In 2023, we supported 10 Newcastle schools to access £500,000 funding from Round 3 of the UK Government’s Turing Scheme for visits to their international partner schools in 2024. Around 300 children and accompanying staff have been on life-changing visits between February and June across Europe and Asia.
These are opportunities that these children would not be able to access without the support of their schools and Turing Scheme funding, which aims to enable pupils from disadvantaged and underrepresented groups, in particular, to travel to a partner school in another country.
- St Paul’s C of E Primary School took children on two visits – one to Rajkot in India and one to Nancy in France
- Wingrove Primary School took children on two visits – one to Amsterdam in Holland and one to Nancy in France
- Central Walker Primary School visited their partner school in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Our Lady and St Anne’s Primary School visited Rome in Italy
- Gosforth Central Middle School visited Rajkot in India
- Tyneview Primary and Wallsend St Peter’s Primary Schools had a joint visit to Rome
- Sacred Heart Primary School visited their partner school in Rome
- West Denton Primary School had a cycling visit to Amsterdam in the Netherlands
- St John’s Primary School visited their partner school in Mallorca, Spain
- Broadwood Primary visited their partner school in Spain
The impact of international visits and experiences
From our research with parents, teachers and children who took part last year, we had very positive feedback on their experiences and the impact of visits (which are included in the international case studies section of our brochure, Empowering Newcastle’s Youth for a Global Future):
Since 2020, we have worked closely with the City Council (School Effectiveness) and schools to build up their awareness, interest and ability to establish international partnerships and their willingness to participate in the Turing Scheme.
Turing Scheme Round 4
There was an unprecedented level of interest in the Turing Scheme this year. International Newcastle and Newcastle City Council (School Effectiveness) ran briefing sessions, held 1-to-1 support sessions and helped with applications for schools who were interested in applying. 16 schools, including primary schools, secondary schools and specialist provision, applied to the scheme in March 2024. Funding decisions will be in June and for those who are successful, international visits can take place in from September 2024 to August 2025.
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 checking applications.
We have a strong track record and recommend schools work with us. Our support is provided free of charge.
You can find out more about the importance and impact of international links and visits in our recent brochure, Empowering Newcastle’s Youth for a Global Future, which includes case studies of local schools who we have supported to access Turing funding.
Newcastle schools report that being part of an international visit has a dramatic, positive impact on the pupils, teachers and families involved. These are opportunities that would otherwise not be attainable for many pupils in the city, especially those from disadvantaged and underrepresented groups.
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 or to establish an international partnership. Contact sarah.edgar@newcastle.gov.uk
We are awaiting announcements about any future Turing 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.
Schools can develop international links without going on visits, thanks to the opportunities of virtual collaboration, including joint lessons, joint projects and enabling children and teachers to get to know each other.
What does Turing Scheme support?
Pupils aged 4-19 years from UK schools can access funding to visit partner schools anywhere in the world (except British Overseas Territories) where pupils spend most of the time in the classroom.
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 is to many of our families as it enables 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.