Character grants available to help schools use sport to boost learning experiences

Schools that are using a wide range of activities, including sport and recreation, to help broaden children’s learning experiences and boost character can now receive a share of £6 million to improve their work, Children and Families Minister Edward Timpson announced last week.

Character grants, as they have been named, is a scheme that began in 2015 to fund schools and organisations promoting traits such as resilience and respect by using activities such as sports, debating or music to provide a rounded learning experience for children.

Last year’s character grant winners included Premiership Rugby, which received £500,000 to use the expertise of leading rugby coaches and players to instil character and resilience in disaffected children.

Children and Families Minister Edward Timpson said:

“Instilling positive character traits and academic excellence are 2 sides of the same coin - children that develop resilience are far more likely to succeed, not only in school but in later life, too.

Whether it’s fencing classes, debating clubs or drama societies, I want schools across the country to seize the opportunity to help their pupils thrive by broadening the range of activity that they offer.”

Proposals to secure funding need to be made by 23 June.

More information about the grants and how to apply can be found here.

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