Funding & Bid-Writing Support

Flexible funding support for schools, academies, trusts, colleges and educational charities, from identifying suitable opportunities through to developing strong applications and reporting on successful projects.

Funding Research

Finding the right funding opportunity can be time-consuming. I can research grants and funding streams that align with your organisation’s priorities, projects and strategic objectives.

Support includes:

✓ Funding searches
✓ Grant and funder identification
✓ Funding alerts
✓ Initial eligibility and opportunity assessment

Fee: £40 per hour
Fixed-fee research packages can also be agreed in advance.

Bid Review

Already started an application? An independent review can provide a fresh perspective and help strengthen your submission before it reaches the funder.

Support includes:

✓ Review against funder criteria
✓ Compliance and eligibility checks
✓ Suggestions to strengthen responses
✓ Proofreading and editing
✓ Final application review

Fee: £40 per hour
A fixed fee can also be agreed once the application and requirements have been reviewed.

Bid Writing

Support is available throughout the bid-writing process, whether you need help with a complete application or additional expertise for particular sections.

Support includes:

✓ Application planning
✓ Information and evidence gathering
✓ Drafting and developing responses
✓ Evidence collation
✓ Editing and proofreading
✓ Final submission support

Fee: £40 per hour or an agreed fixed project fee

Reporting & Evaluation

Support doesn’t have to end when funding is secured. I can help organisations demonstrate how funding has been used and the difference it has made.

Support includes:

✓ Funder and project reports
✓ Outcome and impact reporting
✓ Evaluation summaries
✓ Evidence collection frameworks

Fee: £40 per hour or an agreed fixed project fee

Independent FE Consultancy

Independent, evidence-led consultancy for Further Education providers seeking to strengthen services, improve compliance and develop practical solutions to operational challenges.

With extensive operational experience across Further Education, I understand both the requirements of funding and compliance and the practical realities of delivering effective, accessible services to learners.

Consultancy Support

Support can be tailored to your organisation and may include:

✓ Independent Learner Financial Support reviews
✓ Student Services and learner experience reviews
✓ Funding compliance and audit readiness
✓ Policy and procedure review and development
✓ Governance and quality assurance
✓ Assessment and professional judgement frameworks
✓ Operating model and workforce reviews
✓ Management information, systems and reporting improvement
✓ Service and process improvement
✓ Implementation planning

Consultancy Fees

Fee: £50 per hour

For larger reviews or defined consultancy commissions, an agreed fixed project fee can be provided based on the scope, complexity and anticipated duration of the work.

A clear scope of work and quotation will always be agreed before work begins.

Recent Commission

Education Funding Solutions was recently commissioned to undertake a comprehensive independent review of Learner Financial Support for a large multi-site Further Education provider.

The review examined governance, funding compliance, assessment arrangements, policies and procedures, operational processes, systems, workforce capacity, quality assurance and learner experience.

The commission resulted in a comprehensive independent report and recommendations, revised policy framework, proposed future operating model and practical implementation plan, providing senior leaders with a clear route from review findings to sustainable service improvement.