Bursaries

Each AOTOS member is eligible for two bursaries within a five-year period but may only hold one bursary at a time.

The bursaries are intended for those who are experiencing difficulty in finding sufficient resources to cover fees. Examples of financial difficulty could be:

  • a young teacher just starting out
  • an established teacher who has taken a sabbatical or gone into full-time education
  • an established teacher experiencing unexpected financial problems or a change in circumstances.
Support available

Each application form asks you to describe why you need financial support. Most ask for another AOTOS member who knows you to write separately in support of your case. Contact the Secretary at secretary@aotos.org.uk if this is difficult for you.

We will assess applications against the eligibility criteria using information from the personal statement on your application. We may also seek the opinion of the AOTOS member supporting the application. All correspondence regarding bursaries will be in strict confidence.

Please note that we expect to receive a greater number of applications than we have bursaries available and not all applications may be successful.

Membership bursaries

Applications will be assessed by the Chair, Chair Elect and Secretary.

Covid 19 Bursary

To cover the cost of one year's AOTOS membership or the conference fee for one day at a national conference for a current AOTOS member in financial need due to COVID 19. Travel and accommodation expenses not included.

  • Open to members who held current membership at 23 March 2020

Mollie Petrie Bursary

To cover the cost of two years’ AOTOS membership for a teacher under the age of 28.
• Open to members and non-members
• Currently closed for application

Coral Gould MBECoral Gould Bursary

To cover the cost of two years’ AOTOS membership for a current AOTOS member who has returned to part-time education.
• Open to members only
• Currently closed for application

Margaret Hopes Bursary

To cover the cost of one year’s AOTOS membership for a current AOTOS member of any age in financial need.
• Open to members only
• Currently closed for application

Hazel Wood Bursary

To cover the cost of one year’s AOTOS membership for a current AOTOS member with a recently diagnosed serious illness.
• Open to members only
• Currently closed for application

Event bursaries

Applications will be assessed by the Chair, Chair Elect and Secretary.

Norman Tattersall Bursary

To cover the cost of the conference fee for one day at a Summer or Autumn Conference. Travel and accommodation expenses are not included.
• Open to members only
• Deadlines for application: to be received before the end of the relevant 'early bird' booking period or six weeks before an event. See individual event for deadline.

Liza HobbsLiza Hobbs Bursary

To cover the fee for an Area Professional Development Day (five available – one for each area). Travel and accommodation expenses are not included.
• Open to members only
• Deadline for application: a month before the date of each Area Day.

Paul Deegan Bursary

To put towards the fee or expenses for one member to attend an EVTA event.

• Open to members only
• Deadline for application: two months before the event.

Training bursaries

Applications will be assessed by the Training Director and Secretary.

Dorothy Richardson Bursary

To cover the cost of the online Essentials Course.
• Open to members and non-members (one award per course)
• Deadline for application: one month before course start date, subject to spaces being available

There are 12 spaces available on each Essentials course. A place will be reserved on receipt of completed bursary form so we encourage early application.