Lowick Cluster of Social Enterprises

Phase 2: an alternative plan to establish the school as a social enterprise

It was during these two review periods, between 1999 and 2004, that the Lowick Educational Trust was created and established as a social enterprise, with the support of Enterprising Communities.  Its specific function was, and remains, to research ways to protect the future of educational provision in the area.  The work of the Trust is based on its belief that a small rural primary school can be run more effectively and sustainably as a participative organisation associated with the provision of other community services.  The Trust was able to access consultative support from Enterprising Communities, Co-operative and Mutual Solutions and Cobbets Solicitors funded by Co-operative Action.  Using these resources it developed two innovative models for a participative, community-managed rural school. 

The first model proposed the creation of a state-funded co-operative school on a similar model to that used to support faith-schools by local education authorities (LEA).  This proposal was the subject of an extensive consultation exercise and generated substantial support locally, regionally and also nationally. Indeed, Lowick became the first community to propose the creation of a state funded co-operative school.  The proposal however had to go before the same SOC, and permission was refused by this body in their role as representative of the LEA.

The Trust had a second option, which was then put into action.  This proposed the continuation of the school as an independent, non-fee paying, and co-operative school.  The school was opened on this basis as a pilot project to demonstrate the benefits of functioning as a co-operative school.  However despite completing a successful first year, follow-on funding was not available to complete the three-year pilot.  The foreshortened pilot was enabled through grants provided by Co-op Action, the Co-operative Charitable Foundation and extensive support from the Eric Wright Trust, CGP publications and local community members.  The staff worked voluntarily for the first half term to help establish the school, and parents developed a rota of support.  During this time a Community Mutual was established incorporating the values and principles of Co-operation into the development of new activities in the school using a 7 star assessment process.  This mutual is the second social enterprise - Community Learning Lowick.

Despite the considerable support, interest and investment offered to the school in this new form as a co-operative venture, the pilot lost funds at the end of the first year of its three-year business plan.  This was primarily because of concerns amongst the main funders involved that, regardless of how successful the pilot might be, the school was very unlikely to be able to become state funded because it would still have to re-present its proposal for state funding to the same SOC as before.  In consequence, the school lost funds in August 2005 and ceased operations as a formal school at that point.