A Guide to Raising Attainment in Schools: Building Successful School Partnerships
As the UK higher education sector has undergone major changes over recent years, widening participation has continued to be a central focus for universities. While outreach programmes have historically and continue to play a role in the widening participation agenda, a more sustainable and impactful approach lies in building strong, symbiotic partnerships with schools.
However, it’s not always easy to know how to develop these relationships for longevity and best impact. Higher education institutions face many complex challenges, including the difficulty of measuring the success of school partnerships as well as limits on resources and time. Despite this, the sector regulator, the Office for Students (OfS), consistently identifies attainment raising as a priority and asks providers to include evidence as to how they are working with schools successfully in their Access and Participation Plans.
This article offers suggestions on how universities can forge successful collaborations that go beyond traditional outreach, ultimately raising attainment in schools and expanding the impact of widening participation strategies. We look at why partnership is preferable to traditional outreach, outline some potential interventions universities can deliver with schools and explore how these partnerships can be maintained in the long-term.
Shifting Your Approach: From Outreach to Collaboration
The current model of outreach often positions universities as providers and schools as recipients. This dynamic can be limiting and fails to create space for the value that schools can bring to their university partners.
A more collaborative approach recognises the expertise both partners bring to the table. Schools have a deep understanding of their students' needs and learning styles, while universities possess vast academic resources and specialist knowledge. By working together, they can create programmes that are targeted, impactful, and address the specific challenges faced by schools.
Innovative Partnership Models
So, what does a partnership model look like in practice? Below we have suggested some ways that you might think differently about how to partner with schools to capitalise on their expertise and ensure your initiatives are having enhanced impact when it comes to raising attainment in schools.
Thematic Networks
Establish thematic networks around specific subjects like STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) or humanities. These networks bring together university faculty, school teachers, and curriculum specialists to develop collaborative teaching resources, workshops, and online learning modules. This fosters a community of practice where best practices are shared, and teachers receive ongoing support from university faculty. With a focus on curriculum and teaching and learning, these kinds of networks can have an important impact on raising attainment. A great example of one of these networks in action is the University of Manchester’s annual STEM Teachers Conference, which provides networking opportunities for teachers and researchers as well as offering resources and support.
Mentorship Programmes
Create targeted mentorship programmes where university students from similar backgrounds as the school pupils serve as mentors. This peer-to-peer approach builds trust and allows mentors to share their experiences navigating higher education. Additionally, universities can leverage alumni networks to connect successful graduates from the local area with schools, creating role models who inspire students. Through these programmes, universities can increase familiarity with higher education and grow student confidence to raise both attainment and aspirations. Some great examples from recent years have been developed by universities seeking to support school students in the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). For example, the University of East Anglia developed an online mentoring scheme for EPQ students which was complemented by EPQ training for teachers, while the University of Bristol deliver an annual EPQ mentoring fair matching groups of students with relevant researchers.
Shared Professional Development
Organise joint professional development programmes for teachers and university faculty. These programmes can focus on innovative teaching methods, assessment strategies, and best practices for supporting students from diverse backgrounds. This fosters mutual understanding and equips both teachers and faculty with the necessary skills to raise attainment effectively. For inspiration, take a look at the events and opportunities offered at the Teachers’ Centre at Goldsmiths, University of London or read about Imperial College London’s Reach Out Lab and Reaching Further programme, which provides high quality science resources for underperforming schools and professional development opportunities for science teachers.
Tailoring Your Approach
A one-size-fits-all approach won't work. Universities need to tailor partnership models to the specific needs of the schools they collaborate with. This could involve:
Needs Assessments: Conduct joint needs assessments with schools to identify specific areas where university support can have the most significant impact. This could be subject-specific support, improving study skills, or addressing challenges faced by disadvantaged students.
Geographical Focus: Universities can prioritise partnerships with schools in their local communities. This allows for a deeper understanding of the social and economic context that shapes student achievement and facilitates the development of targeted programmes.
By defining a shared objective with clear goals, partnerships between schools and universities can focus on raising attainment and measure the effectiveness of their interventions systematically.
Building Sustainability
Forging long-term, sustainable partnerships is crucial for lasting impact. Here are some key considerations:
Joint Evaluation and Feedback: Establish mechanisms for regular joint evaluation and feedback on partnership initiatives. This allows for continuous improvement and ensures that programmes remain relevant to the evolving needs of schools and students.
Shared Funding Models: Explore co-funding opportunities with schools, government agencies, and the private sector to ensure long-term financial sustainability of partnership programmes, such as the School-University Partnerships Initiative funded by Research Councils UK and the OfS’s Uni Connect programme.
Celebrating Success and Demonstrating Impact: Showcase successful partnership outcomes through case studies, student testimonials, and university publications. This not only motivates participants but also encourages other schools and universities to adopt similar models, building long-term sustainability for partnerships.
By building partnerships that are long-term and sustainable, universities can contribute effectively to the work of raising attainment in schools. The presence of higher education institutions in the school sector can help to build student confidence and success, essentially bridging the gap between school and university to encourage young people to progress to tertiary education.
The Future of School Partnerships
By moving beyond traditional outreach and forging strong collaborative partnerships, universities can play a pivotal role in raising educational attainment in schools. These partnerships, built on mutual respect and a shared commitment to student success, can raise attainment and create a pipeline of well-prepared students ready to thrive in higher education. Through these innovative partnerships, universities can empower schools to nurture young minds and unlock their full potential.
For further inspiration, take a look at the full report of lessons learned from the School University Partnerships Initiative (SUPI).
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