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Partnerships with business can be an important source of advice,
sponsorship, support and educational experiences for pupils. You
may want to involve local or national businesses in your school's
Grab 5! activities. Relevant companies might include for example:
- Retailers.
- Farmers and growers.
- Food processors and manufacturers.
- Caterers.
- Industry bodies.
- Leisure centres, health clubs and sports clubs.
Some companies have developed special programmes and publications
relating to food especially for schools. Some have been highlighted
in this action pack. Others are already involved in supporting schools
through local Education Business Partnerships and Education Action
Zones. Others may be willing to work with you on specific projects
if you approach them directly.
Companies are in business to make a profit. It is important to
understand their motives, in order both to attract business support
and to decide if it is right for your school. There are many possible
benefits for companies in supporting educational and community initiatives:
- Improving image with the public.
- Raising awareness of the company and its products among pupils.
- Staff development and morale.
- Increased understanding of young people and local community
needs.
In turn, your school could benefit in a number of possible ways:
- Facilities to hold events and activities.
- Advice and expertise
- Publications, teachers packs and posters.
- Donations, loans or reduced rates for goods, services and equipment.
- Demonstrations and educational visits.
It is important to think through what you want and the benefits
to companies before you approach them. You will also want to think
about whether there are businesses you do not want to work with.
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Or maybe not!
Your school may already have a policy on relations with
industry. Questions you might want to consider include:
- What does this company produce? Does it promote junk
foods? Is it part of a tobacco company?
- How does it operate? Is it guilty of supporting oppressive
regimes, exploiting child labour or irresponsible marketing?
- What is its reputation locally? Does it contribute to
pollution in your area? Is it a source of local jobs and
services?
More Information:
www.ethicalconsumer.org is an excellent source of information
about corporate social and environmental responsibility.
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It may be better to approach a local company or one with a strong
local presence than a national or multi-national organisation. Local
businesses may know the school and may include parents or ex-pupils
among the staff. You may be able to approach these companies informally.
An initial letter of approach
- Find out who is the most appropriate person to address the
letter to, and use their name and their job title.
- Send a personal letter on the school's headed paper and signed
by a senior member of staff.
- Introduce the school and the project and explain the benefits
to pupils.
- Mention the support required and the possible benefits to companies.
- Be specific about the response requested. Is it a yes/no answer
to your proposal, a meeting to discuss ideas or a request for
a donation? You may want to include a pro forma for reply.
- Attach relevant and interesting material, for example a school
prospectus or relevant pupils’ work.
- You may want to include a letter written by pupils,
- If you have heard nothing within a week, follow up with a phone
call.
Working together
- Clarify the objectives of collaboration for the school and
the business.
- Confirm arrangements in writing.
- Agree on approval processes - will the company want to see any
materials in which it is mentioned, will the school be able to
approve press releases and publicity materials the company produces?
- Keep the business up to date with the project. Give progress
reports or invite them to events.
- If the initial involvement is successful consider other projects
and a more long-term relationship.
- Keep a central file of companies you have approached and worked
with. This will be useful for future projects.
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Business in the Community
can provide details of local business contacts. Contact
the Business Action on Education team on 020 7566 8736 or
visit
