Generating additional income for schools

 

Across the UK, schools face mounting financial pressure. Despite small increases in government funding, spending per pupil remains at or below levels seen over a decade ago. Schools are expected to deliver more—with less.

 

This course provides practical, proven strategies to unlock new income streams for your school. It’s not about adding extra burdens to already overstretched staff—it’s about smart, sustainable solutions that maximise your resources, tap into external funding, and build community support.

 

What Schools Will Gain: By the end of this course, schools will have a tailored income-generation strategy that:

• Maximises Government Entitlements: Ensure you claim every pound available

• Unlocks External Funding: Discover how to successfully apply for grants, awards, and competitions.

• Builds Business Partnerships: Learn how to secure sponsorships, affiliate income & more from businesses.

• Uses Your School Assets Creatively: Turn your facilities, staff and parents into reliable revenue streams.

• Drives Sustainable Fundraising: Move beyond cake sales and non-uniform days

• Implements Gift Aid: Claim an extra 25p on every £1 donated, turning small fundraising efforts into major wins

 

Session 1 – Make sure you are getting everything you can from the DFE - Pupil Premium – how to get everyone signed up. Online Free School Meals.   English as an Additional Language EAL

 

Session 2 – Capital & other Funding from DFE – Capital (School Conditional Allocations, Condition Improvement Fund, Devolved Formula Capital)  PE & Sports Premium Funding for Primary Schools, Other government grants

 

Session 3 – Gift Aid – What it is, Who can claim, What it can be claimed on, Record keeping & declarations, Cash donations, Aggregating claims for small amounts, Is it worth the effort?

 

Session 4 – Grants - Where to find them, Tips for applying for grants

 

Session 5 – European Funds - Erasmus/Turing Scheme, Structural Funds, Other European funds

 

Session 6 – Competitions & Awards - List of school competitions & where to find, How to find awards and apply

 

Session 7 – Affiliate programs – Ready made platforms.  Going direct - Amazon, eBay, Uniform, Business

 

Session 8 – Large Businesses –Existing suppliers, Amazon, Neighbourly, Banks/Building societies, Matched funding.

 

Session 9 – Smaller / local Businesses - Ways to make donations, Business links, Approach businesses, Due diligence

 

Session 10 – Generating income from existing resources - Grounds/sports/PE, Food Tech/kitchens, Textile etc

 

Session 11 – Skills –Skills of parents / governors / contacts etc.,  Skill donations, Skills auctions.

 

Session 12 –Fundraising  - Parental -School Fund donation schemes, Commissions, 100 club, Non Uniform days, Sponsored events, Old clothes collections, Voucher collections.  Session 13–Fundraising  - Non -Parental -Alumni, Public at large

 

Outcomes - By the end of the course, participants will maximise government funding entitlements for the school; identify and successfully apply for external grants and awards; build sustainable partnerships with large and local businesses; generate income from existing school assets, staff, and community resources; implement effective Gift Aid procedures to increase revenue; develop a comprehensive, practical, and scalable income-generation plan