Creating connections

Research study that aims to explore, understand and elevate alternative models of school collaboration.

Research

01/07/2025

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 multi academy trusts 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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Key findings

This report identifies common features of collaboration as well as benefits and opportunities for improvement, including:

Informal partnerships dominate school collaboration models
Local authorities play a key role in enabling and supporting collaboration
Perceived divisions between school types create barriers to partnership
Staff expertise, development and resource management are key collaboration areas
Sharing expertise and professional development drives improvement
Collaboration delivers significant financial benefits and resource optimisation
Partnerships enhanced pupil experience while preserving school identity
Practical and financial barriers continue to limit collaboration
Diverse contexts and inconsistent engagement can hinder sustained collaboration
Collaboration outside MATs requires practical support and funding
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
"Across England, thousands of educators are quietly working together. Both this report and FED's National Education Futures 2025 Report tell the same story: goodwill is plentiful but the infrastructure that sustains it is thin. 42% of governing boards report depending on informal, goodwill-based arrangements that can unravel the moment a leader moves on."

Dr Carl Ward

Founder and Chair

The Foundation for Education Development (FED)
"Schools and trusts have vividly shown us how being creative with their connections is making a difference. The collaborative activity captured in this study reveals an approach diverse in form and function."

Megan Tate

Senior Policy and Research Officer

National Governance Association
“Working together may sometimes present some challenges we cannot ignore, but schools are showing us how they not only have reflected on these but have used them to seek new levels of practical and financial initiatives that sustain enduring partnerships. The message from school leaders is clear: collaboration works, and it matters."

Emma Balchin

Chief Executive

National Governance Association