Schools Partnerships Blueprint - The power of a community.

Yes.... I know... Its Thursday and these are supposed to come out on Monday! I'm afraid our www.steam2024.org event is next Tuesday and time has been a little tight this week. Anyway, I got there eventually - Enjoy.

The Power of the WhatsApp Relationship: Building Communities in School Partnerships

In the world of partnerships, relationships are everything. The difference between a thriving partnership and one that fades into history often lies in the strength of these relationships and the regularity of contact. At ACS International Schools, we’ve embraced an approach to partnerships that goes beyond formalities, evolving into what we call the "WhatsApp Relationship." It’s a way of working where our partner schools become our close friends, and the lines between ‘us’ and ‘them’ dissolve as we collaborate for the benefit of the children in our shared care.

The WhatsApp Community of Practice: A New Approach to Partnership

Partnerships in education have traditionally followed formal paths, requiring scheduled meetings, email chains, and approval processes. While these methods are sometimes necessary, they can also create barriers that slow down collaboration. Our WhatsApp groups break down those barriers, fostering a more immediate and authentic style of communication that benefits everyone involved.

We’ve set up dedicated WhatsApp groups for key stakeholders:

• Partnership Leaders Group: A space for peers in similar roles (Partnerships Directors/Managers/Coordinators) to share insights, resources, and support. If you work in partnerships within the education sector, I invite you to join us – just send me a direct message.
• Headteachers Groups: Each of our campuses has a WhatsApp group where local headteachers can connect to discuss opportunities, share resources, and coordinate efforts.
• Event Communities: For events like our upcoming STEAM2024.org and our conferences, we create WhatsApp groups for delegates to engage before, during, and after the event. This allows for meaningful connections to form and ideas to flourish well beyond the confines of the event itself.
• Supplier Groups: These enable suppliers and event partners to connect, exchange details, and collaborate on future projects.

Breaking Down Barriers: The WhatsApp Relationship in Action

The beauty of these WhatsApp communities is that they remove the need for formalities. When our partners need to use a resource—whether it’s our science labs, sports facilities, or any other asset—the conversation is not about asking for permission but rather asking if the resource is available. It’s a shared approach where resources are not seen as belonging to one institution but to the entire community of schools that we partner with.

This informal but deeply connected approach streamlines communication and allows us to respond quickly to needs as they arise. It also means that when we share risk assessments, event plans, or curriculum resources, we are saving significant administrative time and effort for everyone involved.

From Off-the-Cuff Conversations to Great Ideas

One of the most powerful aspects of the WhatsApp Relationship is the way it enables spontaneous conversations. Ideas don’t always come from scheduled meetings or formal emails; often, the best initiatives are born out of off-the-cuff remarks, quick questions, or sub-conversations in a group chat. This immediacy allows us to address issues, seize opportunities, and innovate in real-time.

The reach of these conversations extends beyond local needs, as our WhatsApp communities span regions and even countries. This wide network helps us realise that different regions have different needs or ways of doing things, giving us valuable perspectives that enrich our approach to education and partnership.

Economies of Scale: The Collective Power of Our Community

The WhatsApp Relationship also brings practical benefits to the children in our care. By bringing together multiple schools and partners into one community, we can leverage economies of scale to offer additional resources, services, and opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible. This could include shared access to specialised training, pooled purchasing for events or educational tools, or even coordinated charity initiatives.

The ability to communicate instantly with our partners opens doors that traditional methods would not. When resources are shared across schools, the impact on students is significant. They gain access to facilities, learning experiences, and extracurricular activities that extend beyond their immediate school environment.

Real-World Impact: A Case for the WhatsApp Relationship

In our experience, the WhatsApp Relationship has led to several tangible benefits for students and educators alike:

• Quick Access to Resources: With instant messaging, there’s no waiting on emails to be answered; if a sports field is free, a simple message confirms it and arrangements can be made immediately.
• Cross-School Learning Opportunities: By sharing teaching materials and organising joint activities, we enrich the educational experiences available to all students.
• Collaboration Across Regions: Insights from our partner schools nationally and abroad have helped us to adapt our approach and understand different cultural contexts, making us more effective and inclusive in our practices.

Building a Global Network

As we continue to grow these communities across the country and around the globe, we are continually reminded of the importance of shared experiences. Different regions may have unique challenges, but by working together, we can pool our collective knowledge and resources to address them. It’s about creating a culture of mutual support and continuous learning, where everyone is invested in the success of the partnership.

Using WhatsApp Effectively: Tips for Maximising Its Power

To truly unlock the potential of WhatsApp for partnerships, it’s essential to use the platform effectively across devices. While having WhatsApp on your mobile is convenient for on-the-go communication, duplicating it on your computer or laptop can be a game-changer. Being able to quickly and efficiently respond to messages with a keyboard ensures you never miss important conversations as notifications pop up on your screen.

For busy periods, you can selectively mute individual groups to minimise distractions, allowing you to focus on high-priority tasks. However, if you're leading a group, it’s crucial to stay actively engaged, ensuring the group remains dynamic and relevant. This means regularly contributing to discussions, sharing useful resources, and keeping conversations lively to maintain the momentum and keep the group front and centre. An active WhatsApp group is a valuable resource, but it needs consistent nurturing to achieve its full potential

An Open Invitation

I’d like to extend an open invitation to anyone working in partnerships within schools to join our WhatsApp community of practice. Whether you’re new to the field or have been working in partnerships for years, you’ll find a supportive network of peers who are eager to share, collaborate, and learn. If you’d like to join us, please send me a direct message, and let’s continue building these invaluable relationships. We don't allow companies or sales in our groups, you have to be a school based partnerships professional to apply.

The Future of Partnerships

The WhatsApp Relationship represents a shift from traditional models of partnership communication to one that is flexible, collaborative, and deeply human. It’s a model where the focus is on what truly matters—the children in our care—and where every conversation, no matter how casual, has the potential to open new doors and drive positive change.

Let’s keep the conversation going.