My LEEDS Schools Grants

In the spirit of putting culture into the hands of Leeds' young people, we are inviting learners to apply for a grant on behalf of their schools. When developing their proposal, learners should consider the Child Friendly Leeds Wishes developed in consultation with children and young people across the city.

Teachers are encouraged to share this opportunity with their learners and to invite a group to propose an idea. This could be a school council, class, arts group or any other existing or new group of pupils. Teachers can then submit the proposal via the grant application form.

We will be accepting applications from primary and secondary schools in Leeds. 33 grants are available, one for each ward in Leeds. The event itself doesn't need to be run by learners, but we would like to hear directly from them about why the event is important to their school and what the additional funding could achieve.

Examples of suitable kinds of events include:

• Talent shows

• School discos

• Sports days

• Art exhibitions

• School plays

The steps for participating in this project are as follows:

1. Present this project to a group of learners. This could be an existing group or club within your school, or a committee of students chosen by yourself.

2. Encourage them to think about how your school's event is run and discuss how the grant could be used to enhance it.

3. Help them form written responses to the application form's questions:

   • Please summarise the event at which the proposed activity will take place (50 words)

   • Please describe your proposed activity (250 words)

   • How will the proposed activity benefit pupils or the school community (100 words)

   • How many people will take part in the activity?

   • How many people will experience the activity as visitors or audience members?

4. Submit their answers with the online form below.

You’ll need to show how your event benefits your school and its learners, as well as explain how the grant money could be used to make it even better! You will have the option to add links to webpages or upload photos and videos to demonstrate your activity and help the panel understand your proposal if necessary.

If you need the application form in another format, email Aidan Riddell or call 0113 511 2023. 

Apply now

Applications will be reviewed by a panel of LEEDS 2023 staff. They will be assessed and shortlisted by the panel against a set of criteria which you can find at the end of this page.  

We will also be prioritising applications from wards who did not receive a grant during the first round of applications. The list of these wards is as follows:

• Ardsley & Robin Hood

• Armley

• Beeston & Holbeck

• Bramley & Stanningley

• Burmantofts & Richmond Hill

• Calverley & Farsley

• Chapel Allerton

• Crossgates & Whinmoor

• Garforth & Swillington

• Gipton & Harehills

• Guiseley & Rawdon

• Horsforth

• Kippax & Methley

• Morley North

• Pudsey

• Rothwell

• Roundhay

• Wetherby

Please note: the My LEEDS School grants project is small scale and sadly not all applications will be successful. 

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

• Does the proposed activity add to an existing event?

• Does it respond to at least one of the Child Friendly Leeds Wishes?

• Does it increase engagement in the Year of Culture?

• Does it give children and young people the opportunity to take part or experience culture?