Member Article

National acclaim for Darlington education firm

A company providing essential services to schools and academies has won national acclaim as it helps them manage their affairs in a new era of education.

Demand for the expertise of Darlington-based Avec Partnership has reached an unprecedented level as more than 100 schools and academies access the company’s expertise rather than receive services from local authorities.

Advice offered by Avec, which operates only in the education sector, includes human resources, finance, health and safety, governance and academy conversion support.

The expanding business has just been shortlisted for a prestigious national accolade at the Education Investor Awards, due to be held at the Hilton Hotel in Park Lane, London on November 14.

Avec was founded just three years ago by former local authority senior officer Julie Sowerby and Sarah Monk, a former school vice principal, and has just moved to larger offices in Lingfield Point, Darlington.

It has recently recruited four new members of staff taking its workforce of educational experts to 26 with plans for further expansion.

Many of their staff previously worked for cash-strapped local authorities but have found a new role with Avec.

Avec supports more than 100 schools across Darlington, Stockton, Hartlepool, Redcar, Middlesbrough, Durham, Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Leeds.

It has also helped more than 50 schools in the region convert to academy status, which is almost half of all the converted schools in the region.

The company has recently been helping schools and academies implement Government changes to teachers’ pay and supports the work of governors through its governance service.

Avec’s first apprentice Gemma Waugh, who started with the company in September 2012, recently won the Accounting Technician of the Year Award at the North East Accountancy Awards and Avec plans to recruit another apprentice soon.

Recent projects include project managing the academy conversion of St Michael’s School in Billingham, which has been sponsored by the Darlington-based Carmel Education Trust, and supporting the Marchbank Free School, which opened on September 1, as part of the Education Village Academy Trust.

“Head teachers, governors and school business managers face increasing challenges as their roles become more complex and our services are aimed at relieving some of the pressure through our expert and professional support,” said Sarah, who once worked for Durham County Council, Darlington Borough Council and helped set up the pioneering Darlington Education Village.

“We are delighted that the Education Investor Magazine Awards panel has recognised the hard work of all our team and the impact we have in the schools we work with. We are also proud to be North East based and receive this national recognition.”

For more information on Avec contact Sarah on 07966 571818 or visit the website www.avec-partnership.com

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .