With its focus on small, rural schools the research will be particularly interesting for professionals working in similar environments. Its 30 lessons provide useful points for school leaders, policymakers, and local authorities.
Partnership working in small rural schools: the best of both worlds
Synopsis
There are 4,000 schools in England with fewer than 150 pupils and 1,400 with fewer than 75: this research sets out to investigate the most effective ways for small, rural primary schools to partner up in order to improve provision and raise standards. Looking at schools across Lincolnshire it evaluates different leadership models, including collaborations, federations and academy chains.
In attempting to identify the key to successful partnerships, the authors outline 30 lessons for schools, policymakers and local authorities. They suggest that more should be done to help small primary schools develop partnerships with other schools that are close by, rather than trying to coordinate collaborations across large distances. The authors suggest local authorities and policymakers could do more to help small, rural schools communicate with each other and establish new opportunities for working together.