Explore the considerable economic impact of the independent schools’ sector – on local and national economies – and the equally significant public benefit delivered in the form of truly impactful partnerships across the education sector.
As individual HMC schools have always worked hard to widen access to independent schools and influence education policy to advance standards for all, so too has HMC as an association.
HMC Public Benefit and Partnerships Committee
The HMC Public Benefit and Partnerships Committee was established in 2023 to support the delivery of the association’s public benefit and partnerships aspirations in a more targeted, efficient, and effective way. Below are some examples of the work they have already been involved in.
Reading for life, 100 things before you leave school, and Pathways to the future
A bold, sector-wide initiative to improve the life chances of every child in the UK, ‘Reading for life, 100 things before you leave school, and Pathways to the future’ is a collaboration between HMC, E-ACT and Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust and is our “moonshot” initiative for transformational change in partnership.
The partnership initiative is based on three pillars that all involved believe are the foundations of transformational change:
- Reading for life – where every child leaving school can read at or above their chronological reading age.
- 100 Things Before You Leave School – where every child has access to a broad range of enrichment opportunities.
- Pathways to the Future – where every child receives high-quality careers and higher education guidance.
Learn more about our next steps and how we plan to achieve these goals here
HMC, E-ACT, and Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust welcome the opportunity to speak with all multi-academy trusts to expand this exciting new partnership. In the first instance please direct queries and expressions of interest to Leon Spence at [email protected].
Education Policy Institute Report: Independent-state school partnerships deep dive
An examination of the workings, challenges and perceived benefits of partnerships between independent and state schools in England. Working with the respected Education Policy Institute (EPI) HMC commissioned a deep dive analysis of two established place based independent and state school partnerships – The Bristol Education Partnership (BEP) and York Independent State School Partnership (ISSP).
The resulting report, Independent-state school partnerships deep dive supports the understanding of best practice and recommends opportunities to improve the model, specifically,
- partnerships should improve accessibility and engagement.
- They should focus on exploring alternative funding sources.
- Partnerships should recognise and address perceptions that can hinder integration among pupils from different school backgrounds.
- ISSPs should consider expanding leadership and coordination within partnerships by diversifying leadership roles and creating dedicated staff positions to support ongoing efforts.
- The partnerships should further leverage their relationships with local universities, councils, and other local organisations.
- They should look to develop more effective methods for measuring impact by engaging independent evaluators and implementing structured feedback mechanisms.
HMC at Work
For our members and more – HMC works hard across a number of key areas to support the advancement of excellence in education for all children. Follow the links below to learn more:
One thing I have become aware of … this is, a hearty desire on all sides to do our best … There may be differences of opinion, differences of structure in schools, but this common spirit of common earnestness in work is at once a basis for union and common action … If we are going to work for the thorough good of education wherever we find earnest good educational work we should recognise it, and invite it to co-operate with us … We base our scheme on common progress, common life, and common desire to do our best.
Over a century later, HMC continues to seek ways to share, collaborate, and innovate together with others across the education sector and beyond to broaden access to educational excellence.
Individual HMC schools can be contacted for more details about their bursary and scholarship programmes; as well as for details of their partnerships programmes, some examples of which can be found on HMC’s Partnerships in HMC Schools page and on the Schools Together website.
Information about the economic impact of independent schools can be found here.
