How Maintained-Independent School Partnerships can help address national education challenges
Thursday 2 October - 12:00
SchooliP was delighted to host a webinar in collaboration with the School Partnerships Alliance (SPA) exploring the role that maintained–independent school partnerships can play in supporting the wider education sector.
We were joined by Dr Joe Spence, CEO of the School Partnerships Alliance, and Dr Margaret Hunnaball, SPA’s Director of Programmes and Research, who shared insights from their extensive experience in both state and independent schools.
The discussion considered the opportunities, challenges and potential of cross-sector collaboration, highlighting how partnerships can foster innovation, broaden opportunities for students, and help address some of the key issues facing education nationally.
This session provided valuable perspectives for school leaders, governors and educators across all sectors, offering a deeper understanding of the impact of meaningful partnerships and the role they can play in shaping the future of education.
Dr Spence FRSA joined the School Partnerships Alliance as CEO in January 2025. Joe was Master of Dulwich College from 2009 to 2024 and Headmaster of Oakham School from 2002, having previously taught history and politics at Eton College, where he was also Master in College (housemaster to the King’s Scholars).
Joe has been a governor of more than a dozen state and independent schools. A trustee of the Mark Evison Foundation, Art History Link Up and the Keats-Shelley Memorial Association, he is also a playwright and librettist
Margaret is S.P.A.’s Director of Programmes and Research. She has over 30 years’ experience as a physics teacher, with senior leadership experience in both state-maintained and independent secondary schools. Her final post was Principal Deputy at King’s College School, Wimbledon, which is part of the Wimbledon Partnership.
Margaret completed a PhD at King’s College London, conducting ESRC-funded research into cross-sector educational partnerships.
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