AROPS announce new strategy focusing on the role of alumni engagement in supporting independent schools’ social impact and outreach strategies.

AROPS – The Schools’ Alumni Association agreed its new strategy and vision at its AGM held at Queen’s Gate School, Kensington on 14^th November 2019. The vision focuses on championing the role of alumni in securing both the long term future of independent schools, as well as their state sponsored and partner schools.

AROPS was formerly the Association for Representatives of Old Pupils’ Societies. Today, it recognises the role alumni can and should play in supporting the vision and mission of their member schools, including advancing social impact and wider public benefit agendas. Today, AROPS welcomes alumni and development professionals, partnership leads, marketers Heads, as well as alumni committee volunteers.

Members are drawn from a wide range of schools, from small prep schools to state and independent senior schools, as well as sixth form colleges in the UK and overseas.  

Founded in 1971, AROPS - The Schools’ Alumni Association has always provided a forum to share best practice in alumni engagement, and continues to create opportunities for volunteers and professionals to network at regional meetings and its annual conference, held in a different member school each year. 
AROPS works alongside, and encourages cooperation with, development professional bodies such as IDPE, while remaining focused on sharing best practice in wider aspects of alumni engagement that benefit schools, current pupils, the alumni body and wider society - from reputation management to careers support. 

Run by and for its members, AROPS membership is affordable and scaled to allow smaller schools and independent societies to join. We welcome new member schools to join the debate and discussion, including overseas affiliated schools, sponsored state schools, free schools, academies and independent higher education institutions. 

Andrew Lewer MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Independent Schools has pledged his support: “Alumni engagement beyond fundraising is vitally important. I’m delighted to see The Schools’ Alumni Association’s new strategy focuses on exchanging best practice to the benefit of all schools in these challenging times, with a focus on broadening the debate around the role of alumni in supporting independent schools’ wider social purpose.”

Your school or society can join today for £50 or less per annum see https://arops.org.uk
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Notes to Editors: 
Contact: Jane Pendry, AROPS Committee Member and Strategy Lead
jane@socius.ch 07843 813 883
For details about the AROPS - the Schools’ Alumni Association Strategy & Vision see:  https://arops.org.uk/news/arops-strategy/10/10-AROPS-Strategy-and-Vision-Relevance-and-Impact-New-Aims-Objectives