Following consultation with the boarding schools sector, it was identified that the range of services offered by the Education UK Partnership and the pricing structure were deterring boarding schools from joining the Partnership.

A working group, chaired by Dame Sandra Burslem, was established in 2007 to consider how the Partnership can engage further with this important sector. The group included the input of Stuart Taylor, the Partnership Board representative for independent schools, Katherine Forestier, Director Education, British Council Hong Kong (a major market for schools), and Arlene Griffiths, Director Education UK Partnership.

Qualitative market research was conducted by Nigel Thompson Consultancy Limited. This consisted of a series of in-depth interviews with members and non-members from the sector. The aim of the research was to gauge response from boarding schools to existing and proposed Partnership services. This research was carried out with the assistance of the Association for Marketing and Development in Independent Schools (AMDIS).

Guided by the results of the research, the working group proposed a possible product range and various membership options to the Operating Board. The Board gave its approval for further investigation; and we tested the proposals with a practitioner panel from the sector. A membership package based on the outcomes of the practitioner panel was submitted to and approved by the Executive and Operating Boards in March / April 2008.

The new services package is currently being launched and details are available in the services for boarding schools section.