Training Courses and Masterclasses

Our classes are designed with you in mind, and we know they work – the testimonials and endorsements from fellow school leaders prove it!

We host dynamic and interactive workshops, giving you the absolute best opportunity to gain new skills, insights, knowledge and marketing to generating additional funds for your school or improving your marketing and communications.

There’s nothing more disheartening than attending an inspirational course but then not having the time or the space to implement the things you’ve just learned! We know that school life is relentless so we’ve carefully designed our masterclasses to ensure you will have the time to apply this new learning in the context of your school. Practical and based around real-life challenges, all our masterclasses provide resources, templates, and materials that you can apply directly into your school setting.

Justin Smith providing a marketing for schools masterclass

Income Generation for your School class

We’re excited to launch the Income Generation for your School Class. 

This masterclass has been designed to provide a practical introduction to income generation, empowering delegates with the confidence, skills and resources needed to introduce and sustain successful income generation in their school.

The masterclass is endorsed by the Institute of School Business Leadership and has been mapped against the ISBL Professional Standards. We’ve also teamed up with FundEd, providing unrivalled access to an extensive range of resources, ensuring delegates are supported throughout their journey.

Flexible delivery options are available, from face-to-face masterclass to on-line modules.

Discounts available to affiliated ISBL regional groups and ISBL members.

Income generation for your school masterclass

Winning Bids Masterclass

Our hugely popular Winning Bids Class is designed so that you can work on a real school project – maximising your time and providing fantastic value for money.

All courses are available as a day or half day with bespoke in-house sessions also available. Much of what we do supports regional school business management groups, providing a cost-effective way of delivering high quality CPD to your group members.

We’ve also developed some on-line tutorials, walking you through the essential elements of fundraising and marketing your school. Our introductory, bite size tutorials cover a range of themes including crowdfunding, grants, alumni engagement, business sponsorship and much more. We’re adding to our library all the time – view our YouTube Channel

Masterclass Workshops:

  • Winning Bids – Our specific class designed to provide you with the confidence to write your own funding bids. We explore the various sources of funding, the structure of writing a successful bid, the key to emotive stories to engage the funder and the importance of having a funding strategy.
  • In It To Win It - Our popular interactive workshop with all delegate materials and templates provided. Explore our Wheel of Fortune – the 8 ways schools can attract sustainable new income. We also consider a strategic approach to fundraising, develop a funding plan that engages all stakeholders, understand your core values and how to articulate your vision to commercial partners and how you can ensure your projects offer sustainability and stand the test of time. We also look at sponsorship and commercial partnerships and some simple ways you can engage with your community.

Marketing your Schools Class

Single Day or Modular Online

Marketing Your School. A class developed specifically to improve marketing, recruitment, retention, and revenue in schools. The workshop can be run as a daylong course or as an on-line programme if preferred.

The programme will cover:

  • Attracting more students to fill your school and close the funding gap
  • Recruitment and retaining the best staff
  • How to share positive stories about your school and engage difficult parents
  • Managing your school’s reputation online and handle communication in a crisis
  • Communicating your strengths widely and effectively while being GDPR compliant
  • Creating a compelling brand and vision across a school or MAT
  • Generating income from a variety of sources such as sponsorship, donations, and grants.

Discounts available to FundEd Group members.

Marketing your school masterclass
Guidance and expertise has been invaluable
“Over the last year we’ve worked closely with Justin to increase our capacity and capability for income generation and also to develop our own in-house bid writing skills. We’re absolutely delighted to have secured two grants totalling over £1.4m in recent months, which will be used to develop the infrastructure of the College. Justin’s guidance and expertise has been invaluable.” Stephanie Wiles, Director of Finance and Estates, Esher College, Surrey
Thanks for providing the confidence & know-how
“Just to thank you for the marketing plan template and to let you know we were successful in our National Lottery funding bid! It wouldn’t have even occurred to me to apply for this before your course, so thank you for providing the confidence and know-how to apply for funding. We’ll be taking many key learnings forward to help progress the school.” Roxana Kew, Greasley Beauvale Primary School
Invaluable training and support
"Justin's training and support with fundraising has been invaluable. Thanks to the training sessions and ongoing advice, I now have a good understanding of how to generate income through a variety of means, confidence in what I'm doing and a clear idea of next steps. Justin is incredibly helpful and friendly, has built my confidence and most importantly has a great sense of humour which means the sessions have not only been incredibly useful, they've also been lots of fun!" Karen Frost, Company Secretary and Fundraising Manager, Solent Academies Trust
Relevant, accessible – and fun!
“Thank you for making marketing so relevant, accessible – and fun! You are always such a knowledgeable, generous, and engaging colleague. The ultimate school marketing myth buster!” Nickii Messer, Business Management Consultant and Speaker
Consistently rated as the best trainer
“Justin provides training both online and in person to many of our groups, which cover local authorities, consortia, MATs and regional business management groups. He’s consistently rated as the best trainer / presenter they have used, probably because he is such a natural, engaging presenter but also due to his practical first-hand experience of working in schools.” Richard Manville, Managing Director, Community Inspired Ltd
Income generation is going to become even more important over the coming years
“I’m convinced that income generation is going to become even more important over the coming years. Justin is perhaps the best man I know who can help you take control of your future, without losing sight of the ethical values that make each school unique.” Robert Ashton – The Barefoot Entrepreneur
“We all came away really buzzing about the opportunities we have to take this forward. Your training was really clear, at a great pace and hugely practical to get us going on this journey.”
Susan Matheson
COO, Maritime Academy Trust
Have questions about our masterclasses? Get in touch!