Wiltshire Schools Newsletter December 2025
Friday December 5th 2025
Wilshire Schools Updates
Don’t forget to keep visiting your live Bulletin Board for up-to-date information : HERE
Tuition Bursary Portal
Bursary Portal Reopening – January 2026 Applications
As you are aware, we closed the application portal due to exceptionally high demand. We are pleased to announce that we have secured additional funding and will reopen the portal for January 2026 applications (covering Terms 3, 4, 5, and 6).
Priority will be given to schools that missed the initial deadline or were unable to apply during the first round. Please note that funding remains limited, and the portal will close once all funds have been allocated.
If you currently receive financial bursaries, please be aware that your application may not be successful due to our priority allocation system.
Mega Conference
Its not too late to register for the GSW Mega Conference!
To book your place contact sscotford@smscio.co.uk
Don’t Miss Our Exciting Breakout Workshop Programme!
Choose from an extensive range of practical sessions designed to inspire and support your teaching, including:
- Charanga and Music First – explore leading digital platforms
- Music Assessment in Schools – effective strategies for measuring progress
- Inclusive Music-Making – ensuring every child can participate
- Extra-Curricular Music Ideas – fresh approaches to enrichment activities
- Composition and Improvisation – developing creativity in the classroom
- Music in the Early Years – building strong foundations
- Notation – making reading music accessible
- …and many more!
Inspiring Keynote Speakers
We’re delighted to welcome James Sills and Rachel Shapley as our keynote speakers. Discover more about their work and expertise by scanning the QR code on the conference poster.
Grants for Schools
In January we are launching a Grant D application process through your Glide Portal (the one you apply for Tuition Bursaries, Fist Access etc). You can see more HERE
Don’t know who your Schools Cluster Coordinator is? Find out here and how to contact them HERE
External Funding opportunities
Funding to Aid the Career Progression of School Music Teachers (UK)
The Universal Music UK Sound Foundation (UMUKSF) has launched a new funding round to enable teachers across the UK and Ireland to apply for grants of up to £1,000 towards the cost of a one-off music course or training.
The UMUKSF Teacher Awards will provide the funding towards a recognised course, training or a qualification to aid the career progression of school music teachers delivering the national curriculum.
To date, the Foundation has awarded grants to over 7,000 schools, individual students and teachers to improve their access to music.
Teachers interested in applying for support, should email umuksoundfoundation@umusic.com with a brief explanation of the course/training they would like to undertake and details of their current job. Those eligible to apply will be sent an application form.
The application deadline is 1pm on 27 February 2026.
Useful Links:
Application Hints and Tips (AI Generated)
https://www.umuksoundfoundation.com/umuksf-teacher-awards/
TWINKL COMMUNITY COLLECTION SCHEME – the educational technology Twinkl is giving teachers the chance to win up to £20,000 towards an educational project they are involved in – whether that’s a new music room, a field trip, or new classroom materials. An additional £20,000 of funding will be awarded to smaller projects spread across the UK. Teachers across the United Kingdom who have a great idea that could transform learning in their setting are invited to pitch their classroom project or equipment request to Twinkl. Teachers can apply until Wednesday 31st December 2025. The direct route to today’s website item is via this LINK.