Golden Key Academy 2026 Haringey cohort application form

Application form - Haringey cohort 2026

Application deadline midday Wednesday 14 December 2026
About the Golden Key Academy

The Golden Key Academy is a training programme for aspiring tour guides, designed to develop the skills, knowledge and critical thinking needed to lead engaging walking and cycling tours. Created by Open City - the charity behind the annual Open House Festival and the Accelerate programme - the course empowers guides to tell compelling stories exploring architecture, heritage and urban issues. Running from February to September 2026, the Academy provides everything a guide needs to craft memorable outdoor experiences that bring the city’s many stories to life. Read more about the course at open-city.org.uk/golden-key-academy
The Haringey cohort

For 2026, we are excited to offer 10 fully funded places to individuals representing the rich diversity of the area who live or work in Haringey (the usual course fee is £800). This is made possible through our partnership with London Borough of Culture, Haringey 2027. The Haringey cohort will be trained to become dedicated Haringey tour guides, developing and leading their own engaging tours and uncovering stories from people and communities whose voices are not often heard. They will be featured as a special series within the Open House Festival in September 2026, showcasing the unique stories and heritage of Haringey to a wider audience. This offer is part of the lead-up to London Borough of Culture, Haringey 2027, and we will prioritise places for individuals who are under-represented within heritage roles. People from the Global Majority ((Key Haringey priority communities include Turkish and Kurdish, Black British African Caribbean and Latine) LGBTQIA+ people, disabled people and those from working-class or low socio-economic backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply and we'd particularly encourage ideas for physically accessible tours. * There is up to £90 per person available as a contribution to travel costs for in-person training sessions.
Name*

First NameLast Name
Email*
example@example.com
Year of birth*
Do you live or work in Haringey?

YesNo
Please let us know about any other connection you may have to the borough of Haringey
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

City/town State

Post Code
What previous experiences, interests or skills make you a good candidate for the Golden Key Academy? (100 words minimum):*
Please outline why you are interested in this opportunity of a place on the Golden Key Academy and what you would you like to get out of the experience? (100 words minimum)*
Please describe a part of Haringey which you feel has a unique theme, place or story that would make an interesting walking tour (150 words minimum) :*
Creative activity: Please record a maximum one and a half minute-long video giving us a quick tour of something in the built environment you find interesting or inspiring. For example – this could be a tour of your home or work or community space, an inspiring interior, a green amenity or the exterior of a local landmark that you love. As part of your short video tour, please introduce yourself by name and say in a few words why you are applying for the Golden Key Academy. For example, you could share what inspires you, what you hope to learn or what draws you to the course. This is a fun and expressive activity designed to help us get to know you a little better. Your video doesn’t need to be edited, fancy or ‘highly polished’ -- just shoot it on your phone and have fun with it. Ideally this should take no more than an hour to prepare and record. please share with goldenkey@open-city.org.uk from your folder. Please confirm you have sent your application video*

I have sent my video
How did you hear about the course?: (required)*
Do you have any physical or mental health conditions or illnesses that have a substantial or long-term impact on your day-to-day activities? (Please tick all that apply.)

NoneSight (for example, blindness or partial sight)Hearing (for example, deafness or partial hearing)SpeechDexterity (for example, difficulty using hands or arms)Mobility (for example, walking short distances or climbing stairs)MemoryLearning (for example, learning disability or difficulty)Mental health (for example, depression, anxiety, etc.)Neurodiversity (for example, autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, etc.)Progressive condition (for example, cancer, multiple sclerosis, HIV, etc.)Other (please specify)Prefer not to say
Other (please specify)
Please describe any support you may need to help you complete the course
The following optional set of questions allow Open City to monitor diversity, supporting our ambition to deliver equality of access to all our programmes. What is your gender identity?

FemaleMaleNon-binaryOtherPrefer not to say
What is your ethnic group of background? Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh:

BangladeshiChineseIndianPakistaniOther Asian
Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African:

AfricanCaribbeanOther Black
Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups:

White and AsianWhite and Black AfricanWhite and Black CaribbeanOther Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups
White:

English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or BritishIrishGypsy or Irish TravellerRomaOther White
Other ethnic group:

ArabAny other ethnic group
Prefer not to say

Prefer not to say
Thank you for your application

Golden Key Academy team and Haringey London Borough of Culture team

Instagram: Haringey Collective
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