embed teaching techniques/content into future planning, follow-up events etc).

 

We expect most bids will have some degree of criteria "trade-off" of the above benefits e.g. funding sessions with a professional coach to take a gifted pupil to national level would score highly on "Depth of Benefit" and "Pupil Needs" but not do so well on "Number of Children Benefiting".  However, if the PE teacher was also being trained in advanced coaching techniques, the breadth of benefit score would increase as s/he would use that in all her/his other classes.

Further Application Help

  • Other Information:  We will also take other information into consideration. e.g. How long will the project take to get up and running;  is the school pushing attainment as a centre of excellence and/or learning hub in the subject(s) or trying hard to strengthen an underachieving area?  Are you trying to prepare for an increase in intake or subject popularity?
  • Information Panels:  There are small "i" buttons under some sections of the application forms.  Click on these for further help and examples of how to fill in that section.
  • Part-funding:  Please see our How to Apply for a Grant page for important information on Part-funding (contributions towards projects costing more than our maximum award).

 

Top 5 Feedback Points from the 2025 Primary Major Award Applications

 (“Project” refers to whatever products, training, workshops etc you are applying for)

  1. 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).
  2. 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 explain how/why the items bid for will bestow these benefits.  This also gives an indication of how effectively the school will use the equipment, training etc.
  3. Extra credit is given if the applicant evidences any stated benefits – this might be from e.g. research findings or school/staff experience of similar/related initiatives.  Any research, including provider/supplier claims should be applied to the particular needs of the applicant’s school and not just pasted into the application from a supplier/provider website.
  4. Credit will be given if applicants address how their project will also meet the needs of specified groups of pupils and say how they have identified these needs.
  5. Contrasting the intended project with your current provision is a good way of emphasising the need for the project and the extra learning benefits it will provide.

 

Primary Awards 2025 wordcloud

The Judging Process

Minor Awards
  • At least two EdufudUK trustees/staff will judge each minor award application.
  • We aim to assess new applications within two weeks of receipt but this is not always possible.  Those applications meeting our criteria  (see above) will be considered in the order in which they were received (date/time) until that month's budget runs out and we close the form.   The form will reopen the following month with a refreshed budget.
  • If an application is rejected, the school may apply for another (or amended) project in the same or a different focus area(s). 

 

Major Awards
  • At least two EdufudUK trustees/staff will judge each applications received between the opening date and the deadline.
  • We aim to announce the winner 2-3 weeks after the deadline.  All applicants will be notified of the result by email but individual feedback is not issued in order to avoide giving any school an unfair advantage in future competitive applications.