The Enterprising Schools Podcast

The SEA Commercial Benchmarking Survey: What does it mean for schools and how can they use it?

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Ben Hope is the driver of the SEA's first ever Commercial Benchmarking survey - a hugely important piece of research which will help inform all schools about what great looks like and how they can reap the optimal rewards from their commercial activity. Ben, as Head of Research at the SEA, explains why this survey is so necessary right now, how it was created and carried out, and what it covers - and doesn't cover! He and Dorothy discuss how the research can be used in schools to drive change and - ahead of the big results reveal later this year - what more the SEA can achieve with it in years to come. The survey results will be shared at the SEA annual conference - for more details go to https://schoolsenterpriseassociation.com/annual-conference-and-exhibition/. The Enterprising Schools podcast is a Podcart production. The producer is Tory Pope of the Feast Collective. The Executive Producer is Jayne Morgan

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School Space: Are you making the most of your property assets?

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

From building lego classrooms to transforming Alleyns School in London, COO at Alleyns Guy Collins-Down has spent a lifetime turning school buildings into truly inspirational multipurpose venues. He looks back at the leaders and mentors who helped him build his vision, lessons learnt along the way, and lays out how long-term thinking will always pay off. He also shares tips and advice for anyone wanting to make the very best use of their own school space to bring in extra revenue. This episode was recorded at one of Guy's very own creations, the All-Pod studio at Alleyns. You can find out more about the spaces Guy has created at www.alleyns.org.uk and for more information about driving commercial actitvity in schools from the SEA go to www.schoolsenterpriseassociation.com. The Enterprising Schools podcast is a Podcart production. The producer is Tory Pope of the Feast Collective. The Executive Producer is Jayne Morgan

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Looking back to look forward: How can the SEA help the UK's schools generate commercial revenues?

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

In this special episode of the Enterprising Schools' Podcast, the tables are turned and the SEA itself goes under the microscope. SEA Founder, CEO and presenter of the podcast, Dorothy McLaren, takes the hotseat and is quizzed by Chair of the SEA and Operations Director at Denstone College, Leanne Chandler. They look back at the journey the SEA has taken over the last seven years, how priorities have shifted and changed as well as expectations for the future. It's a deep dive into what the SEA can really do for its members to help maximise revenue from non-fee income, with plenty to come away with about how schools can get the very best out of the organisation. For more information go to schoolsenterpriseassociation.com. You can also email the podcast team with your own suggestions of what you'd like from the SEA, email podcast@the-sea.org.uk. The Enterprising Schools Podcast is a Podcart production. The producer is Tory Pope of the Feast Collective. The Executive Producer is Jayne Morgan.

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Safeguarding: Barrier to, or enabler of, commercial activity?

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Is there a way to host commercial activities and events at schools, whilst still keeping everyone safe? What are the key considerations? How do we make sure staff, students, parents, commercial partners and guests understand and mitigate the risks? Jane Bee of Jane Bee Safeguarding is the SEA's Professional Advisor for safeguarding in England and has a wealth of knowledge and experience. Luke Ramsden, the Senior Deputy Head of St Benedict's in Ealing and the newly appointed Head of Compliance for the SEA, is committed to using his extensive hands-on experience to make safeguarding policies and practices work in a way that they enable rather than prevent commercial activity from taking place. For more information and advice on safeguarding, visit The Schools' Enterprise Association - www.schoolsenterpriseassociation.com or contact compliance@the-sea.org.uk. For Scottish-specific advice, you can contact Audrey Sime - https://schoolsenterpriseassociation.com/corporate_member/audrey-sime-safeguarding-consultant/. Jane Bee can be reached through www.janebeesafeguarding.com. If you have questions you'd like us to answer or issues you'd like us to cover, please get in touch at podcast@the-sea.org.uk. The Enterprising Schools podcast is a Podcart production. The producer is Tory Pope of the Feast Collective. The Executive Producer is Jayne Morgan

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Catering partners: Could there be icing on the cake?

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 01:00:00 GMT

Is your school really making the most of its school caterers? Could they offer more than school dinners to drive non-fee revenue? In this episode we hear from Noelle Jones of Lodestone House school catering company. She shares the ways the teams behind school meals can provide opportunities for revenue growth and experiences beyond the dining hall, and how to make relationships between commercial teams and caterers thrive. And Emma Tumelty of Bishop's Stortford College gives us an insight into how they worked with Lodestone House to really get the best out of their partnership - leading to a brand new cafe and school community space. You can find out more about what Lodestone House offer at https://lodestonehouse.co.uk/. And if you'd like to know more about Bishop's Stortford College, go to https://www.bishopsstortfordcollege.org/. For more information about The Schools' Enterprise Association go to https://schoolsenterpriseassociation.com/. If you have questions you'd like us to answer or issues you'd like us to cover, please get in touch at podcast@the-sea.org.uk. The Enterprising Schools podcast is a Podcart production. The producer is Tory Pope of the Feast Collective. The Executive Producer is Jayne Morgan

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Sporting partnerships: Working for the whole school.

