CfSA - Strategy
This strategy:
- Clarifies our priorities, purpose and direction
- Sets out our response to challenges in the form of three strategic areas
- Defines activities within each strategic goal
- Builds resilience by helping us plan for and respond to change
Who we are
The Council for Subject Associations (CfSA) is an umbrella organisation, independent of Government, which represents United Kingdom subject associations and allows them to speak with each other and with a single voice on key issues and consultations related to the 0 – 19 education curriculum.
What we do
CfSA exists to strengthen the role and influence of subject associations for the benefit of learners, teachers, and subject leaders in all subjects related to the 0 – 19 curriculum. We share professional practice and research-informed approaches to the curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, teacher education and professional development.
Our vision
CfSA is the principal channel of communication between members, government, other professional organisations and the media on cross-disciplinary issues of curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, teacher education, and professional development. Subject associations are the first port of call for subject-specific expertise on these issues.
Strategic goals
Membership
Goals:
- Maintain a strong membership base;
- Meet the needs of member associations.
We will achieve this through the following activities:
- Actively reach out to subject associations that are not members to explain the benefits of membership;
- Set up, update and develop a directory of member associations;
Raise the profile of each member association through inclusion in the directory; - Promote and share good practice with and amongst member associations;
- Carry out an annual survey to ensure the CfSA understands and can meet members’ expectations.
Collective Voice
Goals:
- Strengthen relationships between subject associations and key agencies and stakeholders;
- Represent and lobby for members’ interests, influencing at the highest possible level.
We will achieve this through the following activities:
- Seek opportunities to represent the interests of members at the highest levels of policy making and governance;
- Monitor and respond to government consultations and select committee calls for evidence, when they affect members;
- Prepare ‘state of the nation’ briefing papers on behalf of members to share with significant groups;
- Each Director will have a portfolio of agencies or government bodies with which they liaise in order to ensure accountability for seamless communication on behalf of members and keeping abreast of new policy.
Collaboration
Goal:
- Strengthen existing collaboration between subject associations and develop new ways to improve and share best practice.
We will achieve this through the following activities:
- Lead on sharing best practice in organisation of subject associations
- Connect members to each other to share practice and issues;
- Facilitate, initiate and support cross-disciplinary collaboration;
- Act as a conduit to link member associations to relevant bids and research opportunities;
- Set up events for members, with access to an expert network of educators and policy makers.
