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The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) is seeking applications from existing teachers for the new national scholarship fund for teachers before the 30 September deadline.

The scholarship fund will support scholarly professional development, programmes and activities that strengthen subject or special educational needs (SEN) knowledge and skills, giving teachers the opportunity to renew their passion for teaching and enhance their own career opportunities.

The new fund will also develop a culture of professional development where teachers are supported to progress further academically and deepen their subject knowledge.

The scheme is open to all teachers in England with qualified teacher status (QTS), currently employed in eligible schools. The scheme focuses on four main priority areas; maths, English, science and ..

The value of each award will vary depending on the type of activity funded, but the scheme offers a maximum scholarship value of £3,500. Around £2 million has been allocated for 2011/12 and it is anticipated that a similar amount of funding will be available each year going forward. We expect this exclusive scheme to benefit about 600 teachers, their schools and their pupils.

We anticipate that around 50 per cent of the scholarships will be awarded for and the remaining 50 per cent split between the three subject areas. The scholarship fund encourages serving teachers to pursue knowledge independently to masters level and beyond, however other highly valued continuing professional development (CPD) activities are not excluded. The first round of the scholarship fund applications will be awarded in December 2011. and the remaining 50 per cent split between the three subject areas. The scholarship fund encourages serving teachers to pursue knowledge independently to masters level and beyond, however other highly valued continuing professional development (CPD) activities are not excluded. The first round of the scholarship fund applications will be awarded in December 2011.

The fund will provide scholarships for teachers to extend their knowledge relating to (including specific impairments) and disability. Teachers do not need any existing specialism, including being an coordinator (SENCO), to apply for scholarships. fund will provide scholarships for teachers to extend their knowledge relating to (including specific impairments) and disability. Teachers do not need any existing specialism, including being an coordinator (SENCO), to apply for scholarships.

TDA Chief Executive Stephen Hillier said:

"I believe this new national scholarship fund will quickly gain a high status within the teaching profession, and will also have a very positive impact on the culture of professional development in schools and on children's education.

"There has been a lot of interest in the new fund already, with applications across all the priority areas. We anticipate continued high demand, but the application deadline of 30 September is fast approaching and we would not want teachers to miss this great opportunity."

For more information on the national scholarship fund for teachers, including how to apply, please visit www.tda.gov.uk/pdscholarship or call 0800 389 2500.

General TDA enquiries

Contact: Alex Walker-McClimens, TDA Media Relations Manager
Tel: 0300 065 6722
E-mail: mediarelations@tda.gov.uk
Out of hours: 0777 1934 629

Notes to editors