Funding
Different routes.
A shared opportunity.
The Portal’s proposed funding model is designed to keep democratic education accessible to children and young people, regardless of background or financial circumstances. It combines family contributions with fundraising, community support and potential public funding.
For families
Contribute according to your circumstances.
The aim is to create a financially sustainable community without making a family’s ability to pay the deciding factor. The routes below describe the intended model, rather than a guarantee of an available or funded place.
01 / Self-funded places
The proposed standard annual cost is £8,500 for families able to cover the full cost of a place.
Please contact us to discuss current plans and arrangements.
02 / Flexible contributions
Sliding-scale partial payments and voluntary contributions would allow families to contribute according to their household means.
03 / Subsidised places
The plan includes a dedicated fundraising role to secure donations and charitable support for subsidised and fully funded places.
The wider funding strategy
A resilient model, built from more than one source.
04 / Trusts & Foundations
Targeted applications to grant-making trusts and educational Foundations will support innovative learning, social inclusion and community-led education.
05 / Community shares
A community share offer is planned where additional capital or bursary funding is needed. This will allow local supporters to invest through the proposed Community Benefit Society structure.
06 / Commissioning of places
Where Children’s Services requests a placement, the proposed route is for the local authority to fund the place, including any associated Pupil Premium.
The intended fees will be capped so they do not exceed standard local-authority placement costs.
Academy Trusts are another potential route for commissioning places. Any arrangements will need to be agreed with the commissioning organisation.
07 / Longer-term DfE funding
As The Portal demonstrates positive educational outcomes and operational success, the intention is to explore direct Department for Education funding.
This is a longer-term ambition, not confirmed funding.
Help make access possible.
Interested in contributing, supporting a subsidised place or discussing the funding model? Start a conversation with the team.