Where children grow up has stark consequences for their future success. This summer, London GCSE entries were 60% more likely to achieve top GCSE grades than entries in the North East. At A level, a third of London entries gained A/A*, compared to less than a quarter in the North East. These gaps aren’t just statistics: they dictate university access, career opportunities, and life chances.
Challenge Partners exists to change that. Built on the proven legacy of the London Challenge, we now support over 500 schools and 420,000 pupils, with over 40% in disadvantaged regions. Our model - 30 thriving local hubs united in a national network - drives systemic improvement where it is needed most.
We are seeking support to accelerate this impact: spreading best practice across regions, equipping every child with opportunity, and transforming communities by extending educational excellence.
Closing the Gap: Systemic problems need systemic solutions
Stark regional inequalities
This year’s exam results once again laid bare the divide:
- GCSEs: 71.6% of London entries achieved a standard pass (grade 4+), compared to only 62.9% in the West Midlands.
- Top GCSE grades: 28.4% of London entries were awarded grade 7+, versus just 17.8% in the North East.
- A levels: 32.1% of London entries gained A/A*, versus 22.9% in the North East.
- University access: The gap in application rates between London and the North East has grown from 19% in 2019 to 26% in 2025.
These figures represent lost potential and entrenched disadvantage. Without intervention, the divide will only widen.
Our systemic solution
Challenge Partners offers a systemic response to this systemic problem. Our aim: every child, in every region, every day, taught by an excellent teacher in a school that understands and meets their needs.
We deliver this through a two-pronged approach:
- Bespoke support that tackles local barriers to excellence.
- Mobilising proven best practice across regional and organisational boundaries.
This model is built on the London Challenge, which transformed outcomes for a generation of children in the capital. We were founded in 2011 by some of its key leaders, and have spent 14 years scaling its success nationwide, adapting to the unique context of each region we work in.
Our impact so far
- We support 500+ schools, serving 420,000 pupils to improve teaching, leadership and outcomes for disadvantaged pupils.
- Independent evaluations prove our programmes work, and every year disadvantaged pupils in our schools outperform national benchmarks.
- 30 local hubs from Cornwall to County Durham, each led by strong local leaders and funded by Challenge Partners to tackle the issues holding schools and pupils back.
- Sustained growth in areas of greatest need: over 40% of Challenge Partners schools are now in the North and Midlands.
In 2025, targeted growth in the North East reached 11,000 pupils; in 2026 we will expand further into the West Midlands.
“Through Challenge Partners, one class teacher in one school, somewhere in the network can share something, and it can then ripple, not just across one other school, but across multiple schools. And that one idea that they had can then shape the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of children.”
Phil Hedger, CEO of LEO Academy Trust, in Challenge Partners since 2015.
Why now?
The need is urgent - and solvable. We know what works: trust-based local collaboration, excellent teaching, and spreading proven practice across boundaries.
We are seeking support to reach more of the students and communities in greatest need by:
- Sponsoring the growth of new hubs in areas of entrenched disadvantage.
- Funding the sharing of best practice between regions.
Equipping local leaders to deliver lasting, systemic change.
Join us
With support, we can ensure postcode is no longer destiny, transforming outcomes for children, families and communities across England.
"Our partnership with Challenge Partners, representing more than a decade of funding and collaboration, is one of our strongest and deepest non-profit relationships.
Initially through the Social Business Trust and now through the Permira Foundation, we have worked alongside Challenge Partners’ team at Board, Executive and operational levels, sharing our expertise and resources to support CP to deliver local and systemic impact for schools and pupils in the UK.
Our partnership has been highly impactful, beyond the value of grant funding provided - we've supported with fundraising, digital transformation and leadership development. This has been made possible by CPs openness to collaboration; a relentless focus on delivering quality provision and continuous ambition to close the attainment gap for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. We’re thrilled to play our part in CPs mission and to continue our partnership in 2025."
Lionel Hill, Group CTO, Permira