Funding available for schools in Norfolk
We’re pleased to announce that funding is available for local schools in Norfolk.
The Opening Schools Facilities funding is designed to help schools open their existing facilities so more young people can benefit. It also aims to support the wider community by partnering with organisations who can help deliver physical activity within these settings.
What is the Opening Schools Facilities funding designed for?
The Opening Schools Facilities (OSF) funding can be used for a variety of things, but is primarily aimed at encouraging schools to offer up physical activity opportunities outside normal school hours (e.g. evenings, weekends and holidays – though SEND provision can take place during lunchtimes).
We also want to increase swimming activities focussing on swimming and water safety, taking place both during and outside the school day. This can be for your own pupils but should also be offered to pupils at other local schools.
We will distribute funding via a grant scheme, aimed at promoting physical activity to those who find it challenging to access opportunities and achieve the daily recommended levels of physical activity.
Who are the target audiences for this funding?
The OSF funding is targeted at four audiences identified as those who would benefit most:
• People from lower socioeconomic communities
• Disabled people and those with long term health conditions
• Women and girls
• People from culturally diverse communities
Though in using the funding wisely, we would hope to benefit entire communities looking to participate in more physical activity.
What can and cannot be funded?
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about the funding. Please also see the application requirements section for further information.
If you still have questions after reading these, please get in touch using the form at the bottom of the page.
There are certain items that we cannot fund. The list below is not exhaustive but outlines significant items.
- Large scale capital costs
- Activities run during school hours (except for swimming and SEND provision)
- Activities that are already up and running
- Activities that can be funded by any other source of school funding (other funding sources can be uses to compliment this fund, however all funding must be clear on what it is being spent on and the impact it has)
How long is the funding period?
As a result of updated national requirements of our schools funding, we are now in a position to offer you additional funding over an extended period, as follows:
Jan ’23 – Mar ’23
This funding period has now closed.
Apr ’23 – Mar ’24
We expect this funding to be used for delivery and any other eligible costs for projects that run over the following three terms (Summer 2023, Autumn 2023 and Spring 2024.)
Applications for this period will open 8th May 2023 and will run until 19th June 2023.
Your application should clearly show your plans and budget split between the two time periods shown above.
Please note there will be the opportunity to develop your plans and apply for further funding for the period April 2024 – March 2025 at a later date.
We will work with schools to produce an appropriate and achievable application.
Opening Schools Facilities Application requirements
Please ensure you familiarise yourself with the following requirements before making your application.
Please ensure you familiarise yourself with the following requirements before making your application.
- Programmes must be co-designed with young people from your school / local community.
- Programmes must provide opportunities for continued participation following the end of the funded provision. We would expect you to signpost participants to the same or similar activities in your local community, following the end of their participation in the programme.
- Programmes must include community engagement (including co-designing with community organisations / local young people).
- Youth leadership and volunteering opportunities should be considered and incorporated.
- Minimum of a 12-week programme for indoor and outdoor facilities – with opportunities to continue after the initial period (Year 1 is exempt from this due to timescales).
- Minimum of a 6-week programme for swimming and water safety activities – with opportunities to continue after the initial period (Year 1 is exempt from this due to timescales).
- Indoor and outdoor activities can be delivered before school, after school, evenings, weekends and holidays (not including current curriculum or extra curriculum school activities).
- Swimming activities can be delivered both during the school day, before and after school, evenings, weekends and holidays.
- Activities can be delivered in holidays, in conjunction with HAF and other programmes, but must target new participants.
Please note: your safeguarding procedures will need to cover any activities included as part of your application. Health and safety should also be a consideration in your planning.
Get started with your application
To get started, fill in the form below and a member of our team will get back to you to discuss the funding.