Raising funds for schools has become a way of life in Britain. We are used to collecting vouchers with our shopping for computers or sports equipment or supporting our kids' schools through raffles and "dress-down" days. But now the stakes have been raised. Schools are being encouraged to approach local businesses for sponsorship, the 14-19 Agenda will have children taking classes with companies in the community and schools are being told they must be prepared to open after hours for adults to take evening classes.
The school gates are being thrown open in an unprecedented way to the world outside. What effect is this going to have on staff and pupils? David Hanson - Chief Exec of Incorporated Association of Independent Prep Schools (IAPS), believes this is actually nothing that radical:
"Opening up schools to the community is something that has, certainly within IAPS, gone on for years. Schools that are open to community will say that the benefits far outweigh the logistical challenges that come that decision. The benefits are not just in the extension of learning or development of skills that might arise from community courses and activities, but just as importantly the school being seen as an integral part of the community. Learning does not stop at 4pm and developing a strong partnership with parents and the community is essential if we want young people to thrive. So in terms of a mind set, I think schools today are considered to be less intimidating and more welcoming and inclusive."
There is certainly evidence that by encouraging parents to use the facilities at school through Extended Services, a communication can open up that can benefit the children's education in the long-term. By removing the mystique surrounding the school building itself, parents are less likely to be intimidated by events such as parent's evenings or school plays.
However, schools do need to think about who they allow on site and where. "There are the logistical concerns, mostly focused on the security of the site and potential access to adults to inappropriate parts of the school," points out Hanson. "When I was involved in building Academies we put much effort into ensuring the school could be zoned securely.
The school also needs to consider how the community would best benefit from it being open to them. There are the practical resources of the site and its facilities, but there are also the staff who are also an amazing potential resource."
As well as holding evening classes and events in the school holidays, schools can raise valuable funds by allowing companies on site to sell directly to children and their parents. This is an area that needs to be approached with caution. While we are all used to vending machines, new guidelines have meant that the products stocked in them need to meet strict nutritional standards. But there are other creative companies that can offer a valuable service while providing the school with a needed boost.
One such is Twofeet, a team of professionally qualified shoefitters, dedicated to providing expertly fitted, quality shoes directly to schools. The health of children's feet are at the core of the company, it is widely recognised that fitted shoes are best for children's feet but it goes even deeper than that, wearing ill fitting shoes can lead to a number of ailments such as problems with knees, hips and backs in adult life.
The company's founder, Conor Quealy, is a father of three himself and has always been comitted to supporting his son's schools. For this reason, he felt strongly that the school should benefit directly. In return for the school providing facilities Twofeet are keen to support all schools through the National Schools Revenue Share Scheme and provide a donation towards the school funds for each pair of shoes sold.
Chris Leech MBE FRSA, a Corporate Social Responsibility Consultant has acted as a liaison between schools and companies who might want to communicate directly with them.
"The benefits I have experienced are broad. Many of the organisations I represent and who have used the schools facilities outside of normal hours, such as the rail industry, Serco and EMI welcome the opportunity to engage with young people on a more relaxed, informal basis. For example the British Transport Police have established far greater results in communicating with young people outside of the normal classroom environment, developing community forums led by young people for example. Due to the success of this they are then able to support other diversionary activities within targeted schools, at times when youth crime is at its highest. This can then generate additional funding for the school," he says.
However, Leech insists that schools need to be careful about who they allow on site. "Schools need to ensure that the organisations they invite are clear in what their objectives are and how they will deliver those objectives. Children are quite unforgiving therefore any organisation wishing to develop a partnership with their school, must ensure they have a clear strategy that will encourage participation/inspire/reflects and respects the values of the hosting school," he warns.
David Hanson also believes this area is one where caution must be used. "This is a matter for the parents, school and governors. However, I do consider schools to be a haven of calm, purposeful activity," he says. "School is one of the few places where young people are not being faced by the relentless onslaught of media and advertising. My advice would be to approach this very carefully."
Caution must also be used when sending children out to fundraise for their schools. It is essential that all staff and pupils know the rules of fundraising. It is essential to always get adult permission for any children up to the age of 16 if they're going to be taking part.
Schools must also ensure that the staff who are dealing with the events are trained and supervised beforehand and have a full understanding of who is in charge. Wherever possible, parents should be offered the option of keeping their children out of events if they prefer and offering a donation instead.
Council permission is required for any type of collecting in the street and this is usually only issued on the proviso that those collecting are over the age of 16. A licence will also be required if collecting is going on house ot house. Each child must also carry a certificate of authority and a collector's badge. This must be signed by each collector to verify their identity.
If all this sounds a little daunting, fear not. There are plenty of ways in which a school can raise funds by using some initiative and common sense. Members of the Incorporated Association of Independent Prep Schools have used some inspirational methods in the past. "Some of our members have raised funds by sponsoring a brick or sponsoring a roof tile. There have been sponsored events like mini marathons of course and more bizarre events which seem to appeal such as fancy dress, shaving beards and sitting in baths of beans," says David Hanson. "And then there is sponsorship from local business and industry - this is particularly good if the boss went to the school. Some schools have managed to get European funding for leadership development, or even grants to develop ponds, woods and community gardens."
