Sarah Baker, CEO, TEAM Education Trust
In the face of the ongoing cost of living crisis, TEAM Education Trust’s response has been characterised by a proactive and collaborative approach – forging meaningful connections with local businesses to ensure sustained support for its schools and community. TEAM, which serves a high number of disadvantaged pupils, and pupils with complex SEND at its special school, has successfully leveraged the support of local people and businesses to help support its families, and enhance its provision for pupils through providing additional equipment, resources, and enriching extra-curricular activities. Through its strategic approach to fostering relationships with local businesses, and hosting ‘business breakfast meetings’, the trust has not only strengthened its ties within the local community, but has also secured valuable resources to support its schools during challenging financial times.
Supporting the local community
In response to the cost of living crisis, TEAM began its work to support the local community by initiating two impactful projects; the ‘Pantry box’ and ‘Gift box’ initiatives. The Pantry box, a food bank in collaboration with local supermarket, Asda, allowed parents, families and staff to give what they could and take what they needed. The Gift box followed the same concept, providing essential toiletries. Around the same time, pre-loved uniform was also established across the trust, with donation/collection racks placed near the entrance of each of the trust’s schools. This initiative not only promoted sustainability but also fostered a sense of community involvement, allowing parents to contribute or take as needed. These initiatives laid the foundation for the trust’s commitment to working closely with the local community.
Establishing Connections with Businesses
Recognising the power of collaboration, TEAM reached out to local and national businesses to build relationships with them. The trust began by cultivating connections with its contractors. Natalie Borrington, COO at TEAM Education Trust, explains, “instead of having a purely transactional relationship, we shared the work of the trust with contractors including construction teams, scaffolding teams, and IT providers working within the trust. The companies were given a first-hand look around our schools and they got to meet some of our children and young people; we discussed our mission and vision with them, and they saw the crucial work that we do for vulnerable children and families”.
“Through fostering relationships with local businesses, and hosting ‘business breakfast meetings’, the trust has not only strengthened its ties within the local community, but has also secured valuable resources to support its schools during challenging financial times.”
As a result of building these relationships, ‘Uniti Scaffolding’, for example, moved by the trust’s mission ‘To provide an inclusive environment enabling all our students to flourish and reach their full potential within an enterprising and supportive setting’ supported the trust identifying contractors for ongoing building projects and providing scaffolding for the projects throughout the duration of the build. Another example comes from the construction company ‘the Berry Group’, who are donating a kitchen for a newly built staffroom at one of the trust’s schools free of charge, showcasing a deeper commitment to the work of the trust, beyond the simply transactional. In intentionally building and deepening their relationships with contractors, the trust didn’t just secure services, but also cultivated lasting partnerships.
TEAM also expanded its network through email outreach to local and national businesses, and also formed connections through their Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA), networking events, and word of mouth, to develop relationships. This ultimately resulted in diverse contributions, including the donation of books, IT equipment, tickets for pupils to visit Gullivers Kingdom theme park, educational equipment from Playmobil, and much more.
“In intentionally building and deepening their relationships with contractors, the trust didn’t just secure services, but also cultivated lasting partnerships.”
On top of this, TEAM has also developed close connections with one of its local football clubs, Chesterfield FC. “Chesterfield FC have worked with us for a number of years now, through their Community Trust”, explains Matt Morris, Director of Transformation at TEAM Education Trust, “and we have a reciprocal relationship with them, in that students from Stubbin Wood – a special school – take part in work experience and internships at their stadium. They can gain experience of the world of work, and numerous roles at the club, for example, catering or pitch maintenance.”
Business Breakfast Meetings
Encouraged by these successes, Sarah Baker, CEO of TEAM Education Trust, alongside Matt Morris, Director of Transformation, began to consider how connections with local businesses could be further established and harnessed to support the work of the trust. Reflecting on broader community engagement and growth initiatives, they explored avenues to connect with businesses and reflected on what their next steps could be. “We wanted to look for wider engagement”, explains Sarah, “and I had previously attended business networks, including a business breakfast, and I saw an opportunity in this area. However, we didn’t just want to attend business networks hosted by others, where we might get a few minutes at best to explain our cause. We wanted instead to set our own agenda, and have the time to tell our story properly, and that’s why we decided we were going to host our own business meetings.”
“We wanted instead to set our own agenda, and have the time to tell our story properly, and that’s why we decided we were going to host our own business meetings.”
The trust sent out an email to all relevant partners and contacts to spread the word about the upcoming business breakfast meetings, in the words of the email, ‘to discuss how we can all work together to support the young people and families in our local community’. The two breakfast meetings, which took place in January 2024, were well attended, and provided an opportunity for the trust to share its vision and objectives (with an emphasis on the communities it serves), showcase its successes, and outline the potential areas where the local businesses attending could help to contribute to the trust’s priorities.
The main priorities outlined for the trust included; every child having access to a memorable school trip, every child receiving a sustainable present at Christmas, every child receiving a book for the summer and having a meaningful conversation about their reading on their return in September, and increased quantity and variety of work experience opportunities for young people in Key Stage 4. Each school within the trust also has specific priorities, which were also shared at the meetings, ranging from developing outdoor spaces to creating sensory rooms.
