Closing Soon: Funding Opportunities in the Funding Finder
We’ve updated the Funding Finder with the latest grants and funding opportunities. The Funding Finder is your guide to funding and grants that help children learn and experience beyond the classroom.
Here are two opportunities with deadlines coming up soon:
Curtain up Polka Theatre
Closing date: Monday 19 October
Curtain Up is a subsidised ticket scheme that offers free tickers to school groups who face barriers to access live theatre.
Curtain Up is open to state and specials schools one or more of their criteria; more than 30% of their students who are eligible for Pupil Premium Grant (PPG), more than 40% of pupils for whom English is an additional language. Have a large number of children who have refugee status, a special school, or a SEN/ARP unit within a mainstream school, who face financial barriers to accessing theatre or find it difficult to give their students opportunities to experience the arts.
Different performances are available throughout the year and you can apply as many times as you wish.
Find out more and apply here.
The Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) Access Fund for Schools
Closing date: Thursday 22October 2026
Applications are now open for Summer Term 2027 visits, Historic Royal palaces is offering free and subsidised educational visits through its Access Fund, which also helps with travel costs.
The Fund is open to state-funded primary, secondary and special schools or units with at least 30% of pupils eligible for Pupil Premium and 15% of pupils with special educational needs; special schools are exempt from these criteria.
Visits are offered to Key Stage 1–5 and special school pupils. The Fund covers general admission for up to 105 pupils and a facilitated learning session. Schools outside London boroughs can also receive a travel subsidy of up to £2,100 depending on location.
Find our more and apply here.
Other exciting funding opportunities to note:
Generation Wild: A free school visit for your class designed for Years 1-6 to one of the wetland centres, including free transport. Apply here
PGL Breakthrough Fund: For schools with a high proportion of pupils receiving Pupil Premium or equivalent, PGL will fund 50% of the costs when booking an outdoor residential adventure with PGL. Apply here.
Time Odyssey: digital learning adventure created by the British Museum and Art Explora that takes 7–11-year-old schoolchildren on a journey through time and space at museums across the UK. Schools can also claim up to £500 towards their coach transport. Apply here.
For a full list of funding opportunities check out our Funding Finder.