Introduction
With a double dip recession just behind us, there remains a
concern about the effect our straitened economic times might have
on the independent schools sector.
Collaborative working
For some schools collaborative working arrangements may offer a
way forward that keeps the school independent while reducing the
costs of operations. Collaborative working allows
organisations to retain their independent legal identities, but
save costs by working together on operational or support
activities.
Administrative or back office functions are capable of being
shared over quite wide geographical distances; schools do not have
to be within any group structure to do so and it is perfectly
possible for otherwise unrelated schools to provide services to
each or enter into share purchasing arrangement. Sharing
teaching and other front line services is usually more subject to
the practical constraints of distance.
