Lack of time and uncertainty are common barriers in getting new ideas off the ground. Going at 100 miles an hour and juggling just as many jobs most days is understandably enough to dissuade most teachers from embarking on a Let Teachers SHINE project. It’s what holds back so many from taking that all important first step. If you’re reading this, you might be in the headspace for exploring whether your idea has potential and could it be funded as a Let Teachers SHINE project. Don’t let your idea get away or just sit there! Let Teachers SHINE is an annual competition, so if applying in this round is out of the question, what about planning something for next year?
There is plenty of guidance on the website to support you to see if your project idea meets our criteria. This is important, as the last thing we want is to waste your time in applying for something that doesn’t fit. Let Teachers SHINE is about nurturing great ideas that come from grassroots. It is about projects that have the potential to grow and be shared with other teachers and other schools to tackle some of the problems that exist in education. And this award is particularly aimed at supporting children from disadvantaged backgrounds living in the North of England.
We are hoping to support projects that can be easily scaled and good practice that can be shared beyond your setting. That’s why we limit how much of the budget can be spent on equipment. You can use the grant to support some of your time to allow you some space to work on organising and refining your project to help it grow and transform it into something viable.
Whilst the grant money is important, SHINE also offers you plenty of support, including a dedicated programme manager who you can sound ideas off, talk to when things aren’t going to plan, and who can help you along the way. We offer many opportunities throughout the lifespan of your grant for you to connect with other project leaders running similar projects. There is also the chance to take part impractical project management workshops, and opportunities for reflection and space to adapt. We have a retainer with a legal firm which can help you navigate some of the more complex matters, such as making agreements with third parties and protecting your idea, or perhaps, in the longer term, even setting up a small company.
We know that starting something new, entirely from scratch, takes a leap of faith. This is particularly challenging when there is so much going on already. If you are ready to let that great idea out, we at SHINE are ready to help support you to turn it into a reality that could really make a difference. Don’t delay! Let Teachers SHINE Applications are open until January 18 2022.