The ‘Education Equity Community of Practice’ initiative will bring together an initial 10 key education equity stakeholders that are already directly or indirectly providing supports to low-socio-economic school communities.

The EEA is a not-for-profit organisation led by experienced educators and school leaders. Officially established as a charity in 2024, it evolved from an informal network.

Founder and Board Member Tim Warwick says he and other educators formed the EEA after hearing the same frustrations raised time and again.

“There is a significant gap in the outcomes of student cohorts, with considerable implications for their health, wellbeing and life outcomes,” Tim says.

He says that students and teachers often feel excluded from decision-making, and there is no coherent platform for stakeholders to collaborate.

“We are changing that by prioritising the voices of those directly impacted,” Tim says.

Together, The Brian M. Davis Charitable Foundation and the William Buckland Foundation are providing $240,000 to support the operations of a new Community of Practice, which includes peak education equity stakeholders.

Tim says that more than 400 students and teachers will have input into the project, which will culminate in the development of a governance structure, membership charter, and roadmap to sustain collaboration.

“Ultimately we aim for benefits including improved academic, wellbeing, and inclusion outcomes for students, particularly those from priority cohorts such as students from low-SES backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, culturally diverse communities, and students with disabilities,” he says.

“By fostering stronger partnerships between students, teachers, and system stakeholders, the project aims to create a more inclusive and effective education system. Critical to this is teachers also feeling more empowered and engaged to lead the change required.”

Tim says the EEA Community’s roadmap will lay the groundwork for ongoing collaboration, ensuring “this is just the beginning of long-term systemic change”.

“The support from the Brian M. Davis Charitable Foundation and William Buckland Foundation allows us to take an important first step in achieving our vision of equity for all students,” he says.

Specific activities include the regular convening of members to share practice and priorities, undertaking system mapping with the members, students and teachers, and facilitating co-design between the members to develop the structure and roadmap for ongoing collaboration.

The grants will go towards covering part of the overall cost of the initiative.

Find out more about the work of EEA.