The beginning of the academic year is the time when most school owners/directors will be happy to drop some money into their school, and so if you are a school leader, this is a good time to get your plan together so that you can make the most of the opportunity. 

As most international schools are essentially businesses, things that are more visible to the parents and things that can be used to promote the school are more attractive to the business owner. This doesn’t mean that you have to spend the money on nonsense though, as there are many things that will please the owner, while at the same time adding to your curriculum and school culture. 

The question is, if asked, where should you direct the money? I’ve seen money thrown away over the years on short-term projects and plans that haven’t been well thought out, and so it is important that you take the time to choose wisely. 

Here are my suggestions regarding where to spend your budget for the coming academic year. Each of these things could easily be a post on their own, and I’ll follow up with them later, but here’s a few ideas just to get you thinking about what might be the best choice for your school. 

 

Invest in Technology

 

Technology is something that many international schools are pushing for at the moment, as school directors feel it modernises the teaching methods, and is also great for school marketing. Parents also want to see more technology in schools and it can be a deciding factor for them when selecting a school for their child. 

Before investing in new technology, make sure your school’s existing tech, such as computers and smart boards, are working well. You might want to invest there first, and also in ensuring your school network etc can accommodate your future plans. Many schools need new cables put down etc before they can even think of something like iPads. Laying the ground work and making sure existing tech is up to speed is essential if you want to start a development plan around integrating technology. It’s better to have a two year plan that works well than a one year plan that is marred by problems such as internet connectivity and broken printers. 

If your school doesn’t use technology at all at the moment, don’t waste money investing in iPads for every child etc just yet. Parents need time to get used to the idea, and teachers need time to integrate them effectively into their teaching. A classroom set that rotates is a good way to start. 

Teacher training is essential here. There’s no point putting tech in classes when the staff can’t use it. Invest in good quality teacher training specific to the technology you want to integrate. Apple do a good, free, teacher training program, but it may be possible to get trainers out in your area. Check with the companies that supply your smart boards etc to see what they have to offer. If you’re spending a lot of money, they are more inclined to offer training for free or at reduced costs. 

 

Invest in Playground Equipment

 

Playground equipment is a good way to spend money, and it doesn’t have to be a lot to have an impact. Students go home and tell their parents about break time, as it is important to them, and so it’s also appreciated by parents. 

It’s tempting to invest in large climbing frames and stationary equipment such as slides etc, but if you have limited space then this maybe isn’t the right choice for your school. Equipment that is flexible and which can be packed away into storage containers is great for playgrounds with limited space and a lot of students. Invest in things like hula hoops, large foam building blocks, pool noodles, soft gym balls, bean bags and cones. They may not seem like much, but students can use them for whatever they want regardless of age group. 

Local toy stores often have a wide range of cheap equipment that you can utilise, however make sure it’s soft so that you avoid any break time injuries. If you’re feeling creative, covering a wall with blackboard paint and providing chalk can be a great way to involve less sporty students, as can boxes of simple art supplies and scrap paper. 

 

 

Invest in Staff Training 

 

Staff training is always a worthwhile investment, regardless of the qualifications your team currently hold. Education is a field in constant motion, and continued professional development through staff training is essential in order to keep up. Have a think about what your team are lacking in terms of basic skills, and find a training body to come in and facilitate it. It could be something as basic as lesson planning, or something specific like training on running records, but so long as it is needed in your school, it’s a way to move your team, and school, forward. 

If you are investing in new books, it’s worth asking the agent if there is training available. If you are ordering a lot of books, chances are they would be willing to conduct staff training for free or at reduced cost. The same principal applies to things like smart boards etc.

If you are not sure where to start, basic first aid training is a great addition to your school, and not only meets international standards, but also provides a great marketing angle. Parents will be pleased to know that staff are first aid trained, making it an attractive investment. 

If you can’t get a budget for staff training, let me know and I’ll give some great ways you can provide professional development in your school at no cost. 

 

Invest in a New Subject/Revamp an Old One. 

 

Many international schools have gone down to the bare minimum when it comes to subjects, and this means that subjects like the arts are overlooked. Maybe this year it’s time to revive a much-missed subject like drama or music, or revamp an existing one that’s fallen by the wayside. Subjects like drama can be restarted with very little investment as they can be done with simple materials, however it’s important to find a good, enthusiastic and knowledgeable teacher. This is where the money should go in such cases. 

Subjects like music require more resources, however it doesn’t have to break the bank if you are careful in your purchases. If your budget is extensive and you are already a technology efficient school, robotics are a big thing now and will be dynamite for your marketing department. Remember that when revamping, restarting or introducing a subject, your staff are vital to its success. Make sure you are selective with staff, and be willing to pay more for a qualified staff member who will make it a success. 

 

Invest in the Library

 

School libraries were traditionally the hub of schools, but nowadays we find in many countries that things have changed and that libraries are outdated and forgotten about in some dusty corner of the school. This might be the year that your library comes back to life. Throwing some money into the library could not only revive your schools reading programs, but also serve as an important contribution to building a positive school culture. Before spending money, it’s important to know what you already have, so ask your school librarian to put together an inventory. 

Have a look at your schools reading program, for example Oxford Reading Tree, and see where there are gaps. It’s tempting to purchase a whole new reading program, however if you have a lot of books already, it’s more cost effective to simply fill the gaps with the same publisher, provided the books are still relevant. Contact the publisher and set a meeting, and don’t forget to ask about staff training and discounts. 

For general fiction and nonfiction books, it’s always a good idea to find out when the next book fair is in your area and plan to spend money there. Take business cards and hand them out to shops and publishers there, and network. If they know you are from a school, they may have discounts that you can take advantage of. Networking also means that you can reach out to them to contribute to school book fairs etc. Once you have built a good relationship, you will find that discounts and offers come more easily. If you have certain titles in mind and staff are going away over the summer, you could maybe ask them to purchase some on your behalf and stick them in their suitcases. This is often a good solution when import taxes are too high to make purchasing abroad worthwhile ordinarily. 

 

Not all schools are given a budget at the beginning of the year, and I’ve never actually worked at a school that has, however that doesn’t mean there’s no money available. If you don’t ask, you don’t get, and so prepare your plan and go in and ask for it. I’ve carried out many development plans involving spending money, but I’ve never been given a budget. Every time, I have had to ask for what I want, and you can do it too. If it’s something that will be good for ‘the business’, offer great marketing opportunities, and make the school stand out from the competition, it will be attractive to the school owner and your chances of success are better. Be prepared to explain your idea, hand over a plan, and defend your choice. Sometimes, all it takes is a bit of courage and a lot of passion to get the ball rolling.