News and blogs
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From early years to employment: three place-based partnerships driving change
Our Place-Based Collaboration Partnerships are deep, long-term, funded projects to improve life chances for children and young people in partnership with three mayoral combined authorities (MCAs).
Each partnership focuses on a different stage of the journey from childhood to employment, reflecting the priorities of the region while contributing to shared learning across the Alliance.
Here’s an introduction to each Collaboration Partnership from the MCA project leads.
The Schools White Paper - turning ambition into delivery
The Schools White Paper is the bold and ambitious commitment to tackling educational inequity that England needs. Its central test now is delivery. We must work in partnership to turn aspiration into sustained, system-wide change.
Co-CEO Sam Butters to step down after 9 years at the Fair Education Alliance
Sam Butters has announced she will step down as Co-CEO of the Fair Education Alliance at the end of April 2026. Gina Cicerone, Co-CEO with Sam since 2019, will continue to lead the Fair Education Alliance as CEO.
Youth Summit 2026 - young people leading the way
On Tuesday 17 February, we welcomed over 180 young people who have faced barriers to their education to our biggest-ever Youth Summit.
Designed by young people, for young people, and led by our FEA Youth Steering Group, the Youth Summit created space for honest conversation, practical action and real influence.
Warren, a member of the Youth Steering Group, shares his reflections in this blog post.
Initial response to the School’s White Paper
The Fair Education Alliance shares an initial response to the Department for Education’s White Paper ‘Every child achieving and thriving’.
Over 180 young people gather to engage with politicians and learn skills for social action
Over 180 young people aged 11-21 who have experienced barriers in education gathered in London at the Fair Education Alliance’s annual Youth Summit – a day designed, curated and led by young people determined to reshape the education system.
Preparing young people for tomorrow’s world
During National Apprenticeships Week, Youth Steering Group members David and Israa share their lived experiences of apprenticeships — from earning while learning to progressing into employment. Their reflections highlight the importance of strong post-16 pathways, essential skills and better support to ensure apprenticeships work for all young people.
National Year of Reading - why it matters and how we can all play a part
Emma Bell, CEO of Chapter One shares her reflections on why the National Year of Reading gives use the opportunity think differently about how we motivate children and young people to read, and how we meet them where they are.
Shaping education policy in 2026
We brought together early reflections from FEA members on what successful implementation could look like across three different areas that were included in the Curriculum and Assessment Review.
One month to go until the Youth Summit
With less than a month to go until the Fair Education Youth Summit, we’re sharing why young people should join this high-impact opportunity to build confidence, develop skills and engage directly with the decisions that affect their lives.
A note from our Chair as we look ahead
An update from our Chair, Dr Vanessa Ogden CBE, as we look ahead to what’s to come in 2026 for the Fair Education Alliance.
Making inclusive, high-standard schools a reality for children with SEND
As the government prepares to publish the Schools White Paper, the Fair Education Alliance and the Disabled Children’s Partnership are calling for bold, system-wide reform to make inclusion for all the norm not the exception. Read our shared vision here.
Relive the Fair Education Summit
Watch recordings of all the main sessions from the Fair Education Summit 2025 and relive those key conversations from the day.
Reflections from a youth judge for the FEA’s place-based Collaboration Partnerships
Youth Steering Group member Aisha writes about her experience helping to decide which Mayoral Combined Authorities would receive over £500,000 in support and funding.
Our 2025 Highlights
The Fair Education Alliance team share some of their favourite moments from the year.
Our response to the National Youth Strategy
We welcome to the launch of the Government’s National Youth Strategy and its commitment to giving young people the agency and support they need to thrive.
Fair Education Alliance, supported by Bloomberg, enlists Metro Mayors as part of £6 million programme to tackle educational inequity
Today we announced the Mayoral Combined Authorities selected for three Collaboration Partnerships, as part of our ‘Neighbourhood to National’ strategy.
One week to go: building momentum for the Fair Education Summit 2025
With less than a week to go until the Fair Education Summit 2025, we’re sharing some of the key speakers and panellists taking part in the day.
FEA congratulates government for change in benefits policy which will lift half a million children out of poverty
Our response to the Autumn Budget
A first look at the Fair Education Summit 2025 Agenda
A first look at the Fair Education Summit 2025 Agenda.