Description
Many schools are appointing people to lead partnerships; this is the only comprehensive induction course for them, led by Christina Astin, founder of the #PartnerChat network. New to Partnerships gives new partnership leaders the knowledge and skills to develop a strategy and lead a partnerships programme with confidence, supported by their own peer-support network.
Who should enrol on this programme?
- Headteachers, Deputy Heads or Heads of Partnership in independent schools, responsible for developing – or looking to develop – partnerships with state schools
- those recently appointed to lead partnerships at an independent school (at whatever level of seniority within your school)
- those aspiring to lead partnerships in future and are looking to strengthen a future job application in this field
Why should I enrol?
- to gain the confidence and skills to lead an impactful and sustainable partnerships programme for your school
- to understand the specific challenges of leading partnerships and how to overcome them
- to thrive in a partnerships leadership role with a support network of peers and guidance from a sector expert
“This has been a very enjoyable course, culminating in the fifth session being face to face. I have learned a great deal and want to thank Christina for all her hard work and skill in organising the course, which I hope is the first cohort of many to come!”
What will be covered?
The course uses as its course book Christina’s Partnerships WorkBook, published in June 2023 (print copy and e-book included in the course fee). Each session addresses different aspects of cross-sector partnership working, leading to the delegates developing a comprehensive strategy for their school.
In between sessions delegates will have the opportunity to complete interim tasks in consultation with colleagues at their school as they work towards completing the strategy.
All delegates are be invited to join an exclusive WhatsApp group as a peer support network. One delegate said: “I always felt connected, informed and included. It was all very well balanced and well-judged: not intrusive or repetitive but timely and helpful in keeping me connected and up-to-date during the time between sessions.”
Details
- The course is delivered via five 2-hour sessions
- Tue 8 Oct 2024, Weds 20 Nov 2024, Tue 4 Feb 2025, Thurs 13 Mar 2025, (all online 10am – 12pm); Weds 7 May 2025 (2-4pm in person)
- Places are limited to maximise interactivity
- Cost for the course: £400 including Partnerships WorkBook print copy (value £124) – less than £40 per session
- Colleagues are welcome from any type of independent school of any age range, located in UK or overseas
- A padlet is used to share resources and ideas, and if you have to miss part of a session, the recording will be shared afterwards
Course director Christina Astin is a sector leader in cross-sector partnerships and has been the first to lead training in this area, as well as writing and speaking about partnerships. She launched the #PartnerChat network in 2022 with its regular Breakfast Briefings and published Partnerships Workbook in 2023.
Feedback from delegates on previous New to Partnerships programme:
“You are supported, nurtured and developed both by Christina but also by the community of fellow learners. By the end of the course you feel ready, confident, equipped to go out and do the good partnership work with an on-going community of support!”
“This has been a very enjoyable course, culminating in the fifth session being face to face. I have learned a great deal and want to thank Christina for all her hard work and skill in organising the course, which I hope is the first cohort of many to come!”
“Thank you so much for all that you have given during the New to Partnerships course. I have been grateful to you for your expertise, guidance, encouragement and support – and for your ‘critical friend’ voice that has planted important questions and reflections in my head that will stay with me!“
and a previous partnerships course participant:
“a MASSIVE thank you for all you have been doing for Partnerships, something that has been enormously valuable to me as I have been finding my feet in a new role. Â There is no question that my knowledge of the national picture, my grasp of the many wonderful aspects of partnerships and my confidence to shape the strategy for our school has been made possible largely through the events and sessions organised by you. Thank you so, so much!”
