This paper attempts to understand partnerships providing Continuing Professional Development in education. The focus of the research will be on strategic managers. The paper has four objectives. Firstly, to identify drivers of educational partnerships including assumptions about constant change, accountability, the threat of diminishing resources and increased competition. Secondly, to establish the significant elements of educational partnerships. Generic management research (such as Brown, Boyett and Robinson, 1994) indicate major aspects of partnerships may be: the formation of psychological contracts, partner accreditation, enhancement of information exchange, attempts to influence partner training, management development and quality standards, partnership inequalities and shared the perceptions of 'strategic fit' between partners that enables joint strategy formulation. Thirdly, to identify the perceived, potential benefits of partnerships. These may pertain to factors such as: cost reduction, improved quality. Fourthly, to explore some of the issues of partnership in recognising that partnership carries no guarantees, only opportunities.