Financial and in-kind support

The Government recognises the benefit that employers can bring to educational establishments, and employers are actively encouraged to provide financial or in-kind support. The benefits are not one way: employers will gain a lot from the process too.

For a brief introduction to two important methods of financial help/sponsorship, read the information further down this page. Alternatively, click on these links for more detailed information:

 

Sponsoring academies

Academies are all-ability, state-funded schools established and managed by sponsors from a wide range of backgrounds, including universities, individual philanthropists, employers, the voluntary sector, and faith communities. All sponsors have in common a record of success in other enterprises that they are able to apply to their academies together with experienced school managers.

Academies seek to make a complete break with cultures of low aspiration. Higher-than-average numbers of academy students receive free school meals (FSM) and are from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Government's aim for academies is to bring skilled and expert sponsors from the voluntary and business sector, to raise standards by innovative approaches to management, governance, teaching and the curriculum.

There are currently about 200 academies in England.

For more information, see the school sponsorship page.

 

Sponsoring specialist schools

Specialist schools are an important part of the Government's plans to raise standards in secondary education.

Any maintained secondary school in England can apply to be a specialist school, and nearly 90% of state secondary schools have done so. This means that they receive extra funding to develop one or two subjects in which the school specialises.

Specialist schools work in partnership with private sector sponsors and with additional Government funding. They must raise £50,000 worth of sponsorship from the private sector, and in return will receive a Government grant of £100,000, along with additional money per student for a four-year development plan that each school must create.

Specialist schools outperform non-specialist schools by almost ten percent, even tough their intake of ability is similar.

For more information, see the school sponsorship page. 

 

Employer benefits for sponsoring academies and specialist schools

  • Raise educational standards in schools.
  • Create beneficial partnerships with, e.g. governors appointed to the governing board, and students through the provision of work experience and careers advice.
  • Gain valuable PR exposure.
  • Have the opportunity to put something back into the community.
  • Benefit from tax efficiency in donating to a registered charity: every penny donated to the programme is deducted against tax.
  • Get employees involved, e.g. through mentoring and governing opportunities.