Staff Innovation Fund

Backing exciting ideas

We provide funding to the school in a number of different ways and are keen to invest in good ideas from all sections of the school community that can bring benefit to pupils.

In September 2025 we launched a staff innovation fund which is an annual pot of funding reserved for ideas put forward by members of the teaching staff within the school. The funding is available for ideas that can drive forward attainment, boost educational engagement and experiences and which align with the core strategic aims of the Trust.

The development of this fund lies in our belief in the skills and passion of staff across William Ellis School. As a resource for all of the school community we are keen to be a part of bringing others visions for impact into being.

All applications will be initially assessed by our director and put forward to a three person panel consisting of two trustees and a member of the senior leadership team at the school. Our aim is for all decisions to be made and communicated by the autumn half-term with the funding being made available as soon as possible after this to allow the funded projects and initiatives to begin.

On Friday 17th October 2025 our panel met for the first time to review applications submitted by staff members at the school, we have currently agreed funding worth over £7,000 including;

  • Purchasing Raspberry Pi’s as part of a project to teach practical entrepreneurial skills to students wishing to learn about setting up a business - and the role coding plays in creating secure online profiles

  • Funding the costs of an EdTech subscription for Modern Foreign Languages - a core subject at the school. Last year, 90% of students sat a languages GCSE - and this resource provides cost-free access to high-quality learning materials for all pupils, as well as improving the communication between teacher and pupil

  • Funding access to music ensembles for pupil premium students through the next two academic terms to ensure they can access these enrichment experiences without having to self-fund

  • Purchasing 8 Chromebooks for the Drama department to allow pupils to explore the world of theatre online, as well as to ensure all pupils are able to complete key coursework in school