Your questions, answered
The questions school leaders ask us most often about the Community Champion School Award, how it runs, what it costs and how the award is earned.
The programme
It is a year long professional development and accreditation programme. We train one member of your staff to become your school’s Community Champion, support them through six practical modules and three live cohort sessions, and then verify the evidence portfolio they build. Schools that meet the standard receive the award mark, a certificate and a digital badge.
Any member of staff with the remit and the appetite to build community links. In practice this is often a Deputy Head, a DSL, a Pastoral or Family Support Lead, or an Assistant Head with a community or inclusion brief. It does not need to be a senior leader, but the person does need senior leadership backing.
Plan for around two to three hours a month. The modules are self paced online, the three live cohort sessions are timetabled well in advance, and August is deliberately left free of deadlines so portfolios can be written at a comfortable pace.
Enrolment and onboarding run from September to December 2026, the programme starts in January 2027, portfolios are due on 30 September 2027 and awards are confirmed in October 2027.
The modules are online and self paced. The three cohort sessions are live and online, so there is no travel cost or cover to arrange.
The award
No. The award is earned, not bought. The fee covers the training, the cohort sessions and the verification process. The award mark is only issued when the evidence portfolio meets the standard.
We tell you exactly what is missing and give you a further window to strengthen the evidence and resubmit. Our aim is to get every committed school to the standard, not to catch anyone out.
The award mark runs for three years. Continuing membership keeps you connected to the network, gives you access to updated materials and supports you towards re-verification.
No. CCSA is an independent programme. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by Ofsted, the Department for Education, the Education Endowment Foundation or the National Children’s Bureau. References to their published work are provided for context only.
Cost and joining
The Founding Partner rate is a one off 1,750 pounds, compared with the standard 2,750 pounds, a saving of 1,850 pounds when combined with the first year of membership. Continuing membership after the award year is 850 pounds. Prices shown are the total payable. CCSA Education Ltd is not VAT registered, so no VAT is charged.
All six modules, three live cohort sessions, the onboarding call and planning session, portfolio templates and tools, verification of your evidence, and the award mark, certificate and digital badge on success.
Yes. The fee covers your school rather than an individual, and up to three colleagues can access the materials and cohort sessions. One named Champion leads the portfolio.
Founding Partners join the inaugural cohort at the reduced rate, help shape the programme as it develops, and are recognised as Founding Partner Schools in perpetuity.
Get in touch through the contact page. We will arrange a short call, talk through the fit for your school, and guide you through joining if it is right for you.
Still have a question?
Send us a note and we will reply within two working days, usually sooner.
A professional development and accreditation programme helping schools strengthen community engagement, recognise the work they do and build lasting connections beyond the school gates.
Explore
Get in touch
© 2026 Community Champion Schools Award. All rights reserved. · Privacy notice · FAQ
CCSA is an independent programme. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by Ofsted, the Department for Education, the Education Endowment Foundation or the National Children’s Bureau. References to their published work are provided for context only.