Andover: investigating collaboration between schools

Summary

A group of 23 headteachers of primary, secondary and special schools in Andover got together to explore opportunities for collaboration and partnership working.

Key learning/outcomes

The headteachers took part in a workshop where they developed a shared understanding of the issues facing schools in Andover.
The Delta 6 exercise was received well by the headteachers, who plan to use the materials within their schools in the future.
The headteachers were keen to repeat the Delta 6 session with representatives from their governing bodies, so that they too could gain a common understanding of the issues.

Background

There are more than 35 schools in the Andover area. Most of the schools are in the town itself and some are facing challenging circumstances. A few of the schools, including one secondary school, are in the more affluent rural areas surrounding the town.

Andover is affected by negative perceptions of schooling and young people, and to date there has been a lack of co-operation between schools in the town. The headteachers reported little joint activity or shared community commitment.

Key challenges and issues

Maintaining momentum

The key challenge at the very early stage of collaboration was maintaining momentum and encouraging all of the participants to continue the discussions.

Solution or approach

Developing a framework for collaboration

The headteachers used the Delta 6 tool to establish a shared understanding of the issues facing their schools and agree a framework for a statement of aims which would embrace all young people in the town. The workshop was designed to give participants the confidence to use Delta 6 themselves to facilitate further movement towards collaboration.

Creating a joint statement of ambition

A representative group of headteachers was tasked with creating a joint statement of ambition for education in Andover, with a public consultation at a community festival in the autumn term.

Finalising plans for collaboration

The headteachers took part in a second whole-day workshop to finalise the group’s mission statement and agree costs and benefits.

Next steps

The next step is to formally invite each school to join the partnership. Those that decide not to join at this stage will still be able to join at a later date.

Further information

Delta 6 is a toolkit that can be used to think about and prioritise the key global, national and local challenges we face and how your school can respond to them. You can download the resource from the Innovation Unit website.