IDPE 2023 Schools' Award for Ambition and Progress shortlist

Congratulations to our shortlisted schools who have made a step change towards delivering on their vision and ambition for development in their school. Read more about their campaigns below to help you decide who to vote for as your winner. Voting for all award categories will open on Monday 13 November, with the winners being announced on Friday 17 November.

Development within the school has been established for five years or less

AKS Lytham

Establishment of the Development Office and launch of the AKS Lytham Foundation

Since September 2022, AKS Lytham has established a Development Office to initiate alumni engagement and launched the schools new charity, the AKS Lytham Foundation as part of the school's strategic plan.

Bede's School

The Bede's Community, Together we can Transform Lives

To embed a culture of giving within every individual and group which makeup the Bede's community using our ethos as the cornerstone; to raise funds for 110% truly transformational bursaries.

The Abbey School, Reading

ARCH: An innovative new learning partnership


ARCH is a multi-school learning and engagement partnership that brings together individuals and organisations across Reading to offer opportunities and learning experiences for young people and young women in particular.

Development within the school has been established for six years or more

Francis Holland School, Sloane Square

Promise Campaign


The Promise Campaign, launched in June 2022, aims to raise £15,000,000 to double our current bursary provision by 2032, enabling 50 girls to benefit at any one time.

Loughborough Schools Foundation

Growing philanthropic ambitions from £85k to £3.3m in 18 months

In 2021, a new strategy was launched to increase philanthropic donations to LSF, leading to £3.3 million in 18 months. Before 2021, the average fundraising income per year was £85,000.

Royal Grammar School, Worcester

The Power of People and Stewardship for Sustainability

Reset alumni relations within the school, implement a new strategic alumni engagement programme (communications and events) in support of newly adopted, ambitious bursary targets and to demonstrate the impact doubling FTE resources.

Voting for the IDPE 2023 Development Awards has now closed. The winners will be announced on Friday 17 November at 15:30.

View the shortlists for our other awards

Schools' Engagement Campaign of the Year

Recognising best practice and impact within the field of community engagement


Schools' Fundraising Campaign of the Year

Recognising a school that has demonstrated creativity or innovation within a fundraising campaign