Connecting national government to school communities: lessons from Accrington Academy visit
Last week, I joined our CEO, Gina Cicerone, Sarah Smith MP – the Government’s Opportunity Mission Champion – and Fair Education Alliance members on a visit to Accrington Academy. Our aim was to bring life to the Opportunity Mission by showcasing how partnerships between our members and schools are tackling educational inequity and improving outcomes for young people. We also heard directly from pupils and staff about what more is needed.
This visit, and the report we supplied to Sarah, was informed by our Ecosystem Map, which provided national comparisons, local insights and specific information about Accrington Academy, including which members are already active in the school.
We began with a tour led by Headteacher Jamie Peel, visiting classrooms and shared spaces and meeting dedicated staff. But the most powerful moments came from the pupils. They spoke proudly about the opportunities they enjoy – from enrichment activities to supportive teachers – but also voiced what’s missing: quiet study spaces, smaller class sizes, and subject-specialist teachers. Their message was clear: these opportunities should be available to every pupil.
Accrington Academy school visit
Throughout the day, we saw the power of collaboration in action. Schools are facing greater challenges than ever, but with the right support around them, these challenges are more manageable. We heard from Elly Hayes at Jamie’s Farm about how the school’s AIM programme – shaped by pupils’ experiences at the farm - weaves belonging, wellbeing, and restorative practices into support for those at risk of exclusion. It’s a great example of how member-led approaches can shape school culture. We also heard from Charlie Wild at Teach First and Brendan Belk at STEM Learning about efforts to tackle teacher recruitment and retention – a pressing issue at the school – and how deeper collaboration could support progress in this area.
“Too often where you’re from dictates the opportunities you have in life. That can be changed - and we shouldn’t have to accept that as the truth.”
As we sharpen our focus on place-based change, it was encouraging to hear the theme of community echoed throughout the visit. To truly embed this in practice, we need to see more joined-up working across the ecosystem, from neighbourhood to national. Every young person should experience a coherent offer of support, and that means schools and partners need to know who else is active in their space.
If you're delivering in a school like Accrington Academy, take a look at the Member Ecosystem Map to see who else is working there – and start a conversation. Reach out, connect, and explore how you can collaborate. Pupils deserve a joined-up approach – and we’re here to help make that happen.
Thank you to Sarah, our members and the Accrington Academy community for giving their time, insights and commitment. We’re excited to see these connections across the school community grow and look forward to building on this visit in other schools and trusts.
