Innovation Hub
The S.P.A. Innovation Hub is a space to test and refine ideas, build solutions to sustainable practice, and elevate pockets of local good practice to national status. A space to explore, create and inspire, where members come together to exchange ideas and experiences and recommend ways forward.
Our Focus
Each of our projects is underpinned by S.P.A.’s commitment to partnership working that is: strategic, mutually beneficial, sustainable, impactful, and needs-focused, including reaching the disadvantaged.
Participation in the innovation hub is open to members. To express your interest, or find out more, contact margarethunnaball@schoolpartnershipsalliance.org.uk
Innovation Hub 1: Partnering Tools
The first IH project built on the work of The Partnering Initiative (TPI) on the School Partnerships for Impact Guide (LINK). Working closely with The Partnering Initiative, we drew up tools for developing and enhancing partnership working. These are available in the members’ area:
- Strategic partnering guidance tool
- Managing power imbalances tool
- Stakeholder mapping tool
- Value assessment tool
- Partnership agreement tool
Innovation Hub 2: Capturing the full impact of partnership initiatives
Our second IH project considered the key area of impact evaluation, important for cross-sector partnerships because it provides the evidence, accountability, and learning needed to make collaboration meaningful not just symbolic. This culminated in a report (LINK) which examines how schools and their partners can embed robust, meaningful evaluation into partnership work by combining clear aims, Theory of Change (ToC) models, and reliable impact measurement. It considers four strands: capturing the impact of projects, theory of change (giving meaningful evaluation), impact platforms and impact reporting.
What can participants expect from the innovation hub?
Involvement: Members can help shape an aspect of partnership working – from drawing up tools to establishing structures.
Exchange: Participants meet to exchange opinions. These are open sessions where people can robustly share their views.
Pooling expertise: Bringing together our community members to share ideas, knowledge and expertise is a key aspect of the work of S.P.A. – #StrongerTogether
Practical outcomes: Through our work, we generate outcomes that can be shared with all members, such as materials they can use, or adapt to meet their needs.
