Newcastle schools are invited to attend a briefing session about the Turing Scheme on 5th February. We will provide an overview of the latest version of the scheme, the support available for Newcastle schools applications from International Newcastle and Newcastle City Council, as well as any support required with international school partnerships.
The Department for Education issued guidance on 20th January for the latest round of the Turing Scheme (2026-27). This funds international visits by schools, universities and vocational training organisations to counterparts across the world, to help build skills and widen opportunities for children and young people. The Turing Scheme opened on 26th January and the deadline for applications is 14th March. Funding decisions are likely to be in June for those who are successful for international visits taking place in the academic year 2026-27.
Book onto the Newcastle briefing session
To book your free place for the online briefing for Newcastle schools at 3.30-4.30pm on Thursday 5th February email Sarah Edgar at Newcastle City Council (School Effectiveness): sarah.edgar@newcastle.gov.uk and she will send you the meeting link.
There will be one to one follow up opportunities for schools with Declan and Sarah to prepare applications and support international links.
DfE Turing Scheme briefings for schools
There is a national briefing for schools being provided by the Department for Education. The event is at 4-5pm on 3rd February and schools can register at this link.
DfE has also provided a series of videos about the 2026-27 scheme:
- for providers and staff within providers who have not previously applied for Turing Scheme funding. Click here to watch the introduction video for schools.
- changes to the policy and assessment of applications for the Turing Scheme in the 2026-27 academic year. It is intended for those familiar with the operation of the Scheme and covers all sectors: Changes to the Turing Scheme for 2026-27
- Watch this video after viewing the relevant Introduction to the Turing Scheme for 2026-27 (if you are new to the Scheme) or Changes to the Turing Scheme for 2026-27 (if you are already familiar with the Scheme): Turing Scheme 2026-27 Applying and Assessment
Support for Newcastle schools
Declan Baharini (International Newcastle) and Sarah Edgar (Newcastle City Council, School Effectiveness) support Newcastle schools to apply to the scheme, including help with international links, developing a strategic approach and with applications.
We have a strong track record and recommend schools work with us, with schools accessing over £2.2m from the Turing Scheme since it started and over 1800 children and young people from the city experiencing life-changing international visits.
You can find out more about the importance and impact of international links and visits in our brochure, Empowering Newcastle’s Youth for a Global Future, which includes case studies of local schools who we have supported to access Turing funding.
There is always a high level of interest in this scheme across the UK. It is an important route for schools to access funding to enable their pupils to have life changing experiences by going abroad, as part of a broader strategy around internationalism in schools.
Some schools have existing links with partner schools in other countries, many are just beginning to explore links and thinking about how an international approach could benefit pupils, staff and the whole school community.
Whatever the case for your school, do get involved if you are interested in applying for Turing Scheme funding for international visits.
What does Turing Scheme support?
This year, schools can apply for up to £50,000 for their visits. The DfE announcement and details for the 2026-7 scheme are online here.
Both primary and secondary pupils can take part in international visits (age 4-19 years, must be in an eligible UK school) to partner schools anywhere in the world (except British Overseas Territories) where pupils work together on joint projects. The key is that the visit allows our young people to engage with and work alongside their peers and be part of a wider relationship and activities between the partner schools.
There is a focus on enhancing skills and education outcomes, as well as providing opportunities to pupils who are disadvantaged, from underrepresented groups and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. We know how valuable this grant will be to many of our families as it would enable learners to access opportunities which would otherwise be unavailable to them.
Please note that there is no funding for overseas schools to visit the UK as part of this scheme.
International visits as part of a strategic approach
We recommend that schools develop a strategic approach to internationalism and intercultural experiences across the school community. International visits supported by Turing Scheme could be one part of this approach.
