Teach Secondary Issue 14.2

such as those focusing on educational support or specific student needs. Don’t forget to also investigate any government funding programs available for schools, and above all, don’t wait for grants to drop into your inbox. Because they won’t. Instead, make use of online grant databases to search for any funding opportunities that match your school’s needs and location. Attending grant writing workshops can further provide invaluable tips and insights from experienced professionals. When crafting grant applications, be sure to emphasise those details that make your school and specific project truly unique . Articulate how the funding will be used as clearly as you can, while emphasising the positive outcomes it will achieve for your students. Tell your story, and make sure it comes from the heart. Keep inmind the kind of people who will be reading your bid. What motivates them ? Meticulous proofreading and writing to the bid criteria will also be essential for maintaining your bid’s credibility and ensuring that it doesn’t end up getting rejected on a technicality. Get everyone involved Remember that grant applications often have tight deadlines, so early starts are crucial. Building up your relationships with potential funders – by attending events they’ve organised, for instance – can significantly increase your chances of success. That said, it’s also important to remember that rejections are an inevitable part of the process. Learn from each setback, ask for feedback and be sure to refine your subsequent applications accordingly. Fundraising isn’t solely about acquiring funds; it’s also about fostering a sense of community within your school. Encourage active participation from all members of the school community, from students, to parents and school staff. If you eventually have cause to celebrate your school’s fundraising successes, see to it that you acknowledge and appreciate everyone’s contributions. Maintain transparency with your school community by keeping them informed of any ongoing and upcoming fundraising activities, and by making them aware of how previously raised funds are being utilised. Remember – fundraising should be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Embrace your school community’s creativity. Try out new approaches. Foster a spirit of collaboration wherever you can. With enough dedication, and perhaps a touch of ingenuity, you too could unlock the funding your school truly deserves. Now, go forth and fundraise! DFE CONNECT Originally introduced in April 2024, the government’s free ‘DfE Connect’ service aims to provide school leaders and SBLs with a central resource for DfE-produced guidance, data and resources.At present, access is only open to academies and academy trusts, though this will be extended to maintained schools later in the year. Themain headline feature of the service is its offer of a single sign-in for a DfE’s assorted services and information sources, developed in response to feedback from school leaders and SBMs that accessing these had often provedmuchmore involved and time-consuming than theywould have liked. DfE Connect instead presents registered users with a personalised point of contact for all DfE enquiries that seeks to provide: • A streamlined and straightforward means of checking upcoming submission deadlines and the support available • Customviews displaying content and information relevant only to the registered user’s specific role, setting and location • A less time-intensive way of logging in, completing forms and searching for guidance on specific topics The DfE’s hope is that the service will connect school leaders to essential data and guidancemore quickly, and reduce demand for the school data return and reporting services increasingly provided by third parties. As of January this year, DfE Connect will also provide users with direct access to all DfE grant and funding opportunities, plus a number of other additions planned for the near future. These are set to include newmaterial relating to school procurement, safeguarding and workforce management; optional alerts and communication tools; and a function for academy trusts to assist with delegating tasks and tracking progress. The DfE Connect service can be accessed via dfeconnect.education.gov.uk (DfE sign-in account required) Hilary Goldsmith is a school business leader, consultant and NAHT mentor “Fundraising isn’t solely about acquiring funds; it’s also about fostering a sense of community withinyour school” 45 teachwire.net/secondary L E A D E R S H I P