Schools and school partnerships

Example partnerships

The case studies below showcase examples of successful partnerships between schools, higher education providers and other organisations. 


Bournemouth University: Books and Stories

Books and Stories is a targeted intervention developed by Bournemouth University in 2014, aiming to improve the reading ability of Year 6 pupils and advance their confidence in and attitudes towards reading.


Bridgwater and Taunton College: Multi-Academy Trust

Bridgwater and Taunton College Multi-Academy Trust was founded in 2012 as a venture sponsored by the college to improve the attainment level and life chances of local children in deprived catchment areas.


The Brilliant Club: The Scholars Programme

The Brilliant Club is a UK-wide charity that mobilises the PhD community to support students who are less advantaged to access the most competitive universities and succeed when they get there.


The Educational Endowment Foundation: Children's University

The Educational Endowment Foundation funded an independent evaluation of Children’s University, to find out whether extracurricular activities can help to improve pupil attainment as well as other attitudes and skills, such as motivation, confidence, and teamworking.


IntoUniversity: Long-term interventions

IntoUniversity is an education charity delivering high quality and impact-driven programmes via a network of 35 community-based, local learning centres based in disadvantaged neighbourhoods where few young people progress into a university education


University of Kent Academies Trust: Reflections on attainment raising and school sponsorship

This case study focuses on the raising of attainment at Brompton Academy since the University of Kent became formally involved in the governance of the school.


King's College London: Attainment programmes

King’s College London Social Mobility and Widening Participation department has developed targeted attainment raising activity at Key Stages 3, 4, and 5.


University of Oxford: A different approach to a university-schools collaboration

This case study outlines key highlights, opportunities and challenges surrounding the University of Oxford’s attainment-raising collaboration with The Challenge Academy Trust in the North West.


University of Surrey: Partnership with Kings College Guildford

The University of Surrey works closely with primary and secondary schools, colleges and community partners. This case study examines its formal partnership with Kings College Guildford, a state secondary school that is unique in both location and its approach to widening access.


Sheffield Hallam University: South Yorkshire Futures

Sheffield Hallam won University of the Year at the 2021 UK Social Mobility Awards in recognition of its holistic approach to advancing social mobility, including an outreach programme focused on understanding and addressing barriers.

Published 07 April 2022
Last updated 18 May 2023
18 May 2023
Two new case studies published: University of Kent Academies Trust and Oxplore-Raising Attainment in Schools

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