The Association of Education Partnerships

What are Education Partnerships?

Education Partnerships are school-led, local organisations that include all types of schools but with the single purpose of raising standards. They:

• Take responsibility for the quality of education in a local area
• Bridge the divide between different types of schools
• Provide a framework to allow schools to work together

Education Partnerships offer a new vision of a self-improving education system that encompasses local authorities and schools across all phases and types, be they maintained schools or academies. There are different models to choose from but all must be commercially sustainable.

What is the Association and who are we for?

The Association of Education Partnerships (AEPA) is led by a national steering group, which is co-chaired by Baroness Estelle Morris and Christine Gilbert CBE.

Our full membership includes over 30 partnerships across England – from established organisations to groups that are
still developing.

Our aim is to share experiences and ideas.
Our hope is that by doing so we will expand the conversation to other parts of the education system.

We are not exclusive. We are open to new members and to participation in our meetings, debates and events. We want to complement not duplicate, and to work with all those who believe that a strong and healthy school system requires an open, collaborative, accountable and ambitious culture that listens to, and works for, the benefit of all.

Sign up now at info@aepa.org.uk if you would like more information or simply to express support for our core beliefs.

Our Core Beliefs

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SCHOOL-LED IMPROVEMENT WILL ONLY WORK IF THE SYSTEM IS INCLUSIVE AND COLLABORATIVE

We strongly support the shift to a school-led model of school improvement. However, the
current patchwork of provision means the system is fragmented and schools are left at risk of isolation. Education Partnerships offer a means of supporting all schools to work together. They provide the glue in a splintered system. An unintended consequence of fragmentation is that some schools prosper at the expense of others.
Education Partnerships believe strongly
that all schools need to recognise their
responsibilities to support high standards so
that no schools are isolated or left behind.

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Place still matters

Our member organisations define themselves by locality. They recognise the importance of local identity and a strong sense of place. Their commitment is to all local children and to all local schools. The
Association welcomes the emerging strategic
partnerships between local authorities and
delivery partners. However, we also believe
that partnerships between organisations in different localities are essential to counter fragmentation, to reduce duplication of effort and cost, and to help make investments in new services viable by trading on a wider scale.

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We need new ways of working with local authorities

Strategic partnerships between local authorities and delivery partners are emerging across the system. We welcome these and understand that local authorities have system wisdom and understanding as well as structures for democratic accountability and links beyond education that still make them a vitally important part of the education landscape.

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Unintended consequences leave too many behind

It is in the interest of all local schools that we all have high standards, but an unintended consequence of the current, fragmented system is that some schools may prosper at the expense of others. Education Partnerships believe strongly that all schools need to recognise their responsibilities to support high standards so that no schools in our localities are isolated or left behind.

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Social, emotional and cultural capital is also our responsibility

Education is about more than exam results. But it can be hard for individual schools to nurture students’ social, emotional and cultural development amid current pressures and tightening budgets. Education
Partnerships are part of the wider civic fabric
and the Association acknowledges that they
have a responsibility to help all local schools offer the services and experiences that enrich young people’s lives.

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Partnerships need a national presence and voice

Education Partnerships are a bottom-up innovation, reflecting a desire to work differently and to heal a fractured system.
As such, Education Partnerships have taken
different approaches and are at different stages of development. However, there is not yet enough understanding within central government of the work we all do. The Association therefore provides
an opportunity to share ideas, challenge emerging practice and act as champions for the necessary changes in national policy required to better support education.