LSIS Teaching and Learning funding – guidance for providers

1.About LSIS Teaching and Learning funds

2.Funding streams available

3.How to apply

4.Reporting requirements

5.Key success factors

Annex A: Application Form for LSIS Teaching and Learning funding

1.About LSIS Teaching and Learning funds

  1. The Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS)are pleased to invite bids from providers across the learning and skills sector for a range of continuing professional development activities.
  2. Projects will be funded from a number of “funding streams” and there is further guidance on each funding stream below. Providers should apply to the most appropriate stream.
  3. These funds are provided for SFA/YPLA[1]funded providers only. Staff must be delivering SFA/YPLA funded courses. The funds can be used flexibly, for example, for the release of staff time or venue costs. Capital items are not allowable. All staff participating in the project must be in a provider.
  4. LSIS welcomes collaborative applications – across subject areas and across providers.
  5. The overall aim of these funds is that they will be used to overcome barriers and provide additional opportunities for CPD in circumstances where otherwise it would not take place. All sessions must be capable of contributing to the IfL 30 hour (or pro rata) CPD requirement and include opportunities for reflection.
  6. LSIS would like to promote the outputs and approaches of successful projects where possible. This includes the development of provider “case studies”. If you are happy to be approached by LSIS about being a “Teaching and Learning case study provider” please indicate this on the form.

2.Funding streams available

  1. Cascade training: to run continuing professional development (CPD) to train up to 20 “change agents” (a minimum of 10) based on LSIS Teaching and Learning Programme resources and / or methodologies.

Further guidance, deadlines and criteria are available at regional Teaching and Learning Fairs.

  1. STEM CPD: to improve the quality of teaching and learning in and across the STEM subjects through CPD projects

Further guidance, deadlines and criteria are included in a separate document “LSIS STEM funding – guidance for providers” which will also be available online.

3.How to apply

What the panel will look for:

  • all proposal details to have been completed;
  • consistency with the key success factors and criteria listed in the guidance;
  • the project has the potential to secure significant improvements in teaching and learning practice or performance;
  • how the project will promote improvement in terms of professional development;
  • clear and measurable outcomes;
  • promotion of equality of opportunity;
  • good value for money.
  1. The application process is simple and will be completed online.
  2. To apply for the funding, visit the website go through to the appropriate fund.
  3. Once there, upload a short project application form (appendix A – see page 4 of this document).
  4. Deadlines for bids and LSIS responses are included in the specific guidance for each funding stream
  5. All applications will be judged on their merits by an expert panel.
  6. Upon approval, a grant award will be issued confirming the conditions for this fund.
  7. If the decision is taken to decline a proposal, the reason/s for the panel’s decision in all cases will be explained in full.

4.Reporting requirements

  1. Once the project is complete, providers will be required to confirm the details of who participated, and the number of hours of CPD provided.
  2. All projects will produce outputs which are sharable with others in the sector through the Excellence Gateway or other agreed website.
  3. Any specific reporting requirements will be included in the documents for each funding stream.
  4. Payment will be made to providers when the project plan has been agreed and the above details confirmed. Payment schedules are included in specific guidance for each funding stream.

5.Key success factors

  1. For projects to have an impact within the organisation, the following factors are key to success:
  • the application is supported by a senior manager in the organisation;
  • the project enables additional professional development training opportunities that would not otherwise take place;
  • the sessions include opportunities for reflection and contribute to participants’ IfL 30 hour [or pro rata] CPD requirement;
  • the project is focused and linked to the organisation’s improvement strategy in terms of CPD.

Annex A: Application Form for LSIS Teaching and Learning funding

To submit your application, please complete the form and upload it to the funding portal:

ABOUT YOUR ORGANISATION
PROPOSAL BY:
Insert the name of your organisation. If this is a collaborative bid, this will be the lead organisation.
REGION:
UKPRN:
from UK Register of Learning Providers

TYPE OF ORGANISATION (please indicate)
GeneralFECollege / Specialist Designated Institution
SixthFormCollege / Higher Education Institution
TertiaryCollege / Work-based Learning Provider
Land-based College / Adult and Community Learning Provider
Art, Design and Performing ArtsCollege / Provider Representative Body
Other (please specify):
FUNDING STREAM (please indicate which area you are applying to)
Cascade training(maximum £1,000) / STEM CPD(maximum £1,000)
STEM Cascade training (maximum £1,000) / Step up in STEM (maximum £5,000)
ABOUT YOUR PROJECT
PROJECT TITLE:
PROJECT SUMMARY (max 50 words):
  1. What are the specific aims and intended outcomes of this project?
    Please tell us what changes you hope to achieve as a result of your project and how will these be sustained.

  1. What are the main activities that you intend to carry out as part of this project?
    Please indicate anticipated start and end dates and key milestones in this section.

  1. How will the planned activities link to your organisation’s improvement strategy in terms of CPD?
    Please give brief details.

  1. What are the expected impacts and benefits for teachers, trainers or learners?
    Please tell us why this project has potential to secure significant improvements in teaching and learning practice or performance in line with IfL’s approach to reflective practice.

  1. How will the proposed project meet the specific criteria of the funding stream you have selected?
    Please address the specific points in the relevant guidance.

  1. Please explain how you intend to monitor and evaluate the project, including key activities and dates.
Please include interim and final report stages.
ABOUT YOUR BID
  1. Is this a collaborative bid?
    If so, please indicate the other organisations in your project management consortium, and tell us how you will ensure that any collaborative or partnership activities are managed successfully.

  1. Name of senior manager(s) endorsing the project
    Please include name of organisation and main contact details. For collaborative projects, please include one name per organisation.

Please indicate the amount of funding applied for:
Please include a breakdown to show major categories within the budget.
N.B. Capital costs cannot be included in these bids.
Application submitted by:
Please include name, role within organisation and main contact details.
Are you happy to be approached by LSIS about being a “Teaching and Learning case study provider”? / Yes / No thank you, not at this time

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[1]The Skills Funding Agency (SFA) and Young People’s Learning Agency (YPLA) replaced the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) in April 2010.