- Two £15k pots funding available
- Aimed at helping children aged 4 to 18 years
- Guidelines live today
- Applications live from midday on 24 February
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is working with local schools and youth organisations to support Cheltenham’s children and young people who are facing challenges and struggling to take part in their school education.
The new NCLB grants will fund after-school activities for individual children and young people to help them enjoy a hobby or develop their strengths and skills – or access technology such as laptop and tablets to improve their learning opportunities and digital literacy.
Cllr Victoria Atherstone, cabinet member for safety and communities, said: “I’m delighted that NCLB has been able to launch these much-needed enrichment grants to support our young people that might need some additional help. Especially as a recent ‘youth voice’ report highlighted a need to improve digital safety, literacy and recreation opportunities, whilst recognising that access to finance is often a huge barrier.
“We hope these small grants will allow young people to follow a passion, take up a new hobby, join a local sports or creative group, or get hold of a laptop that will help their learning and personal development journeys.”
The funding is available in two streams:
- £15k for children and young people to access learning and develop their skills using technology
- £15k for children and young people to take part in after school activities
It’s aimed at school age children (4 to 18 years) who meet at least one of the following criteria: persistently absent or at risk of persistent absence from school or other educational setting (less than 85% attendance), special educational needs (SEND), or who exhibit disruptive behaviour in the education environment that make them at risk of exclusion.
Jon Millin, headteacher at Shurdington Primary School and chair of Cheltenham Learning Partnership (CLP), said: “Schools in Cheltenham have seen a significant increase in the number of pupils with additional needs at a time when the funding available to support them has not grown at the same rate. The enrichment programme will make such a difference to our young people and hopefully that can find out more about what excites them and enable them to develop their skill set.”
Funding is also available for organisations to deliver programmes offering support.
The guidelines are now live so that people can read about the programme and plan their applications in advance of the go-live date at midday on 24 February.
For more information and to make an application, please visit nclbcheltenham.org.uk or to contact the NCLB team directly, email nochildleftbehind@cheltenham.gov.uk.