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 12:11:32 GMT

Are there partnerships to be made with like-minded organisations which could really help your school and the local community thrive? That's exactly what Rydal Penrhos School in Colwyn Bay has achieved. Dorothy was invited to the opening of Rydal Penrhos all weather pitch, and caught up with Maria and Tom on how they got a sporting partnership with Hockey Wales and Sport Wales off the ground, resulting in a brand new facility for the use of the school and wider community. You can find out more about Rydal Penrhos school and all it has to offer here - https://rydalpenrhos.com/. For more information about The Schools' Enterprise Association go to https://schoolsenterpriseassociation.com/. If you have questions you'd like us to answer or issues you'd like us to cover, please get in touch at podcast@the-sea.org.uk. The Enterprising Schools podcast is a Podcart production. The producer is Tory Pope of the Feast Collective. The Executive Producer is Jayne Morgan

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The school shop: Make the most of opportunity

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 15:38:43 GMT

When someone steps through the door of your school shop, will they find something to persuade them to part with their hard-earned cash? Is a branded rugby ball available pitchside after matches, or a tasteful china school mug invitingly available for sale alongside the match tea? Matthew Henderson is a Trustee of the Association for Cultural Enterprises and brings years of experience working with museums and cultural venues. He shares how to really make retail part of the overall visitor experience, encouraging guests to snap up a school umbrella to shelter under or a branded water bottle as a memento of the game. More details about the Association for Cultural Enterprises at https://culturalenterprises.org.uk/, and if you'd like to visit the museum where Matthew began his career, more details here - https://www.beamish.org.uk/. For more information about The Schools' Enterprise Association go to https://schoolsenterpriseassociation.com/. If you have questions you'd like us to answer or issues you'd like us to cover, please get in touch at sea@the-sea.org.uk. The Enterprising Schools podcast is a Podcart production. The producer is Tory Pope of the Feast Collective. The Executive Producer is Jayne Morgan

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Making school shops pay

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 01:00:00 GMT

Does the school shop still have a role to play in creating revenue for your school? What are the key money-spinners, and how do you stay on trend with what pupils and parents want? With years of prior experience in the commercial sector, Chief Operating Officer at Glenalmond College Robert Garnish shares advice on keeping your school shop costs down and sales up, making the most of outside providers, and using the "Exit through the gift shop" strategy.

For more information about The Schools' Enterprise Association go to https://schoolsenterpriseassociation.com/.

If you have questions you'd like us to answer or issues you'd like us to cover, please get in touch at sea@the-sea.org.uk.

The Enterprising Schools podcast is a Podcart production.

The producer is Tory Pope of the Feast Collective.

The Executive Producer is Jayne Morgan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can small schools still be enterprising?

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 01:00:00 GMT

Should small prep schools be trying to create commercial revenue? What are the risks and opportunities? What impact could it have on leadership teams? CEO of the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) Dominic Norrish discusses why it's a crucial time for smaller schools to start thinking about enterprise. Plus, he offers some ideas which could work well, and explores the kind of investment necessary to bring those ideas to life.

Find out more about IAPS here - https://iaps.uk

For more information about The Schools' Enterprise Association go to https://schoolsenterpriseassociation.com/.

If you have questions you'd like us to answer or issues you'd like us to cover, please get in touch at sea@the-sea.org.uk.

The Enterprising Schools Podcast is a Podcart production. The producer is Tory Pope of the Feast Collective.

The Executive Producer is Jayne Morgan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The governors' role in enterprise?

Fri, 30 May 2025 01:00:00 GMT

Is commercial enterprise an area governors should be playing a part in? What experience and outreach could they provide? How do you make the best of those relationships?

Mark Taylor is Bursar at King's School Canterbury and interim Chair of the Independent Schools Council. He talks about what governors can bring to the commercial arm of your school and how to fully capitalise on their expertise. Plus, what is the best way to get them on board with your ideas and plans.

You can find out more about the work of the Independent Schools Council here - https://www.isc.co.uk/.

For more information about The Schools' Enterprise Association go to https://schoolsenterpriseassociation.com/.

If you have questions you'd like us to answer or issues you'd like us to cover, please get in touch at sea@the-sea.org.uk. The Enterprising Schools podcast is a Podcart production.

The producer is Tory Pope of the Feast Collective.

The Executive Producer is Jayne Morgan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bringing new ideas to traditional spaces

Fri, 16 May 2025 01:00:00 GMT

How do we drive change in an organisation steeped in tradition? How do you bring together school staff and business managers to properly understand they're on a joint mission? How do you get the ear of the head in order to push forward great ideas? Dr Joe Spence is former Master of Dulwich College and now CEO of The School Partnerships Alliance. He shares his years of experience leading some of the most prestigious schools in the country and offers advice on how best to protect the 'fragile eco-system' of a school.

Have a look at how Dulwich College does enterprise - https://dulwichevents.com/corporate-hire/

Find out more about the School Partnerships Alliance - https://schoolpartnershipsalliance.org.uk/

For more information about The Schools' Enterprise Association go to https://schoolsenterpriseassociation.com/

If you have questions you'd like us to answer or issues you'd like us to cover, please get in touch at sea@the-sea.org.uk

The Enterprising Schools podcast is a Podcart production. The producer is Tory Pope of the Feast Collective.

The Executive Producer is Jayne Morgan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sweating the assets: busting the myths

Fri, 02 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT

How do you make money through your school all year round? How do you partner successfully with your community? Are padel courts inevitable and is it ever a good idea to host a wedding? In our first episode, Dorothy sits down with Chair of the Schools Enterprise Association and Director of Operations at Denstone College in Staffordshire, Leanne Chandler, to get answers these and many more questions. Leanne shares tips and advice from her decades spent working in the sector, including her biggest wins and worst mistakes.

For more information about The Schools' Enterprise Association go to https://schoolsenterpriseassociation.com/

If you have questions you'd like us to answer or issues you'd like us to cover, please get in touch at sea@the-sea.org.uk

The Enterprising Schools podcast is a Podcart production. The producer is Tory Pope of the Feast Collective. The Executive Producer is Jayne Morgan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Enterprising Schools podcast

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 14:12:31 GMT

Are you involved in generating revenue for your school? We've got all the expert advice and insider knowledge you need to make the most of every school asset and drive that non-fee income.

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