’d recently formed a team of pupil digital leaders, trained by the Childnet Digital Leaders Programme, to promote online safety. We were interested in this innovative approach to fundraising, hoping to reach a wider audience. We also liked that Rocket Fund is specifically aimed at the funding of technology to enhance the curriculum.
During the government’s 2018 Year of Engineering initiative, we had a visit from EduCE Technology, who showed us a range of new technology. The Roli Seaboard – a super-powered keyboard with 5D touch technology and 24 keywaves, allowing you to play in two octaves – was the most popular with our students. We are in the process of enhancing our computing curriculum and decided that Roli would provide a good link with music and offered a new way to compose and create.
It took one afternoon to make and edit our pupil-led video and create the pledge. We launched the project by sharing the video with the school community in assembly and on the website, which we kept updated throughout the four-week campaign. All supporters received cards made by the digital leaders, and trees were planted for those who donated £100. Anyone who contributed £50 was invited in to use the equipment and see the children composing.
Our target was £1,500, which we exceeded with the help of 53 supporters. We raised £2,025 in total, which has allowed us to purchase the Roli Seaboard and Lightblocks, with additional funds going to redesigning the school website, with input from the digital leaders. We hope this will give our students a platform to show their work to the community that has supported them in purchasing Roli.
When it comes to crowdfunding, it’s important to set a realistic target as this is an all-or-nothing approach and the target can be increased at any time. Also, stay confident – in week three, we were at only 62% of our target, but ended up with 132%! Finally, encourage donations by showing or demonstrating the equipment, where possible, to help potential donors understand what it is and how it will benefit the children and their learning.’
- Clare Rogers, computing coordinator, Little Chalfont Primary School, Amersham, Buckinghamshire (257 pupils)
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