By Amber Waite, Principal and CEO, St Albans Education Group

As the independent education sector evolves in response to the shifting economic landscape, more schools are exploring the option of joining a group. At St Albans Education Group, we have not only noticed a change in frequency of these conversations, but also a change in their tone. Increasingly, we are speaking with confident, forward-thinking governors and leaders who are not reacting to crisis, but planning for long-term sustainability and future growth.

At its best, joining a group is not about rescue, it is about partnership.

For many schools, the potential benefits are clear. Greater financial resilience, access to capital, economies of scale, and the support of experienced central teams can all create the space for school leaders to focus on what matters most: delivering an outstanding education. For some, it also provides reassurance during times of uncertainty, particularly in a climate of rising costs and increasing regulatory complexity.

However, joining a group is a significant decision which requires careful thought, honest reflection, and a clear understanding of what success looks like for your school community.

So, where to begin?

Start the conversation early Before you feel you need to. Schools that start the process from a position of relative strength inevitably have more choice, more negotiating power, and more time to find the right partner. Waiting until a financial challenge becomes acute can narrow options considerably.

Keep an open mind It is tempting to begin with a preferred group, but the most successful partnerships often come from a broader exploration of the landscape. Speak to a range of organisations and take time to understand how each operates. Every group has its own ethos, governance structure, and approach to supporting schools. The key question you should be asking is “which group feels like the right fit for our school’s values, ambitions, and community?”

Ask searching questions And expect evidence. Early conversations are your opportunity to understand not just what a group promises, but how it delivers. Ask about their track record: how have other schools fared after joining? What support is provided during periods of change? How are decisions made, and where does accountability sit? Good partners welcome questions and will respond with clarity and transparency.

Be open, honest, and realistic A successful partnership is built on trust from the outset. Be candid about challenges rather than trying to present an overly polished picture. Any issues will come to light during due diligence, and openness early on allows both parties to assess whether there is a viable and positive path forward. Equally, it is important for schools to be realistic about their own trajectory and to share sensible thoughts on how a group can help them implement strategic change to secure their future.

Understand what will change Joining a group will bring change, sometimes more than anticipated. Systems may be centralised, reporting lines may shift, and there may be restructuring as part of aligning the school within the wider organisation. While necessary and ultimately beneficial, it can feel unsettling for staff and requires thoughtful leadership. Being clear about this from the outset helps to manage expectations and reduce uncertainty.

Prepare for the process The practical side of joining a group is often underestimated. Due diligence is a detailed and demanding process, particularly for bursars and finance teams, and requires accurate, timely production of information. Ensuring that your team has the capacity to manage this while continuing the day-to-day running of the school is essential.

Focus on communication If there is one factor that consistently underpins successful transitions, it is communication. Staff, parents, and pupils will all have questions, concerns, and, in some cases, anxieties. A clear, thoughtful communication plan, delivered with honesty and empathy, makes an enormous difference.

Expect the unexpected No two mergers are the same. Timelines shift, challenges emerge, and it will require flexibility and resilience. What matters most in these moments is the strength of the relationship between the school and the group. Where there is mutual trust and a shared commitment to the school’s future, solutions can almost always be found.

Keep people at the heart Ultimately, schools are communities, defined not by structures or systems, but by the people within them: pupils, staff, families, and the wider network of support that surrounds them.

Joining a group can be positive and empowering, enabling schools to thrive, not just survive. And in a changing educational ecosystem, a sense of shared purpose and collective strength has never been more important.

If you are looking for advice about joining a group or just an informal chat about any of the points I have raised here, please do get in touch (principal@staeg.org.uk) – I would love to hear from you.

This article originally appeared in Independent Schools Magazine