Teacher Development Fund 2026: Up to £165,000 for Arts-Based Learning in UK Schools

The Paul Hamlyn Foundation (PHF) Teacher Development Fund supports partnerships between schools and arts or cultural organisations that use arts-based approaches to improve teaching, learning and equity for children.

The fund is designed around the belief that high-quality arts-based learning can help create more equitable classrooms where children can learn, participate and thrive.

Funding Amount and Duration

Successful applicants can receive up to £165,000 per application.

Projects are expected to run for two academic years, giving schools and arts organisations sufficient time to develop professional learning, test arts-based approaches in classrooms, evaluate their impact and build sustainable changes in teaching and learning.

What Does the Teacher Development Fund Support?

The fund focuses on developing teachers’ skills and confidence in using arts-based approaches in education. Supported projects should contribute to more equitable learning environments, particularly for pupils experiencing systemic inequity.

The programme aims to:

• Improve access to learning for pupils experiencing systemic inequity.
• Strengthen collaboration between schools and arts or cultural organisations.
• Provide high-quality professional learning for teachers.
• Enable teachers and artist practitioners to learn from and work alongside one another in classrooms.
• Build evidence and practical knowledge about how arts-based learning can improve equity.
• Encourage sustainable improvements in teaching and learning that continue beyond the project period.

Who Can Lead an Application?

Either of the following can act as the lead applicant:

1. A primary school, or
2. An arts or cultural organisation.

However, applications must be based on a strong partnership between schools and arts or cultural organisations.

Each project must involve:

• A minimum of six schools.
• A maximum of ten schools.
• At least one arts or cultural organisation.
• At least two teachers and one senior leader from each participating school, although some flexibility may be available for small or rural schools.

Eligible Schools and Organisations

Participating schools must operate in the state sector and can include:

• Mainstream primary schools.
• Specialist SEND settings.
• Alternative Provision settings.
• Schools working with primary-age children.

Teachers working with Nursery and Reception classes in primary schools may also be included.

Eligible arts organisations can include:

• Charities.
• Community organisations.
• Social enterprises.
• Not-for-profit companies active in the arts and culture sector.

What Will Funded Projects Work On?

The Teacher Development Fund expects projects to develop a structured professional learning programme over two academic years.

Key areas include:

• Equity: Improving learning opportunities and outcomes for pupils.
• Professional learning: Developing teachers’ knowledge, skills and confidence.
• Arts-based approaches: Integrating creative and arts-based methods into classroom teaching.
• Curriculum: Exploring how arts-based approaches can enhance curriculum delivery.
• Formative evaluation: Learning from the implementation of the project and using evidence to improve practice.
• Spreading practice: Sharing learning and effective approaches beyond participating schools.
• Cohort learning: Creating opportunities for participating schools and practitioners to learn together.
• Community of practice: Building longer-term networks for collaboration and shared learning.

What Makes a Strong Partnership?

The foundation highlights several characteristics associated with effective partnerships and practice.

These include:

• Anti-racism.
• Intersectionality.
• Effective professional learning.
• Meaningful involvement of school leaders.
• Strong roles for artist practitioners.
• Enquiry-driven and reflective practice.

Applicants should therefore demonstrate that the proposed partnership is more than a simple relationship between a funder, school and arts organisation. The partners should be able to show how they will work together, learn together and create meaningful improvements in teaching and learning.

Deadline

The deadline to apply for the Teacher Development Fund is 11 November 2026 at 12 noon.

Applicants should allow sufficient time to establish the required partnerships, develop the project approach, clarify participating schools and prepare the application before the deadline.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the Paul Hamlyn Foundation’s application system.

Applicants should also review the foundation’s detailed eligibility guidance and FAQs before applying.

Click HERE to read more and apply.

Conclusion

The Teacher Development Fund provides substantial support for schools and arts or cultural organisations seeking to use arts-based learning to create more equitable educational environments. With funding of up to £165,000, a two-academic-year project period and a strong emphasis on teacher development, partnership working, evaluation and sustainable change, the opportunity is particularly relevant to organisations with established experience in arts education and schools committed to improving outcomes for children experiencing systemic inequity.

Click HERE for more grant opportunities.