APPLICATIONS OPEN 7 AUGUST TO 11 SEPTEMBER 2023
Each year we offer the opportunity for eligible schools to partner with Schools Plus over a single year or multi-year period. The aim of the partnership is to build the capacity of School Leadership teams to design and implement evidence-based projects that improve outcomes for children and young people.
Our partnerships are designed to provide schools with resources and support they need to create lasting change within their communities, with a focus on evidence-based strategies and measurable outcomes.
This year, schools can apply for a Single Year Partnership or Multi-Year Partnership. Both Partnerships include:
- Single-year (1 year) or Multi-year (3 years) funding for schools to facilitate the delivery of a strategic project.
- Provision of coaching for the project leadership teams providing guidance and support to successfully deliver, evaluate and create a sustainable model for future strategic projects.
- Program management and evaluation support using tools and resources to effectively plan, implement, and evaluate projects. Helping schools to achieve their objectives and assess the success of their projects.
All successful applicants will receive this holistic support for their projects. Please click through below to learn more about our Single Year and Multi-Year Partnership Opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Applications for 2023 Schools Plus Partnership opportunities open 9am AEST, Monday 7 August and close midnight AEST on Monday 11 September 2023. Submissions past this date cannot be accepted.
- Your school must have a value below 1000 on the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA). Schools with no (zero) ICSEA value must contact Schools Plus to determine eligibility, except for special needs schools which are eligible. For current ICSEA values, see your school’s profile on MySchool at http://www.myschool.edu.au/.
- Your school must have direct student enrolments. A campus of a significant site does not qualify unless student enrolment is held directly at this campus.
- Only one project per school or school cluster will be considered under this round.
- Schools involved in a cluster application cannot submit a separate individual application.
- If your school has received funding and support through our previous Smart Giving (including Smart Giving Invitation), Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards or Fair Education programs your project must be acquitted by 30 June to apply. This includes any cluster schools involved in a project. Please contact us if you are unsure.
- Schools aligned with a not-for-profit body which holds Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status are ineligible to apply.
This year, Schools Plus is seeking applications through a Single Year Partnership or our Multi-Year Partnership. Both Partnerships include:
- Single-year (1 year) or Multi-year (3 years) funding for schools to facilitate the delivery of a strategic project.
- Provision of coaching for the project leadership teams providing guidance and support to successfully deliver, evaluate and create a sustainable model for future strategic projects.
- Program management and evaluation support using tools and resources to effectively plan, implement, and evaluate projects. Helping schools to achieve their objectives and assess the success of their projects.
All successful applicants will receive this holistic support for the successful implementation of your school project.
Single Year: Initiatives that aim to improve outcomes for children and young people in specific subject areas or address specific challenges for targeted groups. These might be short-term focused but with a significant impact within this timeframe. See the Single Year Partnership Guidelines for further information.
Multi Year: Initiatives that require an extended implementation phase to effectively lead to deeper, longer-term change for children and young people and the school community. See the Multi-Year Partnership Guidelines for further information.
- The round will open 9am AEST Monday 7 August 2023.
- The round will close midnight AEST Monday 11 September 2023 (late applications will not be accepted).
- Schools will be notified late September if they are shortlisted for further assessment.
- Shortlisted schools will be notified in October of the outcome of the assessment. Schools that proceed to the final stage will participate in a short phone interview to provide further details of the project.
- Interviewed schools will be notified in December of the outcome of their application.
- First coaching session aims to take place in Term 4, 2023 or Term 1, 2024.
We have a number of ways we can support you in submitting a quality application and encourage you to access all that is available.
Application Guidelines: We have developed Guidelines to assist you to submit a quality application. They include eligibility requirements, guiding questions and other important information to help your submission. Please read these guidelines carefully before applying for a Partnership with Schools Plus.
Project design support: If you would like to speak to an education professional prior to submitting your application to help guide project design, please email schools@schoolsplus.org.au to arrange a time to connect. This support is available between Monday 10 July and Friday 1 September. After that, a Schools Plus team member is happy to assist.
Application support webinar: A short webinar will be available to view from the 10th July. It will have key information about the two Partnerships as well as tips for submitting a strong application. We highly recommend viewing before beginning your application.
Schools have the opportunity to apply for a one-year project that is short-term, focussing on clear outcomes enabling schools to make meaningful impact.
All successful applicants will receive:
Funding:
- Up to $30,000 for an individual school project for one year
- Up to $60,000 for projects by a cluster of schools for one year
Coaching:
Schools will be partnered with a coach allocated from our team of education professionals. Schools Plus coaches provide an independent sounding board for school leaders and teachers beyond their education system. Schools Plus will provide schools with up to 12 hours of coaching over the duration of the implementation of the project (up to 12 months).
Program Management Support and Evaluation:
Schools will receive a Project Planning Tool to track the impact of their project. With the guidance of their coach, schools will create rubrics covering key areas such as activities, beneficiaries, achievements, and evidence, enabling them to effectively measure and assess the results of their project.
Types of projects:
Single Year Partnership projects will be:
- Projects that start in Term 1, 2024 and run for one year. Align with your long-term strategic school plan and be supported by the school leadership team
- Initiatives that aim to improve outcomes for children and young people in specific subject areas or address specific challenges for targeted groups. These might be short term focussed but with a significant impact within this timeframe.
Options include:
- Innovative projects that trial new designs or strategies that have a sound research base and the potential for significant transformational change within a defined timeframe.
- Extending an existing school initiative that is having a proven impact, or it could replicate projects where existing strategies are being tried in a new location or with a new group.
Please read the Guidelines for further information about what can be supported and the type of information we are seeking in your application.
Schools have the opportunity to apply for a three-year project that leads to deeper, longer-term change for children and young people and the school community.
All successful applicants will receive:
Funding:
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
| Single school | $30,000 | $30,000 | $30,000 |
| Cluster of schools | $75,000 | $75,000 | $75,000 |
Coaching:
Schools will be partnered with a coach allocated from our team of education professionals. The purpose of the coaching is to improve learning by building the capacity of leaders to develop innovative, high order strategy, systems and practices to effectively lead communities to flourish, grow and connect, within and beyond the school.
Schools Plus will provide schools with up to 12 hours of coaching per year over the duration of the implementation of the project. The first session will focus on deeper project co-design and will be a 3.5hr workshop.
Program Management Support and Evaluation:
Schools will receive a Project Planning Tool to track the impact of their project. With the guidance of their coach, schools will create rubrics covering key areas such as activities, beneficiaries, achievements, and evidence, enabling them to effectively measure and assess the results of their project.
Types of projects:
Multi Year Partnership projects will be:
- Projects that start in Term 1, 2024 and run over a three-year period. Align with your long-term strategic school plan and are supported by the school leadership team.
- Projects that require an extended implementation phase to effectively embed sustainable change.
Options include:
- Projects that seek to contribute new thinking and learning to the wider educational discourse.
- New projects that support the delivery of a strategy based on evidence, data analysis or research.
- Replication or extension of projects where existing strategies are being tried in a new location or with a new target group.
Please read the Guidelines for further information about what can be supported and the type of information we are seeking in your application.
Please read the Guidelines for further information including the four key questions that will be asked. We have provided some supporting information and we encourage you to read this prior to submitting an application.
The application link for each Partnership will be live from 9am AEST on Monday 7 August 2023.