17 Heads, Deputy Heads and teachers from 16 Newcastle schools attended our briefing session with Newcastle City Council on Round 3 of the Turing Scheme for international visits on 2nd February at Newcastle Civic Centre.
There is a high level of interest in accessing funding to support schools to enable their pupils to have life changing experiences by going abroad, as part of a broader strategy around internationalism in schools.
Click here to view the Turing Briefing presentation from the session, which includes:
- advice on developing a strategic approach to internationalism
- details of the funding criteria, how to prepare applications
- expectations in terms of ensuring pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds and underrepresented groups have access to the opportunities
- links to useful information, advice and guidance
- advice and support to develop links and applications
- Deputy Heads’ experiences of applying to Turing and the subsequent impact: Bryn Taylor from St Paul’s Primary, who has already been on an international visit to France with Turing support; and Vashti Sergison from Tyneview Primary, which is visiting Istanbul in May and has been engaging with the local Turkish community.
Support for links and applications
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.
We will support any Newcastle school interested in developing an international approach, establishing a link with a partner abroad and/or applying to the Turing Scheme. The first point of contact is Sarah Edgar (Newcastle City Council, School Effectiveness), who we will then work with to provide support. Email: sarah.edgar@newcastle.gov.uk
It is likely that when the call for applications opens, there will be a tight timescale to apply and we are offering support to schools now to develop or enhance their international links and to provide practical support to prepare applications to the scheme.
The impact of international experiences
What is the Turing Scheme?
The Turing Scheme is the UK Government’s funding programme to provide global opportunities in education and training for British citizens and is open for registrations now from schools, colleges and universities. The programme guidance for the 2023-24 funding is now available and the call for applications is due to open soon for visits taking place up to August 2024.
Click here to download the programme guidance
What does Turing Scheme support?
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. These projects can be language, humanities or science based. They can involve drama, sport, music or be centred around pupil health and well-being. This list is not exhaustive.
The key is that the visit allows our young people to engage with and work alongside their peers. The visits should not be tourist/cultural visits only, attendance at music festival or sports competitions or attendance at multinational conferences. The visits should be part of a wider relationship and activities between the partner schools.
- Visits must last for a minimum of 3 days (up to 2 months) in the partner country
- Funding is available for pupils and staff to travel and stay abroad, as well as pre-visits for staff to check the arrangements and carry out risk assessments
- There is organisational support funding for schools to cover staffing, as well as engaging the school, parents/families and children in preparing for the international visit
- Additional funding can be requested for pupils with additional needs or for pupils from particularly disadvantaged backgrounds (this could include for passports, vaccination and other additional expenses such as clothes etc). There is also funding for additional costs relating to SEND pupils.
We know how valuable this grant will be to many of our families as it would enable some of our learners to access opportunities which may be unavailable to them because of family circumstances. Please note that there is no funding for overseas schools to visit the UK as part of this scheme.