Fundraising for primary schools in England – “Moving beyond the school gates”

In response to depleting budgets and intensified performance pressures, primary schools are increasingly turning to fundraising as one mechanism for combatting ongoing challenges. Although research identifies that two-thirds of primary schools are actively trying to increase their fundraised income, some primary schools are significantly more successful in attracting additional funds than others, whilst many struggle to stimulate fundraising efforts ‘beyond the school gates’. This article focuses on three case study schools, and the individuals tasked with the role of fundraising, which have each adopted different approaches in a successful attempt to increase their fundraised income. The findings propose that when primary schools pro-actively focus on their fundraising, invest in people both in terms of time and their skills, and create a positive fundraising narrative which embraces both the schools and local communities’ needs, primary schools can succeed in attracting significant philanthropic support which can be transformative for the school community.