The Education Partnership, and in particular our Chairman Bill Brown and Policy Specialist Jake Anders, conducts research projects and produces publications as part of our mission to provide best advice to our clients. Recent and ongoing research projects and a list of publications we have been involved with are listed below.

Research Projects

• An analytical study of the impact of governance, (regulatory compliance and best practice) as determinants in the broader sustainability of the proprietorial school – The Education Partnership, in association with ISBI education consultants (www.isbi.com/consultants), is currently undertaking a research project into Proprietorial Schools in England. The proprietorial school model is sui generis in that it does not fit the governance criteria for commercial entities, public bodies or charitable trusts but it incorporates aspects of all three in a unique amalgam in enabling its sustainability as a profit-making educational enterprise. Regulations for proprietorial schools are complicated, and for proprietors, successful implementation, externally scrutinised through a good inspection report, can provide a real commercial advantage. The intention is to draw conclusions on how Proprietorial Schools can ensure effective governance, (regulatory compliance and best practice) as determinants in their broader sustainability.
• Free Schools Research Project – Bill and Jake assisted James Croft with his research for the Adam Smith Institute into free schools and the contribution of the for profit sector. This research was published in May 2011. The research explores the problem of the lack of capital available to fund free schools in significant numbers and the additional capacity that the private sector might bring if the policy could accommodate profit. The focus of the study examines the proprietorial school model for what can be learnt from business and organisational management practices and in terms of impact on the quality of education. While broadly making the case for the strength and viability of this framework in its own right, there is much that free schools policymakers can usefully learn from the experience of the proprietorial schools more generally, and in terms of understanding issues for potential academy/free school conversions.

Publications

2011 – Brown B., Anders J., Adshead M. ‘Home Truths’

Funding for Independent Schools, Strategic and Financial Insight, May 2011

2010 – Anders J., Brown B. ‘Outdoor Education – Outer Limits’

Funding for Independent Schools E-Newsletter, Strategic and Financial Insight, November 2010

2010 – Anders J., Adshead M., Brown B. ‘Governance – Proprietorship of an Independent School’

Funding for Independent Schools, Strategic and Financial Insight, May 2010

2010 – Brown, B. and Anders, J. ‘Compliance with Regulations – Toeing the Line’

Funding for Independent Schools, Strategic and Financial Insight, February 2010

2009 – Lawrence, S., Bird, A. and Brown, B, ‘The Head’s Role: strategies and good practice for the appointment of a head and other academic appointments’

In Maiden, A. (ed), ‘The Independent School Governor’s Handbook’,

Leamington Spa: Pentastic Ltd.,

1996 – ‘The Responsibilities of Headship and Parental Expectations’

in Newland, O.(ed.), Independent Schools Management and Purchasing Considerations,

London: Sterling Publications.

1993 – Hatton, K. and Brown, W. E. (ed.) ‘Timetabling System’, The Priory Papers,

Winchester: Edgley Publications.

1992 – ‘Providing for Special Educational Needs Within the Primary Curriculum’

in Jones, K. and Charlton, T. (eds.), Learning Difficulties in Primary Classrooms, London: Rutledge.

1991 - ‘Management in the Residential School’,

Education Today, Vol. 41, No. 3, 7 – 14.

1991 – ‘Comments on Recent Reports on Education’,

The College of Preceptors Newsletter, January 1991.

1990 – Charlton, T. and Brown, W. E. ‘Locus of Control: Implications for the Special Class Settings’

in Charlton, T. (et al.), Working on the Self,

Cheltenham: Faculty of Education, College of St. Paul and St. Mary.

1990 – ‘Philosophical Issues – Implications for Working with Children in Special Education’,

Education Today, Vol. 40, No. 4, 23 – 29.

1989 – Loxham, J., Brown, W. E. and Withey, P. ‘Climb When Ready’,

Winchester: Edgley Publications.

1982 – Charlton, T. and Brown, W. E., ‘Locus of Control and Children’s Academic Behaviours’,

Links Journal, Vol. 7, No. 2, 11 – 15