Every school wants to offer enrichment. The question is always: where does the money come from? STEM workshops, equipment, trips, and clubs all cost something. But there are more funding routes available than most schools realise. Some are obvious. Others are surprisingly underused.
This guide covers the funding sources that primary and secondary schools in England are currently using to pay for STEM enrichment. No jargon, no vague suggestions. Just practical information you can act on this term.
Pupil Premium
Pupil Premium is the single most common funding source schools use for STEM enrichment. The DfE is clear that Pupil Premium should be used to improve outcomes for disadvantaged pupils, and enrichment activities that raise aspiration, develop skills, and broaden experience absolutely qualify.
The key is being able to demonstrate impact. If you book a STEM workshop, record which Pupil Premium children attended, gather their feedback, and note any observable effect on engagement, aspiration, or subject confidence. Your Pupil Premium strategy statement should reference the enrichment and its rationale.
Typical Pupil Premium allocations for 2025–26: £1,480 per eligible primary pupil, £1,050 per eligible secondary pupil. Even a fraction of this fund covers a term’s worth of enrichment.
School Budget (General Funding)
Many schools allocate a small enrichment budget within their general school fund. This might sit under “curriculum enrichment”, “educational visits”, or “professional development” depending on how your budget is structured. If your school does not have a specific enrichment line, speak to your school business manager about creating one. Having a named budget makes it easier to plan and harder to lose the money to other pressures.
PTFA and Parent Fundraising
Parent-Teacher and Friends Associations raise significant amounts for many schools. STEM workshops are popular items because parents can see the direct benefit to their children. A single fundraising event (disco, cake sale, sponsored walk) can cover the cost of a workshop day.
Tips for making the ask:
- Be specific. “We want £450 for a robotics workshop for Year 4” is more compelling than “we need money for STEM.”
- Show what children will get. Share a short video or description of the workshop.
- Report back afterwards. Photos, quotes from children, and a thank-you in the newsletter go a long way.
Charitable Trusts and Foundations
There are hundreds of charitable trusts in England that fund educational enrichment. Many are small, local, and undersubscribed because schools do not know they exist. Here are some starting points:
- The Ogden Trust: Funds physics and science enrichment in state schools. They offer partnership programmes and small grants.
- The Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT): Offers grants and resources for primary science, including funding for enrichment activities.
- The Wellcome Trust: Funds science engagement projects in schools through various programmes.
- Local community foundations: Almost every county has one. They distribute grants from local donors and often have funds specifically for youth education.
- Rotary Clubs and Lions Clubs: Local branches frequently sponsor school activities, particularly STEM and technology projects.
When applying, keep it simple. Most small trusts want a one-page application explaining what you want to do, who benefits, and how much it costs. They do not want a 20-page proposal.
DfE and Government Funding
School Improvement Funding
Schools in certain categories (Requires Improvement, specific MAT improvement programmes) may have access to improvement funding that can be used for enrichment where it supports the school improvement plan. If raising attainment in science or computing is a priority, STEM enrichment directly supports that goal.
Condition Improvement Fund (CIF)
This is primarily for building work, but schools that are investing in new STEM facilities or refurbishing science labs can sometimes include equipment and initial enrichment programmes in their bid. Worth exploring if you have a capital project planned.
Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) Central Funds
If your school is part of a MAT, there may be a central enrichment budget or a mechanism for pooling resources across schools. Some MATs negotiate bulk deals with providers, booking workshops across multiple schools at a reduced per-school rate. If your trust does not do this yet, suggest it. Providers, including us, often offer discounts for multi-school bookings.
Local Authority Funding
Some local authorities still run STEM enrichment programmes or have small grants available for schools. These vary enormously by area and change year to year. Check your LA’s education team website or ask your school improvement advisor what is currently available.
Business and Corporate Sponsorship
Local businesses, particularly in technology, engineering, and manufacturing, sometimes sponsor school enrichment. They get good publicity, community engagement, and potential future recruitment links. You get funded activities.
Approach this professionally:
- Write a short proposal explaining what the sponsorship covers and what the business gets in return (mention in newsletters, a logo on event materials, an invitation to the event)
- Target businesses with an obvious STEM connection
- Start with businesses that have a local presence. A factory down the road is more likely to say yes than a distant head office.
Combining Sources
The most effective approach is usually a combination. Pupil Premium covers the core enrichment for disadvantaged pupils. The PTFA tops up the budget so every child can participate. A local trust grant funds the equipment for ongoing STEM clubs. A business sponsors one high-profile event per year.
This spreads the cost, reduces dependence on any single source, and makes the whole programme more sustainable than relying on one pot of money.
What We Offer
Our STEM workshops are priced transparently and designed to fit school budgets. We work with Pupil Premium, PTFA funding, trust grants, and direct school budgets every week. If you want to see what a workshop would cost for your school, our instant quote tool gives you an all-inclusive figure in seconds. We can also provide the documentation you need for grant applications, including learning objectives, curriculum links, and impact evidence from previous schools.
