Grants for schools
Schools are entitled to spend the bulk of their budgets as they wish, with most resources being allocated by formulae, not bids. Therefore schools that are considering making a bid should check firstly whether the resources they are seeking are allocated through a bidding process, and secondly whether it would be possible to fund their project by re-deploying the resources that they have budgetary control over. The DfES is currently reducing the proportion of funds that are allocated through bids, however where there is a bidding process schools might like to bear in mind the following points.
There are a large number of potential sources of funding which head teachers (or a designated member of the senior management team or bursar) can research depending upon their own needs, interests and existing contacts. In looking at projects which could be eligible for any of these funds, heads should set priorities in line with their school development plan. This will enable them to develop coherent bids which fit in with overall school policy.
Lottery funding
Lottery funding is made available by the following different providers:
Some general guidelines apply to all lottery funding, as follows:
- normally one set of lottery funding cannot be matched with other lottery money; it can be matched with funds from the Single Regeneration Budget or European Regional Development Fund, but the school must ensure that the project is eligible for that source of funding and if possible, obtain an agreement in principle, or at least have formally registered an application
- contributions in kind are acceptable (e.g. capital assets, buildings, land) and, while most lottery distributors would prefer to see some of the funding from a non-public source, this is not essential
- all the distributors provide packs of information and are willing to speak to those proposing to bid.
European funding
The European Union provides a range of different funding opportunities for organisations. Funding is split into two main areas:
- Structural Funds and Community Initiatives
- Community Action Programmes.
Of most relevance to schools are the education programmes of the Community Action Programmes:
- SOCRATES II, the European Union's main education programme
- LEONARDO da Vinci II, which covers vocational training
- Youth for Europe, which works to promote exchange partnerships between young people.
Further information on the European programmes can be obtained from the Central Bureau of the British Council.
Single Regeneration Budget
The Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) supports regeneration initiatives which build on best practice and represent good value for money. The responsibility for administration of the SRB lies with the Regional Development Agencies.
Projects funded under SRB need to be integrated and address a range of objectives which include enhancing the employment prospects, education and skills of local people, especially the young and those at a disadvantage. Types of initiatives can include those related to
- environmental improvement
- vocational skills
- supporting specialist English as a Second Language teachers in schools
- raising educational achievements (such as literacy and reading recovery projects)
- public private partnerships.
Trust funds
Although there are a few major trust funds, the majority, particularly the local ones, give small scale awards for items such as books, equipment, resources or travel scholarships. Schools are advised to research the funds first and only target those which fit in with their ethos and potential interests and which support their type of school.
Information on trusts, can be found from the Charities Aid Foundation Directory of Grant Making Trusts.
