Does your state school organise 'alumni networking' events?

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My DC went to a state grammar school for sixth form. They have a relatively new headteacher who came from the private school sector. He has appointed a 'Director of Engagement' whose job seems to be to raise money for the school by encouraging donations from parents and alumni. He is organising a series of networking events for 'young alumni' in central London locations, targeted at alumni who would now be between 25-35 years old. There was one for alumni working in the finance sector, and there's another for alumni working in medical related careers. They're free to attend, but must cost a lot to organise, so presumably they're aimed at extracting donations that will more than cover their costs.

Is this common in state grammar schools?

A third of my old school are in prison, and most of the rest are claiming benefits or on very low incomes, not a penny to be made there 😂
I do give via alumni channels to my old university but that's a very different environment

Yes, grammars do this. Ours has a few alumni who have become famous in their field and support the school with certain subjects. Often the halls used will be gifted or set up by someone or events will be ticketed. If the school is renowned for some subjects the "extras" cost a lot to run at the level they do (inc various clubs) and require outside funding that the state doesn't give to organise trips and equipment. Completely normal and done to keep them oversubscribed, particularly if other schools are muscling in on with good results in their "core" subjects!

My ex’s school hosts weekend events for past pupils sometimes.

it’s normally part of their school summer fair.

but it’s very rural and basically everyone round about went there,

I went to a failing comp and no, nothing like this.

SLT in the state schools where I've worked do use alumni as motivational speakers and do reach out to alumni for work experience etc.

I take your point, however, that there won't be as much focus as in a school that can afford to appoint someone to a position where that's all that they're doing.

All I can say about my alma mater is that the recent cohort of SLT members have been very shortsighted indeed. Instead of saying to the children "Look! This is what pupils at your school have gone on to do...", they've settled for mediocrity at best and (away from the public eye) have turned to the "What can we do with our catchment?" mantra, totally ignoring the worldwide impact that some of the pupils from their "awful" catchment have had.

The catchment really isn't that awful. It has always been predominantly working class and historically the school pushed its pupils to do their very best. At some point along the way, the leadership went very badly wrong.

@Bloodysquirellls Yes I know exactly what the Arnold Foundation is and what it does! It’s not needed in a state school though is it?? Fund raising dinners for the big donors would not sit well amongst state school dc. State schools prefer to keep parents as a whole community and no special treats for the rich who fund bursaries. Or give scholarships to their dc and prizes.

I think we do need money in the state system and if parents are donating then not going to be upset about them being praised for that.

I think Arnold foundation does incredible work and very grateful to those donating to allow kids who can’t afford private to go.

I don’t see it in either context as divisive.

I think state schools really should do more of this. I’d have donated if they said we’re raising funds for x. And my school was shite.
Id not want to go to an event after all this time, and don’t live in the area, but id send them money.

Ive been to a few alumni talks from my uni and they always have a portion of the night for begging/fundraising.

I think OP said grammar, which has a very different catchment to average state schools and far wealthier parents than most.

@SmallDFartyCarNRG Not in Kent or Bucks. Not all grammars are super selective.

But grammar schools have a higher % of high income parents than comprehensive schools. They have notably fewer pupils on FSM.

@SmallDFartyCarNRG So does that mean they should not bother for their pupils then? You do realise alumni organisations are not just about money don’t you? I explained earlier that mentoring, supporting uni applications and work experience can also be assisted by alumni.

I think I’ve made it clear I don’t think “premier parent” clubs are ok at state schools because they aren’t raising bursary money, but surely parents really could assist fsm dc vis mentoring or work experience? You only have to read MN to know that movers and shakers curate their dc’s uni applications for courses like medicine and entry to Oxbridge. Why do we suggest comps cannot facilitate assistance for their dc from alumni? No wonder some dc don’t reach their potential.

The post is specifically asking about a grammar school and you came in with
"It’s not needed in a state school though is it?? Fund raising dinners for the big donors would not sit well amongst state school dc. "
I was explaining why it is more likely in a grammar than a state school due to the population. Parents who would have sent kids to private school a decade or two ago tutor instead these days to ensure kids get into their grammar schools. They tend to be more educated or have gone to private or grammar schools themselves, so they understand the importance of networking.

I am not sure why you are being so aggressive.

@SmallDFartyCarNRG I don’t believe swanky fund raising dinners are needed in any state school. I know how our independent school courted the very rich and it causes divisions. Generally standard grammars don’t have dc from
oil rich states or the very wealthy, so no, the grammar doesn’t need division and over the top wooing for money. I do know about grammars and private schools! I’m merely suggesting alumni give support as I’ve outlined and don’t go down a divisive route of having a special “club” for the rich.

It is an interesting take. Our grammar just wants money for science department equipment and subsidised trips abroad, but if you think it stokes division then I suppose we have been lucky that parents seem genuinely grateful.

The new statutory government Careers guidance requires an engagement with alumni

DC’s grammar schools don’t have someone in post for this nor do they have fundraising events for alumni. There is another one nearby that does have alumni events, don’t know if they make any serious money. Another grammar school in the next area has wealthy alumni that have funded quite a lot at I the school.

I really don’t like the idea of the awards being contingent on a paid seat at a dinner.

I was at grammar over 30 years ago, there were termly ‘voluntary’ contributions which were collected in front of the class so you would have felt very awkward not having it.

@SmallDFartyCarNRG All schools try and raise money! Definitely alumni should be contacted for help in terms of careers.

I’m talking about very overt wooing of the very rich by having dinners and events especially for them. I guess most posting aren’t aware of how this works in private schools. So the question is, is parental wealth to be targeted in this way by schools? Do you want special events for the rich so you know who they are? Or would you prefer everyone gets the chance to give what they can and there’s no Premier Parent league? I’d much rather see alumni events for fundraising but not overtly targeting the rich by giving them special events. I do see that as divisive. If people cannot give, that’s ok. They aren’t second class parents and might well offer something else to the school, as alumni can.