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School structures

Creating connections

An exploration of school collaborations

Research
04/06/2025
connecting the dots vision

In recent years, England’s education landscape has changed significantly. Amid evolving policies, shifting structures, and financial pressures, schools have adapted, often by working together. This report explores how schools across the country are collaborating to improve outcomes, strengthen leadership, and support the wider system. It offers timely insights into how these partnerships work and what more can be done to realise their potential.

Research overview

While MATs have become the dominant framework for structured, formal collaboration over the past decade, many schools continue to operate outside this model, leveraging alternative methods to communicate and work together.

This study draws on a bespoke NGA survey and case study data to explore these alternative approaches, examining their advantages and challenges, and the cultural, logistical, and financial dynamics that influence their adoption.

Creating connections report

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  1. Informal partnerships dominate school collaboration models
  2. Local authorities play a key role in enabling and supporting collaboration
  3. Perceived divisions between school types create barriers to partnership
  4. Staff expertise, development and resource management are key collaboration areas
  5. Sharing expertise and professional development drives improvement
  6. Collaboration delivers significant financial benefits and resource optimisation
  7. Partnerships enhanced pupil experience while preserving school identity
  8. Practical and financial barriers continue to limit collaboration
  9. Diverse contexts and inconsistent engagement can hinder sustained collaboration
  10. Collaboration outside MATs requires practical support and funding
  11. Legitimising diverse collaboration models requires policy alignment and support

  • “This report rightly highlights the importance and value of collaboration between schools, from supporting pupils to access a broader curriculum, to professional development for school staff and making the most of resources in a challenging financial climate.”

    Cllr Arooj Shah

    Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board

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