DfE increases 'character' funding to £6m

Schools and organisations can apply for a share of the cash to help them deliver education initiatives that boost pupils' resilience and character. The funding is £2.5m more than last year, when £3.5m was made available.

The DfE has said £2m of this year's funding will be earmarked for projects with a "military ethos". It will look to fund approaches that will improve academic attainment, and develop traits that are "valued by employers" and that enable children to contribute to society.

Individual grants are expected to be between £50,000 and £750,000, and programmes that are eligible include activities such as sports, debating, or music.

Children's minister Edward Timpson, said: "Instilling positive character traits and academic excellence are two sides of the same coin – children that develop resilience are far more likely to succeed, not only in school but in later life too.
 
“Whether it’s fencing classes, debating clubs or drama societies, I want schools across the country to seize the opportunity to help their pupils thrive by broadening the range of activity that they offer.”