Website Tile Excellence in Education
Website Tile Excellence in Education

Excellence in Education

Inspiring excellence and high-quality instruction by investing in teachers, school leaders and programs.

Programs and Initiatives

Why education?

It is vital that young people receive an excellent education. We know that geographic and socio-economic factors can lead to unequal access to high quality teaching and resources. We focus on tangible solutions that strengthen teaching capability and whole school improvement, so excellent teaching and learning opportunities are accessible to more students. This work includes the ethical and equitable use of artificial intelligence in education; AI literacy and knowledge that can enhance teaching and support learning when applied thoughtfully. This is about equipping educators, particularly in under-resourced settings, with capabilities that improve outcomes and ensure students across the state benefit from high-quality learning.

Word Origins group

High-quality education underpins lasting impact, and the Excellence in Education pillar reflects our commitment to fostering outstanding teaching and leadership in schools. By investing in teachers, principals, and education programs, we ensure that every student has access to the foundations of learning and transformative learning experiences. Our work strengthens the capabilities of educators through professional development, school improvement initiatives, and the integration of future-focused skills such as AI literacy. These programs are designed to equip teachers with the tools they need to deliver high-quality instruction in a rapidly evolving world.

''Through education, the sky is not the limit – it is the starting point. Our job is to empower learners to reach for the stars.''

Annie Fogarty, AM Chairperson & Co-founder, Fogarty Foundation

DSF kids workshops0029

Our work strengthens the capabilities of educators through professional development, school improvement initiatives, and the integration of future-focused skills such as AI literacy. These programs are designed to equip teachers with the tools they need to deliver high-quality instruction in a rapidly evolving world. Guided by our principles, we not only empower individuals but also support systemic change, creating the conditions for excellence to thrive across the sector and lifting opportunity, resilience, and prosperity throughout the state.

Our Partners

Inspiring excellence and high-quality instruction is central to the Fogarty Foundation’s mission, which focuses on investing in teachers, school leaders, and principals to ensure all students receive a high-quality education. We are committed to supporting educators and school leaders in Western Australia, helping them guide students to reach their full potential. Educators are the architects of knowledge, and we aim to provide them with the support, resources, and connections needed to thrive in an ever-evolving educational landscape. The Foundation also drives innovative solutions, including the integration of technology in classrooms, to improve educational outcomes in an increasingly digital world.

  • The EDvance School Improvement Program started by the Fogarty Foundation in 2012 has inspired the creation of a new educational charity, 500 Schools. It aims to provide a transformational school improvement experience to 500 schools in disadvantaged communities across Australia. This new national charity will focus on dramatically improving student outcomes and wellbeing in 50 of the nation's most challenging regions. By supporting clusters of schools, the charity aims to address entrenched community-wide educational disadvantage. The Fogarty Foundation and the Snow Foundation have provided the initial funding to launch the campaign to grow access to high quality school improvement nationally.

    Learn More
  • Fogarty EDvance, launched in 2012 by the Fogarty Foundation and now run by Knowledge Society, drives school improvement in WA's low-SES areas. The Foundation remains actively involved, supporting leadership development and working with schools to improve student outcomes and ensure access to quality education for all children, regardless of postcode.

    Learn More
  • The Fogarty Foundation partners with The Smith Family to support two key initiatives that help Western Australian students experiencing hardship access educational opportunities. These initiatives focus on fostering talent in various fields, from sports and academia to digital inclusion, ensuring that students are equipped with the tools they need to succeed.

    • Learning for Life Program: Supports students in need by providing access to opportunities in arts, sports, leadership, and academia.
    • Digital Inclusion Program: Provides students with the digital tools and support necessary to fully engage in education and future job markets.
    Learning for Life
  • The Dyslexia-SPELD Foundation (DSF) is committed to ensuring all children receive quality early instruction in literacy and numeracy. It provides evidence-based training and assistance for teachers, focusing on practical classroom strategies and targeted programs. DSF also supports families, especially those with children facing challenges, through parent education initiatives and access to free or affordable resources.

    The Fogarty Foundation partners with DSF to enhance literacy through the Boost program for parents and the Talk for Writing project, developing teachers and leaders to improve literacy in schools. The Foundation also supports DSF's Improving Maths Outcomes Series (IMOS) and their Numeracy Screening Tool.

    Learn more about DSF
  • Day of AI Australia is a nationwide educational initiative created by MIT, i2Learning, UNSW and CS in Schools, designed to bring artificial intelligence (AI) literacy into Australian classrooms. It is part of a broader global movement that aims to equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to understand and engage with AI technologies.

    The Fogarty Foundation is excited to partner with Day of AI Australia to bring meaningful AI education and teacher training to Western Australia. Together, we are working to ensure that students and educators across the state have access to AI literacy that is informed, contextually appropriate, and co-designed with WA schools to respond to their unique needs.

    Learn More
  • The Fogarty Foundation Educator of Influence celebrates the support of those who have guided, shaped and encouraged our Scholars from their journeys in high school, to becoming UWA Fogarty Scholars and now graduates of the University of Western Australia. We acknowledge those who go above and beyond for the students they believe in and see their potential. The extra support you provide plays a huge role in these people's lives so we would like to thank you and celebrate your role into these journeys. 

    Learn more about the Scholarship
  • This program recognises the crucial role of teachers in achieving excellent educational outcomes. It helps develop teachers' research skills through the Postgraduate Research Forum and celebrates teaching excellence with the UWA Graduate School of Education Prizes, sponsored by the Fogarty Foundation. 

    • The Postgraduate Research Forum brings together students from Western Australian universities to present and discuss their education research, promoting networking and collaboration. 
    • The UWA Graduate School of Education Prizes support the development of outstanding educators.
    UWA Graduate School of Education

Featured Partner

Over a decade of partnership with the Dyslexia-SPELD Foundation.

At the Fogarty Foundation, we are proud to partner with the Dyslexia‑SPELD Foundation (DSF); an organisation delivering evidence-based programs, specialist tutoring, and professional development for educators across WA. 

DSF fills a critical gap in mainstream education, ensuring students who struggle with reading and learning get the support they need to thrive. What makes them remarkable is their ability to achieve extraordinary impact with a small team and limited resources; empowering schools, teachers, and families to continue supporting literacy long after initial interventions.

Teachers who understand and can utilise effective teaching strategies, who can manage their time and resources effectively, who have a deep knowledge of the content they are teaching, and who can create a climate of high expectations - are generally teachers who have had access to training, evidence-informed resources and ongoing support.

Mandy Nayton OAM, CEO, Dyslexia-SPELD Foundation