How do I get in to run an afterschool club?

[beetrootsalad]

I have a service that would be fantastic for an after school club but school offices seem like doctors receptions with whoever answers the phone doing their best to fob me off. What's the best way to reach the decision maker?? And would it always be the Head??

You may have. But they may feel they run enough clubs already. Also you say "service". So a paid club? If so they may feel not enough parents would pay. If it is a business then you need to produce documents to advertise it and send direct to the Head. Not call a receptionist.

Yes it would be the head. However, I would put it in an email. Our school has a variety of providers do you running s club would be fine-others have only one and don't allow others.

There must be an after-school club coordinator. Look on the school's website for the name of that person and contact directly.

To be honest, receptionists tend to know the school and head very well. If they're fobbing you off, they might be doing so as they know the club isn't needed/wanted.

What you need is contacts. Is your activity something you could offer as some kind of free session during the school day then once youve met the lead for your area (drama/music/science etc) you'll have a contact for potential clubs?

You may also find that primaries will want to keep making profits from their own after school club so may not want an alternative (hence fobbing off). Secondaries may not be able to offer after school due to buses / supervision etc.

Unless it is a very large school they may well not have an after-school club co-ordinator. In a small school there may be someone who does this role, without necessarily putting the info on the website. As Wolfie says, I would email the Head setting forth clearly and simply what you are offering and what the cost would be (if there is one).

One of their considerations is likely to be that it would require a member of staff supervising and there may be no one available or willing to do so.

Thanks so much for this. Can I get the head's email address easily enough, do I just ring up and ask for it but risk being fobbed off??

School bursar here, if you rang up my school asking for the heads email you would be quizzed and then given the school admin email. Then given the content it may or may not be passed to head or person who organises after school clubs.
My school in particular doesn't offer any external paid for clubs..parents won't pay sadly.
Do you offer your service elsewhere? Church hall, leisure centre..could you ask the school to distribute leaflets in book bags? Depending on nature of club, could you offer to do an assembly in school on it? May be more receptive to getting a meeting with the right person then in school to discuss further.

Why not email with details?