Education Improvement Partnership (EIP) Governance

Many Cheshire East schools are reaping significant benefits from collaborations in a number of contexts, including Education Improvement Partnerships (EIPs).  However, while professional links within EIPs are often strong, governance arrangements are still relatively weak in many areas. 

Governor involvement, via termly forum meetings for example, does not fulfil or replace the requirement for appropriate governance arrangements.  Such arrangements can be made relatively easily through the formation of a joint Governing Body committee between the member schools, which can be given delegated authority by the member Governing Bodies to oversee the work and finances of the EIP.  Without this or a comparable arrangement EIPs will not have appropriate accountability structures which is likely to preclude further Local Authority funding and commissioning beyond those currently agreed and which will cease in 2011.   

Some EIPs already have this arrangement in place and others are considering the model.  All EIPs are urged to this model which is, as indicated, is procedurally straightforward, unless they have a comparably robust structure in place, such as a Trust. 

All schools in Cheshire East are part of an EIP.  If governors are unsure which schools are in their EIP or what work the EIP is involved with they should discuss this with their Headteacher in the first instance.

The Cheshire East recommended model for EIP Governance (MS Word, 45KB) can be downloaded here.  For further support and guidance contact the School Governance Team.