CELEBRATING THE IMPACT OF SCHOOLS’ DEVELOPMENT

Lou Bennett looks ahead to some key IDPE initiatives and encourages all schools to participate.

IDPE is committed to championing innovation and brilliance across the schools’ development sector. That’s why, this November, we will once more be holding our annual Celebration of Giving, supported by Hubbub. Taking place from Monday 13 to Friday 17 November 2023, this flagship digital event is an opportunity for all schools to come together and celebrate the generosity and support of their communities, and the transformational impact of schools’ philanthropy and engagement on the lives of young people.

On 12 June, nominations opened for the IDPE 2023 Development Awards, supported by the social archive. This year’s award categories are:

• Fundraising Campaign of the Year

• Engagement Campaign of the Year

• The Ambition and Progress Award, celebrating schools that have made a step change towards delivering on their vision and ambition for development (new for 2023).

Nominations will close on 29 September, with shortlisting in October by a judging panel of experienced professionals. IDPE members will then have the opportunity to vote for their favourite entry from the judge’s shortlist, and award winners will be announced on Friday 17 November 2023.

Taking part is a great opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the impact you are making for your pupils and their families, and if you win, an award can offer invaluable recognition and raise the profile of your school.

By getting involved in the IDPE Celebration of Giving, your school can take the opportunity to thank your community for making a difference and share your achievements with the wider schools’ sector as part of #IDPEGivingWeek. Additionally, across the week, meet and be inspired by colleagues and organisations working across the sector, and help us to raise the bar for best practice in schools’ development, by taking part in our series of online events, open to all schools (both IDPE members and non-members).

So as the academic year draws to a close, why not take time to reflect on what fundraising or engagement project you are particularly proud of? ●

Fundraising Campaign of the Year (5 years or less) –Bristol Grammar School

The 500 Campaign – a 10-year, £12 million campaign to provide at least a 50% bursary for one in four children, which raised over £1m in the first year of its campaign.

Fundraising Campaign of the Year (5 years or more) –Dragon School

Donate your Deposit – a scheme to raise funds for transformational bursaries. The school increased participation by 20% and quadrupled income from the previous year.

Engagement Campaign of the Year (5 years or less) –The Abbey School Reading Festival of Sport @The Abbey – a community response to help girls and young women find ‘belonging in sport’, involving 1,000 young people.

Engagement Campaign of the Year (6 years or more) –The Perse School

‘We’re with you every step of the way’ campaign – Y11 and Y13 students received a pair of Perse branded socks in return for completing the leaver’s form – the completion rate rose from 73% to over 90%.