Last year, the Herefordshire Community Foundation was pleased to support schools across Herefordshire to be part of Hay Festival’s Programme for Schools, through small transport bursaries from the Herefordshire Education Fund.  The first two days were specially curated for schools, blending fiction and non-fiction book events and inspiring live performances and offered free to all state schools with support from the Welsh Government and Rothschild Foundation.

In total, 6,315 pupils and 531 teachers from 124 schools and home educators across England and Wales attended in person and there were over 20,147 online attendances.

Herefordshire Education Fund assisted with travel expenses, enabling 3 schools to attend with 321 Herefordshire pupils benefitting.  Participating schools observed that the children were engaged and inspired by the author talks and workshops they attended.  These opportunities fostered a love of reading, improved literacy and increased reading at home. 

“A Y8 student, formerly a reluctant reader, got a signed copy of a book and finished it in a week!”  Whitecross High School

Herefordshire Education Fund has a limited number of bursaries available to support local schools participating in the Hay Festival 2025 Programme for Schools.  Grants of up to £500 per school are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.  Priority is given to new applicants.  Schools must be in Herefordshire to apply for this funding.  To apply please use our main application form.

Should you wish to discuss prior to applying, please contact the team on 01432 272550 or by email to grants@herefordshirecf.org

Every donation makes a real difference to Herefordshire’s communities. To donate to Herefordshire Education Fund visit our donate page.