Access Fund for schools

The Access Fund for Schools offers your school the opportunity to have a high quality, immersive facilitated learning experience at an iconic historical site free of charge.  

Visits from Key Stage 1 - 5 students and special school students can be supported and the Fund covers the cost of general admission for up to 105 pupils as well as a facilitated session for all children at mainstream schools and up to 10 pupils from Special schools.  Adults accompanying students at HRP-stated ratios will also be included.  

Our travel subsidy scheme offers assistance with travel costs to our sites. Funds are allocated based on size of group and distance from our sites. You can find out how much you may be entitled to claim by using our travel banding map here.

In order to be eligible to apply Schools must demonstrate that they are a state funded primary, secondary or special school, and have both of the following:  

• 30% or more students eligible for Pupil Premium*;  

• 15% or more students with special educational needs*.  

  *these characteristics do not need to be evidenced by special schools.

Applications will open on Monday 22 April 2024. The electronic application form will be available on our website here. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. 

The Access Fund can cover places for up to 105 pupils per school. If you wish to bring along a larger amount of pupils they will be charged at our normal subsidised learning rate. Prices can be found on our website here- Schools | Historic Royal Palaces (hrp.org.uk) 

The Access Fund can support visits at Hampton Court Palace, The Tower of London and Kensington Palace. We recommend selecting a first and second choice site in your application form site to allow for more availability. If you live in Northern Ireland visit the Hillsborough Castle and Gardens web page for more information on their travel bursary scheme

Funding for the 2023/24 academic year has already been allocated and therefore we are only taking applications for visits in the 2024/25 academic year.

Upon being successful in your application you will be sent a booking form to book your visit. Visits can take place on a day of your choosing during term time between September 2024- May 2025 (subject to availability).  

We will notify you in the first week of June if you have been successful or not. We will then send out booking forms and more instructions about the travel subsidy scheme.  

Included in your visit will be admission of up to 105 pupils and the necessary amount of accompanying adults, a learning session for all your pupils, a travel subsidy (if located in band 2-5), 2 teacher planning passes and a place at one of our teacher familiarisation days. More information can be found about our learning sessions here.

Yes, absolutely we would welcome an application from as many schools as you wish. Unfortunately however we can only accept one application per school.  

Yes, absolutely, we would welcome a repeat application from yourselves.

Upon a successful application, your funding amount will be confirmed. Included in the booking form will be a space for the relevant bank details needed for us to pay your travel subsidy funds directly to your school 6 weeks prior to your visit date. Further details and terms and conditions will be confirmed upon a successful application.  

Please contact us at accessfund@hrp.org.uk.