The Education Partnership offers a truly comprehensive range of educational, employment, business, financial and governance expertise to schools, colleges and outdoor education centres.

Clients
Our clients include all the key stakeholders in the field of education – Proprietors, Head Teachers, Bursars and Governors and Trustees of schools.

Consultancy Services
We offer clients management / consultancy services in all main areas affecting the delivery of statutory school age and pre-University education including the following:-

a) Strengthening Profitability
In essence the key to a successful educational establishment is harnessing good teaching and pastoral care with sound business principles. We passionately believe that quality teaching and services is the springboard to profitability.

We can advise on:

  • managing schools and outdoor education centres as an effective, efficient and economic educational business;
  • developing the business;
  • effective costs control;
  • increasing profitability by maximising use of the premises and facilities throughout the chronological year.

b) Strategic Development
Irrespective of which strand of education you are involved in, to stand still is to die. All educational institutions need a strategy for going forward and development.

We can advise on a range of developmental issues including the following:-

  • designing and implementing a business plan;
  • extending the school age range;
  • opening a new school (day and/or boarding);
  • opening a new outdoor education / activity centre;
  • acquisitions and mergers of schools and colleges;
  • applications to the DfE for material changes.

c) Staff Recruitment and Motivation
Central to the success of any educational institution is the recruitment of the right staff and then ensuring that they are appropriately remunerated and motivated.

We can advise on:

  • drafting job advertisements and descriptions;
  • effective interviewing strategies;
  • appointment of Head Teachers, Bursars and senior management;
  • remuneration and incentivisation of staff;
  • staff development strategies;
  • creating a “success ethos”.

d) Personnel Issues
Effective handling of the various personal issues that inevitably arise in any organisation is essential for retaining the confidence of the staff you employ.

We can advise on:

  • contracts of employment along with conditions of service and job descriptions;
  • appointment procedures;
  • effective staff appraisal and dealing with under performance;
  • discipline, grievance, dismissal, redundancy and retirement policies and procedures.

Areas of expertise on personnel include:

  • Managing Change – Operational, legal and employment advice on successful restructuring;
  • Managing People – Training, workshops and individual coaching to enhance management skills;
  • Managing Performance – Design and implementation of performance management programmes, and pragmatic advice on handling individual performance issues;
  • Managing Development – Career change and outplacement support; identifying and developing talented employees;
  • Managing Policy – Design and implementation of tailored contracts of employment, policies and procedures to provide practical guidance on people-management matters;
  • Managing Systems and Processes – Advice on personnel procedures to ensure legal compliance; specification and implementation of HR databases.

outdoor.jpge) Potential of Specialism
Specialism gives educational institutions significant opportunities for growth and development. We can carry out special educational needs audits with an emphasis on inclusion, dyslexia and gifted and talented children.

We also advise on:

  • learning outside the classroom (off site activities, educational visits, outdoor education);
  • school policies and procedures;
  • staff handbooks and procedure manuals.

f) Regulation Compliance.
Operating an educational establishment or outdoor education centre requires a good understanding of, and adherence to, a range of regulatory requirements with non-compliance likely to result in serious consequences for the establishments in question. We have the requisite expertise to advise on:-

  • the criteria laid down by external agencies such DfE, Ofsted S162A inspections, ISI, and National Minimum Standards (NMS) for Boarding Schools, incuding Residential Special Schools;
  • ensuring compliance with regulations and best practice;
  • preparing institutions for inspection by external agencies and follow up procedures;
  • conducting health and safety audits and risk assessments.

Marketing Services
Successful promotion of an educational establishment is essential for its long term future. You can have a well run school but if nobody knows about it you will probably not fulfil your full potential.

We can advise on a range of marketing / promotional matters including:

  • communications and marketing advice, including crisis management;
  • media relations delivery – writing and issuing press releases etc.;
  • website design;
  • ongoing provision of website content;
  • graphic design, including corporate image/branding;
  • colour newsletters reflecting the school’s marketing objective;
  • design and delivery of other marketing literature, including prospectuses;
  • copy-writing;
  • assessment of admissions procedures and help with implementation of improvements.

Training Courses
Our courses feature:-

  • speakers of recognised and relevant expertise;
  • comprehensive course materials;
  • competitive fees;
  • interactive sessions;
  • case studies (where appropriate).

Current courses include:

  • “Compliance” (Education, Health and Safety, Safeguarding, Employment etc.);
  • “Safer Recruitment of Staff” (Employees, Volunteers, Agency Staff, Contractors etc.);
  • “Specific Learning Difficulties” (Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia etc.);
  • “Inspection Preparation and Follow-Up” (ISI, OfSTED, NMS for Boarding Schools and Residential Special Schools etc.);
  • “Learning outside the classroom” (Outdoor Education, Educational Visits, Use of Activity Centres, EVC Training, Responsibilities of Providers, Employees and Employers etc.).