Mead

Enabling collaboration between schools
and trusts to combine our wisdom and
improve the life chances of children

Who are we?

Challenge Partners is a national partnership of schools and trusts who believe the best way to reduce educational inequality and enhance the life chances of children is through collaboration, challenge and leadership development. We work to ensure every school community can benefit from the combined wisdom of the education system.

Over 400,000

540

137

Over 6000

Our Values

Excellence

We are always looking for ways to improve because we are determined to achieve the best for every child, teacher and leader

Collaboration

We listen to, share with and learn from each other, developing our practice together so that every child benefits from our combined wisdom and creativity

Innovation

We use and generate research, we innovate with discipline and evaluate intelligently in pursuit of better outcomes for all children, especially the disadvantaged

Equity

We treat each other fairly, with trust, care and respect. We seek the best for every child and know that those who have the least need our combined expertise the most

Challenge

We expect the best of ourselves and each other, and value challenge which helps us improve

Courageous leadership

We speak up and take responsibility for all children, making sure that we do not harm others in doing our best for our own schools

Our Impact

Read about the impact our partnership continues to achieve in pursuit of our mission to reduce educational inequality and improve the life chances of all children

Our Partners

Our Programmes

Orchard Mead

Quality Assurance Review

Our flagship programme. A three-day, rigorous peer evaluation of teaching and learning, curriculum and outcomes, and leadership at all levels. It has a sharp focus on the experience of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds or with additional needs

Growing the Top

Bringing together small groups of top performing schools for individual and shared school improvement journeys

SEND Developmental Peer Review

For schools who would like to focus on enhancing provision and outcomes for pupils with SEND

Trust Peer Review

Advance your trust with actionable insights on the areas you want to develop

Our events

Our workshops, webinars, and conferences, are opportunities to learn, collaborate and challenge.

2025/26 subscriptions open now

Secure your place for a year of collaboration and impact. Sign up by 16 May to take advantage of early bird prices. Have a look at our new brochure and get in touch with us at partnershipsteam@challengepartners.org to discuss your options