Newcastle schools are invited to attend one of two initial briefing sessions about the Turing Scheme on 4th and 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 (2025-26). 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 will open in February there is a six week application window. Funding decisions are likely to be in June for those who are successful, international visits will take place in the academic year 2025-26.
Book onto the online sessions
To book your free place on one of the online sessions by completing this form online and please select your preference for the sessions on:
- 3.30-4.30pm on Tuesday 4th February
- 4-5pm on Wednesday 5th February
Sarah Edgar (School Effectiveness, Newcastle City Council) will respond to you with the link for the session you have chosen, or both.
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 £1.7m from the Turing Scheme since it started and over 1300 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 2025-6 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.
