About AROPS

AROPS was founded in 1971 by Mike Comer of the Old Johnians, St John’s School, Leatherhead. Today, AROPS - The Schools' Alumni Association is a non-political, not-for-profit organisation that promotes the exchange of best practice, create ideas and thought leadership in alumni engagement for professionals and volunteers working in independent and state schools, both in the UK and overseas.

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What we do

Conferences

Conferences are always opened by the Head of the host school, and we invite a guest to speak about a relevant top of current interest to members, Breakout or plenary sessions are held before and after lunch. These cover topical areas such as data management and GDPR, social media planning, reaching young alumni, maximising event attendance, measuring impact and working with the development team.

AGM

The 2024 AGM is scheduled to be held at Queen's Gate School in South West London this November.

Regional Meetings

AROPS has been running successful informal Regional Meetings in member schools for a number of years. Meeting agendas are set by attendees. An AROPS representative facilitates discussions and updates members on current trends and issues impacting alumni engagement. Members can share concerns, gain invaluable advice, and generate new ideas and solutions in a supportive and friendly environment. Meeting dates for the coming year and beyond are published on our Events page.

Staying in Touch

Regular newsletters are sent out by email, and the Members website forum allow alumni professionals and volunteers to collaborate electronically, sharing ideas and networking.

Our Vision

While continuing to exchange best practice on all operational aspects of alumni engagement, AROPs – The Schools’ Alumni Association aims to help to secure the long term future of its member schools by generating collating and share thought leadership narratives on best practice in alumni engagement:* both as part of the development function, and beyond it. AROPS - The Schools' Alumni Association will champion:

Alumni as ambassadors who embody the culture, values, ethos and character of their schools

Alumni as contributors to independent and state education as governors, trustees, volunteers, donors, speakers, mentors and key influencers

The role of alumni in influencing and impacting admissions, marketing and the reputation of schools

Building healthy, functioning, mutually supporting relationships with Development offices and other external facing functions in schools

Communicating changing societal values, and political narratives around independent schools to alumni professionals and volunteers

Communicating the changing values, aspirations and expectations of Millennials and Generation Z to improve alumni engagement to this demographic

Championing equality and diversity on alumni representative boards, societies and associations to reflect the current make-up of the school and wider society

*AROPS does not exchange best practice specifically on fundraising or Development but constructively engages with the Institute of Development Professionals in Education (IDPE) and other relevant professional Associations on behalf of its’ members, gathering useful and relevant advice and guidance for member schools, and advising these bodies on the broader role and purpose of alumni engagement.

Our Mission

AROPS – The Schools’ Alumni Association's mission is to provide a forum to exchange best practice in all aspects of alumni engagement, and provides opportunities for volunteers and professionals to network, learn and share ideas.

AROPS membership is open to schools and separate alumni societies or clubs. Representatives of member schools and clubs include professionals working in alumni engagement or development, heads and senior leaders, club secretaries and committee volunteers, and marketeers. Members are drawn from a wide range of schools, from small prep schools to state and independent senior schools, to sixth form colleges schools in the UK and overseas.