There is much to be proud of in our education system; the achievements and successes deserve to be celebrated, alongside the dedication of incredible staff who work tirelessly every day to support their schools, communities, and children. However, there is an underlying, persistent challenge that we cannot ignore - one that lies at the very heart of Challenge Partners’ mission. The outcomes and progress for disadvantaged pupils are simply not good enough. More than that, they are unacceptable.
Challenge Partners’ school and trust leaders are committed to reducing educational inequality and improving the life chances of all children. As Andy Johnson, Senior Partner, Thames Valley Hub and Executive Director of Education, Maiden Erlegh Trust, stated in his opening remarks last Friday:
“It is our moral purpose that drives us not to be fatalistic but to work together to find solutions.”
The Thames Valley Hub Conference, entitled Advancing Social Mobility for All, was testament to the strength of collective engagement and collaboration. The event showcased the impact of schools and trusts working together within the hub to address this critical issue, achieving far more collectively than they could individually while exploring the unique dimensions of the local context.
A golden thread ran through every session: the shared understanding that, while there may be no single solution to the challenge we face, working together is the most effective way forward.
In his keynote speech, Phil Stock, Director of Greenshaw Research School, captured this sentiment powerfully, referencing Keith Grint:
“Wicked problems require the transfer of authority from the individual to the collective… only collective engagement can hope to address the problem.”
The day was rich with examples of collective engagement. Andy shared how his trust is tackling the disadvantage gap, providing insight into their vision and strategic plan. Meanwhile, the Thames Valley Hub extended an invitation to colleagues from nearby hubs - Aylesbury Vale and Herts and Bucks - to join the conference.

I also loved the image shared by another key speaker, Jon Eaton, Director of Kingsbridge Research School and co-author of the Education Endowment Foundation’s Implementation Guidance Report. He used the EEF Implementation Kit to illustrate interconnectedness as a powerful framework for collaboratively addressing wicked problems.
The spirit of openness, generosity and shared learning that was so clearly in demonstrated at Thames Valley’s Hub Conference absolutely defines and encapsulates our partnership. It underscores our ethos of tackling challenges and driving meaningful change together.
And we know this approach works.
Our recently published Impact Report highlights that disadvantaged pupils in Challenge Partners’ schools outperform the national average at Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 4, in both performance and progress.
There is no silver bullet to solve the challenges of social mobility, but as events like the Thames Valley Hub conference show, through collective effort and a refusal to accept inequity, we can build the capacity to create real change.
A huge thank you to Rob Buck and Andy Johnson for organising such a great event.