The School Transport Bursary offers up to £500 per school to contribute towards transport costs for visits that include guided learning activities delivered by Durham Cathedral’s Learning and Engagement team. Transport costs are often a significant barrier for schools, and the bursary has been created to encourage first-time engagement with the cathedral.
The bursary will be available from September 2026 to August 2027 and will support eligible schools across the Diocese of Durham.
The bursary is open to schools within the Diocese of Durham with a high proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals and who have not previously built a visit to Durham Cathedral into their learning programme. It is intended as a first step towards building lasting relationships between schools, pupils and Durham Cathedral.
The Very Revd Dr Philip Plyming, Dean of Durham, said: "Durham Cathedral belongs to the whole Diocese, and we want every child to have the opportunity to experience it as a place of learning, inspiration and welcome. This bursary reflects our commitment to widening access and helping schools overcome practical barriers so that more young people can benefit from the rich educational opportunities the Cathedral offers."
Quote from Sarah Dellar, Learning and Engagement Manager
"We know that the cost of transport can be a real challenge for many schools. This bursary allows teachers to focus on the learning experience itself, confident that support is available to help them get here. We hope it will encourage schools to take that first step and begin a rewarding relationship with the Cathedral."
Sarah Dellar
Learning and Engagement Manager
The School Transport Bursary has been made possible through the generous support of the Friends of Durham Cathedral. Full eligibility criteria and application details are available below.
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