Funding support for schools
Funding generously provided by The Oxford Trust is available to support schools with:
- visits to the Science Oxford Centre
- STEM shows and workshops in your school
- STEM kit loan
- CPD for teachers
This funding enables us to offer substantial discounts for Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire schools with the percentage of children eligible for free school meals (% FSM) greater than the national average of 24.6%* (published by the government for January 2024. Individual school Free School Meal data is obtained from https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk).
Discounts available:
For schools with FSM between 24.6% and 30%
- 50% discount on Science Oxford Centre visits;
- 50% discount on shows and workshops in your school;
- 50% discount on kit loans;
- 50% discount on in-person CPD.
You could, for example, bring a class of 30 children to the Science Oxford Centre for £150!
For schools with FSM greater than 30%
- 80% discount on Science Oxford Centre visits;
- 80% discount on shows and workshops in your school;
- 80% discount on kit loan
- FREE in-person CPD
You could, for example, book a full day of shows and workshops in your school for £68!
All schools entitled to these discounts will also be provided with free Science Oxford membership, which additionally provides:
- A first 2-week kit loan for free
- Access to our online CPD for free
Many of our children may not have access to resources and environments such as the ones at Science Oxford so this was an excellent opportunity for them and levelled the playing field with their peers and gave us a shared experience that we could continually refer back to and celebrate as a class.
FAQs
Why do you offer these discounts?
We recognise that for some schools, cost can be a significant barrier to accessing our programmes. We use the % FSM figures published by the government as a transparent and fair way to identify schools where additional support can most benefit pupils.
Who is Science Oxford?
Science Oxford is part of The Oxford Trust, a charity set up to encourage the pursuit of science.
Our schools’ programmes have been developed to inspire young people about STEM and to develop their knowledge and skills. We support schools in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire through our Science Oxford Centre visits, shows and workshops in schools, and via continuing professional development for teachers.
How do we apply for these discounts?
Please let us know when you book if your school falls into one of the categories eligible for discounts. We will check your school’s eligibility against the government’s published figures and apply the discount when we invoice your school.
Where does the funding come from?
As part of our strategy to support schools whose pupils may not otherwise have access to our education programme, The Oxford Trust’s Board of Trustees and senior team have allocated some of our own funds to enable us to offer these discounts. This allows us to offer continued and sustained support rather than solely rely on external donations to fund our work. We do however always welcome support from partner organisations via our Accessing Science Fund.
Are there any other requirements for my school to access this funding?
We always ask schools to help us measure the impact of our programmes, so we will ask you to support us in an evaluation process by completing an evaluation questionnaire shortly after the activity. This helps us develop and improve our programmes as well as secure further funding support in the future.
Where is are the percentage of Free School Meals figures obtained?
For the academic year 2024-25 we use the % FSM data published in January 2024 on the government website at https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk . Please contact us if your school’s % FSM figure changes in January 2025 such that it affects your school’s eligibility.
How long will this funding last?
This funding is currently available for the 2024-25 academic year.
What if the % FSM for my school is less than 24.6%?
We use the % FSM figures published by the government as a transparent and fair way to identify schools where additional support can most benefit pupils. If your school experiences other significant challenges we may still be able to help – please contact us at [email protected] .
What happens after my booking?
In addition to the substantial discounts, you will receive a year’s free Science Oxford School membership with benefits including free online CPD and a free 2-week kit loan. A year’s membership would usually cost £175!
What do I need to do next?
To make a booking, please refer to our website, or to discuss any aspects of this offer with us, call us on 01865 810000 or e-mail us on:
Shows and workshops in your school: [email protected]
Science Oxford Centre visits: [email protected]