Partnerships


funding, I provided the crime numbers from each occasion where children’s bikes were stolen, and, for the mental health funding, I used some of the phrases from the children themselves about the positive benefits they’ve received from support such as counselling. People pledge money because


they want to make a difference, so I highlight this in my request – help them to see the direct value of the money they give. I always give different scenarios for value-for- money, for example detailing the annual spending on maintenance costs for equipment or resources versus replacing those resources, or the cost and risks of doing nothing. Having said that, there’s always


something that needs funding! I regularly look at the criteria of various grants and match them to our needs. Our local councillors often have ward funding for the community and I can always find something that meets their criteria! Each councillor has £2,500 allocation for community use in their particular ward. Every year, I contact each councillor in our catchment areas and tell them what projects we have. Some of them have provided as much as £2,000. One example is where we received money towards replacing the sports hall floor, which has meant that we can hire the hall out for community use.


Which companies or organisations have you approached for funds and how did you identify them? As you know, we have strong partnerships with local companies, many of whom are contracted to work for the school and this makes it easier to contact them. We also look to local charities, particularly as the geographical proximity allows them to easily monitor the outcomes. We go to national government for capital funding, although this can have limited success. Out of 4,600 project bids last year only 1,556 were successful. Luckily, we were fortunate to receive funding.


What are the downsides of the constant push to raise funds? It can be completely soul-destroying! You know you’re trying to do the right thing, but people ask for so


Our planetarium enables us to share our expertise with other schools through CPD sessions


‘People pledge money to make a difference, so I


highlight this in my requests – help them to see the direct value of the money they give’


much from you before they’re willing to release funds. Take the mental health funding – I made it clear that it was to future-proof damaged young people and, initially, everyone I approached told me it should be funded by the government. But you can’t give up! Eventually, I secured the funding on the fourth attempt, having appealed a previous rejection by demonstrating there was no funding available from elsewhere!


What are your biggest fundraising victories or successes? Well, the mental health funding has to be the most significant. After a distressing anonymous note left outside the Head’s office by a student, I thought, there are kids out there that feel that bad and our hands are tied. If we couldn’t put the correct intervention in place it would negatively shape a child’s future forever. Someone had to help us. The most enjoyable fundraising


bid was for the planetarium. We’re the first school in Europe to own one! It was a dream of one of our science teachers that we’ve helped to fulfil. When the supplier in Israel realised that someone in education was going to use their equipment, they were so excited they gave us a $9,000 upgrade. We even had a message of support from the Royal Astronomical Society! The interest from our feeder schools and the look


of enjoyment on the children’s faces is what makes it all worthwhile.


What are the benefits to the school of raising these funds? In a very practical way, it’s about sustainability. I want to save a future headache of leaking roofs and broken boilers. But it’s also about providing future pupils with the best possible foundations for their education, where they have no disruption to learning and lots of opportunity for positive experiences. I said earlier that they don’t really know who I am or what I do, but that’s as it should be – they should have a seamlessly good experience of coming to school. One unexpected bonus is that the


school gets a lot of positive publicity for the work it does. The launch of the planetarium was reported by the BBC and ITV, and in local papers, and this just helps to showcase the good work that goes on in education.


What tips would you give to other schools that want to fundraise? Identify the need for funding and clearly demonstrate the outcome if no action is taken versus the benefits if action is taken. Be upfront about what people are getting for their money. And don’t give up!


Sam Baker is Head of Business and Education Partnerships at Mark Rutherford School in Bedford (1,236 pupils). He has established an award-winning education-business partnership programme with over 150 local and national organisations engaged in various ways in the life of the school and its students.


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