IDPE Online Community

Fundraising for School Leaders programme content

Module 1: Online seminar

16:30 - 18:00, Thursday 13 November 2025

An online twilight seminar delivered by an experienced development director.

What is development? How can development make a difference in your school and where does it fit?
Systems, structures and personnel: What is required to run an effective development function? What does it cost and how do you budget for it?
Asking for support: What should you include in a case for support? How do you make an ask and how to say thank you?

Speakers: Louise Bennett, CEO, IDPE; Simon Jones, Director of Development, The Manchester Grammar School

Module 2: Online seminar

16:30 - 18:00, Thursday 15 January 2026

An online twilight seminar delivered by an experienced development director.

Planning cycles for the short, medium and long-term: What are the similarities and differences between fundraising for bursary programmes and capital projects? Embedding a culture of philanthropy for the long term.
Measuring success: How do you measure your success and review your progress? The importance of KPIs and using benchmarking effectively.
The role of the head: What are the roles and responsibilities of a head?

Speakers: Louise Bennett, CEO, IDPE; Simon Jones, Director of Development, The Manchester Grammar School

Ask the expert

February / March 2026

Hear how a head and development director work together, some of the challenges they have overcome and the different roles they play to achieve development success.

Find solutions to some of the challenges you are facing; and learn more about how to work with your development lead to maximise on the fundraising potential of your school.

Ask the expert; session 1 - 16:30-17:30, Thursday 26 February 2026 Speakers: Nadine Latte, Development Director, and Jaideep Barot, Headmaster, Bristol Grammar School

Ask the expert: session 2 - 16:30-17:30, Thursday 26 March 2026 Speakers: Philip Britton MBE, Head of Foundation, and Laura Firth, Director of Development, Alumni Relations and Marketing, Bolton School

1-2-1 consultation

At a date and time to suit you

A 30-minute virtual one-to-one consultation with an experienced development director, giving you the opportunity to ask your individual questions and explore how best to apply best practice to your context.

Workbook

All delegates will be provided with a Fundraising for School Leaders workbook ahead of the first online session. The workbook has been designed to support school leaders capture the information relevant to your school's development journey. It is a working document, aimed to support you throughout the Fundraising for School Leaders programme; providing a reference point as to where your school is now, and a useful management tool to support you in asking the right questions to plan and measure the performance of development as you move forward.

Course speakers