Why do schools have to raise sponsorship to apply for specialist status?
Sponsorship is an important element of the programme. The sponsorship raised goes to support the school’s capital project to enhance the school’s facilities for teaching its specialist subjects. An applicant specialist school’s involvement in raising sponsorship will help them to form a valuable relationship with the private sector and it plays a part in developing the entrepreneurial spirit expected of specialist schools. An important feature of specialist schools is the close involvement of their sponsors in the development of the school – sponsorship is not just a one-off financial contribution. Sponsors can help to instil in pupils a spirit of enterprise, self-reliance, responsibility and motivation which will help to prepare them for success in their working lives. Sponsors can also provide valuable contributions in relation to curriculum development and delivery, work experience, and governance.
