Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) School Improvement Grant

The Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) School Improvement Grant is a Department for Education (DfE) initiative aimed at raising educational standards and breaking the link between young people's backgrounds and their future success. Key details include:

Objectives:

• Raise standards in all schools, focusing on those needing improvement.
• Provide targeted intervention for schools identified by Ofsted as requiring improvement.
• Use expertise from RISE advisers—educational experts with direct school improvement experience.
• Facilitate collaboration with high-quality organisations (e.g., local authority partnerships or multi-academy trusts) to support school improvement.
• Deliver bespoke targeted interventions lasting 12-24 months to ensure rapid improvement.

Target Beneficiaries:

• Schools identified by Ofsted as needing improvement or previously slated for structural intervention but had it revoked.
• "Stuck schools" graded as Requires Improvement or equivalent in consecutive inspections.
• Eligible schools are contacted directly by regional RISE teams; there is no open application process.

Application Process:

• No formal application; eligibility is determined through Ofsted judgements.
• RISE regional teams reach out directly to eligible schools and their responsible bodies.
• RISE teams coordinate support and funding for improvement activities.

Key Features:

• Grants fund activities arranged by RISE teams to support school improvement.
• Continuous monitoring by Ofsted and regular progress reviews by RISE teams.
• Part of the government’s Opportunity Mission to remove barriers to opportunity.
• Funding period runs from June 6, 2025, to March 31, 2027.

This grant acts as a catalyst for collaboration and improvement in schools requiring targeted support to raise educational standards and outcomes for all children.