New Approaches to Learning Strand

Background: why the New Approaches to Learning strand?

Through this strand, we seek to use our independence and flexibility to support work in schools and early years’ settings that is unlikely to get statutory funding because it is new, risky, unorthodox or overlooked. We are keen to back work that tackles thorny educational issues and improves young people's educational attainment and motivation, particularly where it is likely to influence national policy and practice.

Purpose: what is the New Approaches to Learning strand aiming to achieve?

To research, test and evaluate new approaches to teaching and learning that address current and future challenges in early years settings and state schools for children and young people aged 0-18. We are particularly interested in developing models of effective practice that are of national significance including:

• Early interventions that are likely to enhance the language, literacy, numeracy and social skills of disadvantaged children
• Systems to improve learning support and continuity for vulnerable young people at points of educational transition
• Models that increase the flexibility and relevance of learning for young people at Key Stages 3 and 4. (This might involve testing changes to school structure, curriculum, teaching and assessment methods)
• Measures to improve take-up of the Sciences and Modern Foreign Languages in secondary schools
• Projects that strengthen the role of schools in the community
• Developments that build a flexible and skilled schools' work force to meet changing educational needs.

If there are other burning issues that you are keen to address, do contact us, as we may be able to help, funding permitting!

Available funding 

• The budget is £4.5 million over three years from 2008, subject to annual review
• Grants are likely to be in the range of £15,000-£250,000.  Smaller grants upto £15,000 are available for initial groundwork to test the case for a larger proposal. These might cover the costs of research, consultation, business planning or evaluation
• We anticipate that we will make 15-20 grants per year.

What are we looking to fund under the New Approaches to Learning strand? 

We will support research and project costs including staffing, evaluation, dissemination and modest overheads.
We will look for applications that:

• Are well researched and have a strong evidence base
• Meet a real need
• Either:
  i) propose new approaches to addressing complex educational issues or
  ii) scale up effective or regional practice that deserves a national platform
• Will improve educational outcomes for young people
• Involve collaboration between influential education practitioners, policy makers and education stakeholders in the voluntary, public and private sectors
• Include clear and practical delivery plans
• Include convincing plans for national dissemination
• Will be independently evaluated
• Include a clear and reasonable budget
• Are likely to make a lasting impact on national education policy and/or practice.

What is excluded from support?

• Capital projects, including refurbishment
• Proposals for local work that is unlikely to have a national impact
• Proposals from individual pre-schools, schools and colleges
• Proposals without the support of both policy makers and education practitioners
• Proposals for work exclusively outside schools or pre-schools.

Application process

1. You are invited to phone or email Hilary Hodgson in the first instance to check whether your proposal meets the criteria for the fund on 0207 297 4700.

2. If it does, we will ask you to complete a First Stage Application, clearly marked "Application to the New Approaches to Learning Strand" at the top of each page, comprising:

a) a form. Download an electronic version of the form (Word 40k).

b) a short statement summarising what you would like to do and why on no more than three sides of A4, using a font no smaller than 12-point. Please use the following headings:

• Some background about the achievements of the applicant organisation(s)
• The aims of the proposal
• Why the work is important and what evidence there is to support the need.
• The main project tasks and timescale.
• Who would lead the work and why they are best qualified to do so
• What long-term difference the proposal is likely to make to national education policy or practice
• The rough costs of the work and from where else, if anywhere, you are seeking funding.

c) a copy of your organisation's most recent accounts (or a budget for the current year if your organisation is new, or the appropriate departmental budget if you are a university or local authority).

d) your organisation's constitution (if you are not a registered charity, with the exception of local authorities).

3.  First stage applications will be assessed by a panel.  We will contact you within one month to let you know whether you are invited to proceed to the second stage of the application process. If you are successful, we will let you know what additional information we need and by when.

4. Final decisions about second stage applications to this fund and this fund only will be considered in June and October 2008 and you will be informed of the outcome within two weeks.

May 2008

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