Let Teachers SHINE

Let Teachers SHINE is our flagship funding opportunity.

Each year, from October to January, we invite practising teachers from across England to submit their innovative ideas through a simple application process.

Winners receive up to £25,000 in funding over two years, along with tailored training and support.

The award is aimed at empowering teachers to develop and refine creative classroom projects that improve outcomes in core subjects for disadvantaged children in the North of England.

Applications for Let Teachers SHINE 2027 are now open. Please check this page for updates. You can also click the link below to receive updates by email.

How to apply

We have designed the application process to be as simple and stress-free as possible. Here's how it works:

  • Firstly, click here to read our application guidelines and to find out the kinds of projects we will and won’t fund.
  • Once you’re ready to begin your application, click here to open our application form. Don’t worry, it’s straightforward, and if you hover over the questions, you’ll find extra information to help you complete it.
  • You can apply any time between now and the deadline of 13 January 2027.
  • Shortlisted applicants will be invited to explain their idea, via video conferencing, to a small panel of people.
  • We are unable to give individual written feedback to unsuccessful applicants. However, applicants will be given the opportunity to call a member of our programme team at a specified time to receive verbal feedback on their application.
  • Keep checking this website for tips and further information.

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Application Guidelines

What we will and won't fund

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Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Let Teachers SHINE

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Top Tips

Useful advice for anyone applying to Let Teachers SHINE

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Sign up for Let Teachers SHINE updates

If you're interested in applying, we'll send you email updates about the opportunity.

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Shining stars

Some of the inspirational SHINE teachers delivering impact across the North

Lucy Huelin

Vocabulous

Studies show that 43% of Year 7 students arrive at secondary school with a poor vocabulary that limits their learning. During lockdown, York teacher Lucy Huelin conceived an innovative way of tackling the problem.

While creating her own online-teaching materials, Lucy began to envisage a fun and engaging online resource, for 10-13-year-olds, that would bring some of the benefits of learning Latin and Ancient Greek root words to all students, not just those in schools where classical subjects are offered.

Find out more

Evie Keough

Boromi

Evie is passionate about making play the cornerstone of early learning. She created Boromi to help young children and their families thrive through purposeful and meaningful play experiences.

With SHINE's support, Evie has created a nationwide community of in-school play libraries that help parents to support and nurture their child’s early development through powerful, purposeful play together at home.

Find out more

Olivia Richards

The Story Project

Following an insightful trip to America, Olivia became passionate about harnessing the magic of children’s stories to inspire lifelong wellbeing.

With the support of SHINE, The Story Project has grown from a germ of an idea to a successful social enterprise committed to helping schools deliver meaningful and impactful emotional literacy outcomes.

Find out more

Ebrahim Tafti

Arithmagicians

Maths teacher Ebrahim Tafti was inspired by the creator of Times Tables Rock Stars, Bruno Reddy, to develop an online programme to improve pupils’ confidence in arithmetic skills.

Ebrahim created a website to help children develop mental maths, a life skill he passionately believes can help people throughout their school journey and their adult lives.

Find out more

Amy How

One Tool, All of the Facts

Halifax-based Amy How has developed engaging ways children can use the rekenrek – a Dutch counting frame – to transform their number sense.

With support from SHINE, Amy has trained many teachers across Yorkshire in how best to use the rekenrek to help children to better understand mathematical concepts.

Find out more

Richard Cowie

Reading on Your Head

As an avid reader, Doncaster teacher Richard Cowie has always believed in the power of reading as a tool to elevate pupils’ potential and enable them to achieve their very best.

Support from SHINE is enabling Richard to develop Reading on Your Head, web-based reading support that children are able to access at home and in the classroom.

Find out more

Chris Williams

Chatta

In 2015, primary school teacher Chris Williams used his expertise in visual and language-based teaching to create Chatta, an online whole-class teaching method that incorporates pictures and storyboards to support spoken language and learning.

SHINE's backing means Chatta is being expanded to 50 schools across the North of England.

Let Teachers SHINE winners 2026

The latest recipients of funding from SHINE

Find out about this year's winning teachers and their exciting projects.

Read more

Let Teachers SHINE Project updates

Teachers invited to apply for £25,000 grants to bring classroom ideas to life

Applications for Let Teachers SHINE 2027 are officially open

Let Teachers SHINE, News

SHINE maths teaching aid helps schools improve attainment

Three primary schools have reported significant improvements in their maths results after using a SHINE-funded diagnostic assessment to identify gaps in pupils' knowledge and target teaching more precisely.

Let Teachers SHINE, News

SHINE project aims to reach 100 new schools to help tackle teacher workload

SHINE is supporting a teacher-developed platform designed to make marking more manageable while also giving students faster, more personalised feedback.

Let Teachers SHINE, News

A book a month is helping Poppy build a brighter future

How Nicola Crompton's project Reading Champions has made a real difference in Poppy's life

Case studies
Read more Let Teachers SHINE project updates