Support


gets really good at completing applications. It’s not as daunting as you might think. Most funders give tips as to what they’re looking for and offer past case studies. I’ve managed to get funding to buy digital microscopes, specialist teacher training for outdoor learning, and a defi rillator which will be sited just outside the school to give access to our neighbourhood even


when we are closed). To make it easier for us to apply


for grant funding, I’ve now set up a charity  riends o Cranbourne). This is well supported by our staff, as well as parents. We have a married couple who are both staff and parents, and they are an incredible asset as they have the will and determination of parents and the knowhow to make things work or our school. ur fi nance manager has taken on the role of PTA treasurer, which makes the banking easy as she sees the big picture of whole- school fi nance. There are often


really kind offers from parents when we do


need specialist help, or just an extra pair of hands. That’s not typically very forthcoming in secondary schools, as the playground culture is next to non-existent once the children are independently getting themselves to and from school. Some of the ideas that we’ve


already put into practice are working well. Our Wishing Tree, which lives in the library, comes out on display whenever we have a school event involving parents. The ‘wishes’ are simple requests from members of staff who need a bit of help with resources. We write them on specially designed tags that individuals can take away while they source the item they’ve chosen to donate. I generally recommend that staff make wishes for thing that cost between £1-£100, although we’ve got a couple of items that are a little over. Currently there are requests or wiss roll tins, a fi sh tank pump, help with set design for a school show, and a puppet theatre for an inspirational addition to our foreign


languages department. Eventually, I’d like to introduce a second colour tag for parents to write down what they’d like to offer. As soon as we established our PTA


we also set up a pop-up craft and gift shop, called Made By. Our stock is entirely made by staff, students, parents and friends and families of our school community. We have artwork, block-printed bags, knitted accessories, scented candles and button heart decorations. We even have an after-school club of staff and students who make greetings cards for us to sell.


‘Parents can hold the key to all kinds of


enrichment you can’t


otherwise aff ord in school’ It’s important to showcase all


these successes in your school newsletter and on social media as this will help others realise what they could be offering. Social media can also be a great source of support and ideas. I get much of my inspiration from Twitter as everyone involved in school fundraising is so keen to share and help others. Even as I write this, I have a parcel on my desk donated by an author I’ve chatted with on Twitter. It contains a wonderful stack of foreign editions o her latest childrens fi ction or our library. If you have suggestions then do tweet me and share ind me @WardyWardster. My ideas and pictures are yours for the taking!


FundEd AUTUMN 2019 23


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