PEER - supporting the next step

This summer we’ve had great news from the government: it’s now even easier for companies to get involved with local schools.

The journey for a specialist school doesn’t stop when it achieves specialist status – every three to four years schools need to re-designate. Now for the first time, the government is freeing up funding for redesignation, and encouraging school-business partnerships at the same time.

If you’re looking for new ways to get involved in the community, this could be the perfect programme for you. We’re looking for business partners who can volunteer time or donate goods, services or finances to a partnership with a school. Redesignating specialist schools will then have access to a £25,000 government grant.

How it works

As a school redesignates as a specialist school, it seeks engagement with local business and employers in the form of one or more reciprocal, long-term partnerships. The school seeks £25,000 in support overall, which can be in the form of cash, goods or services (including volunteering). The government match-funds this support and sponsorship, meaning the school has £50,000 in total. Your input into this new programme would really benefit local schools, your staff and your company’s future workforce, as well as playing an important part in your CSR portfolio. Schools will use the support and funding to further raise standards through their specialist subject, as well as to sustain their relationships with business partners.

Our role

We’re here to help find you a partner. The SSAT will be supporting all national and local businesses by:

• Helping find local schools
• Creating mutually beneficial partnerships
• Maintaining their partnerships over the long-term
  
  This new scheme is called PEER (programme of employer engagement at redesignation), and we really hope that we will be able to welcome you into the PEER family and start some great work between our two organisations.
  
  If you would like to learn more about PEER, or have your name added to the register of interested organisations, please email us and we’ll get in touch right away.

Contact
Kathryn Davies
Development Manager
Specialist Schools and Academies Trust
Millbank Tower
21-24 Millbank
London
SW1P 4QP

Tel: 020 7802 0860
E-mail: kathryn.davies@ssatrust.org.uk