Launching an Equity Programme
Launch Materials
Below you will find some useful materials to assist you in your launch. You can add your logo and tailor them to suit your programme - but beware of changing any of the terms that affect whether your programme is an equity scheme .
Template letters
We have prepared a template for each of the key communication letters that you should be using in the launch process. All you have to do is personalise them to reflect the programme that you are launching and print them out.
These letters are not prescriptive - you may not need to use all of them, or you may have different means of communicating with your parents - they are simply there as a template and timesaver where needed. If you feel they could be improved do let us know so that we can pass on your experience onto other schools.
Do remember that any material you send or present to parents regarding your e-Learning Scheme should be sent for review by your Schools Liaison Manager first. This is to double check that it doesn't compromise any future Gift Aid claims.
Send us copies BEFORE you use them!
Cohort Survey
This has been designed to help schools research current levels of home access so that you can bid for funding, plan appropriate connectivity solutions and estimate likely parent contribution levels.
Invitation to Parents
This is designed to encourage parents to attend a presentation on project, get answers to any questions they might have, and sign up to make a contribution.
Parents Event
In order to ensure there is a consistent, and Gift Aid compliant, message presented to parents we have produced a brief video for you to run at the Parents Event. It is a requirement that this video is shown at the event. You can show it as part of your own PowerPoint presentation by embedding it or you can run it in isolation. The important thing is that you must show it.
The video has been produced in two formats .wmv (to run using Windows Movie player) and .mov (to run using QuickTime). Your School Liaison Manager will be able to provide you with a CD containing both versions of the video.
If you would like a preview of the video you can watch it by clicking 'Play' in the screen below.
Once the scheme has been presented, and Q&A sheets distributed, many parents will be willing to sign up there and then. Also send an amended version of this letter out to those who were unable to attend, or could not sign up on the night
Remember:
- Keep copies of all responses, as you will need evidence of parental contributions in order to claim your grant.
- Keep accurate records of your cohort, chasing any nil returns, as you cannot assume they have opted out just because they have not responded.
- Encouraging your parents to contribute by direct debit is a great way to ensure regular contributions, and reduce your administration burden. If you haven’t already signed up for our Donation Management Service, you can ask the e-Learning Foundation to collect your parents’ donations for you. As long as enough parents complete the Gift Aid declaration it shouldn’t cost you a penny!
