ISBA and the Consumers’ Association have launched a new set of best practice principles for commercial activities in schools, which has received endorsement from the Department for Education and Skills. The new guidelines reflect the more relaxed approach to branding on teaching materials and corporate-sponsored activities which is evolving.
The concept of companies sponsoring teaching materials and activities is not a new one, but requires a delicate balance to avoid accusations of exploitation. Ian Twinn, ISBA’s director of public affairs, explained: “All reasonable commentators agree that well thought-out commercial activities can be of benefit to schools and businesses. They can add value to school life and the taught curriculum, and can provide welcome additional resources. Yet commercial activities in schools are no easy option for businesses. This is a sensitive sector, which requires high levels of consideration and responsibility from businesses.”
The best practice principles are designed to help both school staff in assessing commercial activity offered to them and businesses in meeting the criteria for making such offers. The range of commercial activities taken in includes sponsored resources and activities and collector schemes, such as the “wrappers for books” schemes.
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