Open to headteachers and UK secondary and primary school RE teachers,
teachers of RE to children with Special Educational Needs
Applications have now closed for the academic year 2023-24 and will reopen in October 2023 for 2024-25.
The Farmington Institute
The aim of the Farmington Institute is to support and encourage headteachers working on values and standards, and teachers of Religious Education in schools. The Institute awards Scholarships to UK headteachers and teachers of Religious Education in schools, publishes discussion papers and arranges conferences.
What types of Scholarships are available?
The Scholarships are divided into two types: university-based and school/home-based. Teachers who live within a reasonable distance of one of the selected universities or colleges may be awarded a university-based Scholarship. The academic facilities of the colleges and universities are available to Scholars. The selected universities and colleges are given below:
- Bath: Bath Spa University, Religions, Philosophies & Ethics, Department of Humanities
- Belfast: St Mary’s University College; Stranmillis University College; Queen’s University Belfast
- Bristol: University of Bristol
- Cambridge: University of Cambridge, Faculty of Education/Homerton College
- Chester: University of Chester
- Durham: University of Durham, St Chad’s College
- Exeter: University of Exeter, School of Education (preferably Spring or Summer term)
- Glasgow: University of Strathclyde, School of Education and University of Glasgow
- Lampeter/Carmarthen: University of Wales Trinity Saint David
- Lincoln: University of Lincoln and Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln
- Liverpool: Liverpool Hope University, Department of Theology & Religious Studies; and Liverpool John Moores University
- London: St Mary’s University, Twickenham
- Norwich: University of East Anglia, Centre for Spirituality & Religion in Education, School of Education & Lifelong Learning
- Oxford: Harris Manchester College
- Warwick: University of Warwick, Institute of Education, Warwick Religions & Education Research Unit
- York: York St John University
University-based Scholarships awarded may be taken in the form of day release for up to 30 days. The Scholarships are to be taken within university terms and Scholars will be assigned a university tutor.
Teachers with school/home-based Scholarships will be assigned a Farmington Tutor. The Scholarship may be taken in the form of day release, for instance for one day a week over a term or over the year, or for a continuous period up to a maximum of 30 days.
Who is eligible?
The Scholarships are for headteachers who wish to undertake research into values and standards in schools, school leadership, school improvement, or religious education; teachers of Religious Education and associated subjects in UK secondary schools and primary school RE co-ordinators or other primary school teachers involved in teaching RE, and teachers of children with Special Educational Needs who are involved with RE. Applicants should have completed at least two years in their present post.
What subjects may be studied?
Headteachers may study any subject that would be of benefit to their school. School teacher Scholars are free to study any aspect of Religious Education or associated subjects they wish but preference will be given to applicants whose work can be seen to be of direct value to the teaching of RE in schools. Occasionally the Institute, in conjunction with one of its partner universities or colleges, may advertise for an RE teacher to undertake research on a specific topic which is relevant to RE.
How much will it cost?
The Scholarship will cover the cost of tuition, essential local travel and, by negotiation with the school, the salary of a replacement teacher up to point 6 of the main pay scale.
What is required of the Scholars?
All Scholars are expected to produce an outline study plan of their project, which must be sent to the Farmington Institute before the start of the Scholarship. Towards the end of the Scholarship, the Scholar will give a presentation of their work at their university/school and again at our conference in Oxford in June 2024. All Scholars are expected to produce a written report on the work they have undertaken, which must be sent to the Farmington Institute on completion of the Scholarship.
During the period of the Scholarship, there will be regular tutorials and at least one visit to the Farmington Institute, for a Farmington Day which will be held at the beginning of the Scholarship year.
Scholars are required to attend the Scholars’ Conference before their Scholarship and the Conference after their Scholarship. Scholars who are still actively teaching RE will then be invited to all subsequent conferences. The 2023 Conference will take place from 23rd – 25th June and the 2024 Conference will be held on the 21st – 23rd June.
Applications
Applications have now closed for the academic year 2023-24 and will reopen in October 2023 for the academic year 2024-25.
Enquiries
Further information about the Farmington Institute, its Scholarships and the work of previous Scholars can be found on this website. Please contact us for other enquiries.