These priorities were shared through engaging inputs and a slideshow, which not only provided a comprehensive understanding of the trust’s needs and aspirations, but also created a space for local businesses to visualise the impact of their potential contributions, and fostering a deep understanding of the trust’s ethos and its dedication to the welfare of vulnerable young people and their families. “Our business breakfast meetings provided a space to share the trust’s vision and values, allowing local enterprises to connect with the deeper purpose of their collaboration”, explains Sarah, “and taking the time to share the trust’s story created an opportunity for businesses to understand and align with the trust’s mission – to enable our young people to reach their full potential – and recognise how that linked to our priorities.”
“The emphasis on mutual benefits and the potential for long-term collaboration set the stage for a comprehensive and sustainable partnership model.”
A crucial aspect of TEAM’s approach was also the emphasis on reciprocal relationships with the local businesses attending the breakfast. The leadership outlined what they could provide in return for businesses’ support, focusing on recognition, promotional opportunities, and the potential to create a future talent pool of future employees through work experience and apprenticeships. The emphasis on mutual benefits and the potential for long-term collaboration set the stage for a comprehensive and sustainable partnership model.
Networking Opportunities and Pledges of Support
Post-presentation, the business breakfast meetings provided a valuable networking opportunity, and businesses were encouraged to discuss potential pledges to support the trust’s priorities. This ensured that businesses felt empowered to contribute ideas and support based on their capabilities and interests. “The conversations that followed our input were organic and unforced”, says Matt. “Telling the story of who we are as a trust, what we’re about, and the kind of children, families and communities we serve; I think that story in itself made people really want to help. Businesses approached us with genuine interest and enthusiasm, suggesting ways in which they could contribute. This open dialogue allowed for a diverse range of pledges, including sponsorships, book donations, expertise sharing, volunteering efforts, and governing board membership.”
“We would… like to see a number of our business partners eventually becoming governors within the trust, so that they’re not only bringing their unique skill sets to the table, but are also really living and breathing the trust’s values as we move forward in partnership.”
“Ultimately, as a result of these business meetings, we want to come true on our priorities for the trust and for each school, and see those come to fruition, for the benefit of every young person in our trust”, says Sarah, “and we would also like to see a number of our business partners eventually becoming governors within the trust, so that they’re not only bringing their unique skill sets to the table, but are also really living and breathing the trust’s values as we move forward in partnership”.
Conclusion
Modern trusts, according to the leadership at TEAM, extend their vision beyond growth of schools, seeking collaborations that extend into the broader community. TEAM’s journey so far, in their work collaborating with local businesses, can offer inspiration for academy leaders navigating financial challenges in an era of constrained budgets and competitive landscapes. However, the trust’s success lies not just in financial transactions with local businesses, but in the cultivation of genuine relationships, community engagement, and shared aspirations. Whether through equipment donations, providing enriching experiences, or contributing invaluable expertise, local businesses are viewed as vital partners in the trust’s journey. The metaphorical table is set, and the trust welcomes local businesses to join them. There is a recognition that this table can grow, the room can expand, and the doors are open for as many collaborators as are willing to join in.
In their usual proactive style, TEAM’s next business meeting is already in the calendar; this time it will be a ‘business afternoon tea’, for local businesses who may not have been able to make the previous time slot of the breakfast meetings. It’s a call to local businesses to be active participants, to share their insights, resources, and commitment in creating a brighter future, not only for TEAM Education Trust, but also impacting the community as a whole.
Learning Points:
- Community Engagement is Key: Initiatives like the ‘Pantry box’ and ‘Gift box’ demonstrate the power of community engagement during challenging times. Trust leaders can consider community-focused projects to not only support families but also to lay the groundwork for meaningful collaborations with local businesses.
- Cultivate Genuine Relationships: TEAM Education Trust’s success underscores the importance of building relationships with local businesses that go beyond transactional exchanges. Trust leaders should invest time in cultivating genuine connections with businesses, allowing them to become active contributors, rather than mere sponsors.
- Strategic Networking Events: Hosting business meetings provides an opportunity to set the agenda, tell your trust’s story, and create a space for collaborative discussions. Trust leaders can consider organising their own networking events to strengthen ties with local enterprises.
- Clearly Articulate Your Trust’s Vision and Goals: During networking events, take the time to clearly articulate the trust’s vision, values, and specific needs. A comprehensive understanding of the trust’s objectives helps local businesses visualise the impact of their potential contributions.
- Create Opportunities for Dialogue: Encourage open and organic conversations between trust leaders and local businesses. This allows businesses to express genuine interest and contribute ideas that align with their capabilities and interests.
- Aim for a Diversity of Support: A variety of pledges, including sponsorships, book donations, expertise sharing, volunteering efforts, and board membership, showcase the diverse ways in which businesses can contribute. Trust leaders can explore a range of support options based on the strengths and interests of local partners.
- Reciprocal Relationships: Emphasise the importance of reciprocity in relationships with local businesses. Clearly outline what your trust can offer in return for support, whether through recognition, promotional opportunities, or potential for future employees. This creates a foundation for sustained partnership.
- Integrate Partners into Governance Where Possible: Consider integrating business partners into the governance structure. This ensures a deeper level of commitment and understanding, setting the stage for sustained collaboration and contribution.