Hubs of Collaboration
Support for school improvement through purposeful collaboration with schools and trusts in a local, regional or virtual hub
Challenge Partners’ hubs span all the way from Cornwall to County Durham, varying in size and phase
Collaboration is a vital tool for trusts and schools striving to achieve the best for their students. Within our Network of Excellence, schools work together in hubs that bring leaders together around shared priorities for improvement and professional development, supported by dedicated funding to enable collective impact.
While most hubs are locally based, some operate virtually to connect schools across wider geographies, including specialist settings. Each hub has its own distinct character but shares a commitment to continuous improvement, supported by the Challenge Partners central team and led locally by a Senior Partner and Hub Manager, typically serving senior leaders in strong schools or trusts.
Key benefits for Hub schools:
Develop Leadership
Through locally-led Challenge Partners programmes such as the immersive Leadership Residency Programme, or the curriculum-focused Middle Leadership Quality Assurance Review
Sharing Best Practice
Address common school improvement priorities by learning from each other’s practice, undertaking research together, forming subject groups, or engaging in joint practice development
Training
Commission expert speakers or training on topics relevant to their shared priorities
Collaboration in a Hub offers schools:
Address Challenges
The chance to join forces with other schools and leaders to address common challenges
Development Opportunities
Funded school improvement and leadership development activities shaped by your needs and priorities
Support
Dedicated support from your Senior Partner, Hub Manager, and the Challenge Partners central team
Network of schools
Collaboration to improve school improvement and leadership development through research projects, training and school visits
Led by a Senior Partner and Hub Manager
With additional support from the Challenge Partners central team for school leaders, Hub Managers, and Senior Partners
"The benefit of the Hub network is that schools know each other, each other's context and the local context well. When they're working together…there is genuine alignment to solve a problem at their own school level, while also tackling something that is causing concern more widely”
Phillip Hedger, LEO Academy Trust, Senior Partner of South West London Hub
Partnership includes Exclusive access to Challenge Partners’ locally-delivered ‘hub-led’ programmes:
Leadership Residency Programme
Structured immersion programme for senior or middle leaders offering practical learning, gathering best practice, and focused development
Middle Leader Quality Assurance Review
A curriculum-focused peer review which develops subject and middle leadership using Challenge Partners’ flagship methodology
2026/27 subscriptions open now
Secure your place for a year of collaboration and impact. Have a look at our new brochure and get in touch with us at partnershipsteam@challengepartners.org to discuss your options