The Department for Education is working in collaboration
with the Independent Schools Council to support more
joint working between the independent and state school
sectors. Support will include drawing on the experience
and the expertise of independent schools in leadership,
teacher training, curriculum support, school improvement
and sponsorship, or setting up a free school.
Ms Greening reiterated the importance of sharing
knowledge and spreading expertise so that every child,
regardless of their background or circumstances, could go
on to fulfil their potential.
Education Secretary said:
We want every child, regardless of their background or
where they live, to have access to a good school place.
Many independent schools are already undertaking
partnership activities with state schools, helping
raise attainment across the wider school system.
We want to continue to harness the resources and
expertise of leading independent schools through more
partnership activities, sponsorships or setting up new
free schools, so more young people have the opportunity
to gain the knowledge and skills to fulfil their
potential.
The Independent Schools Council highlighted thousands of
existing partnerships including academic, sporting or
musical support, which are estimated to benefit around
10,000 state schools and 175,000 pupils.
Truro Prep School, in Cornwall, is already supporting the
state sector with music and sport partnerships, with 29
independent and state schools involved in the music
partnerships and 18 schools involved in the sports
partnerships.
New Hall School, in Essex, was the first independent
school to sponsor a primary school. It set up an academy
trust to sponsor Messing Primary School, which was in
special measures at the time. Since the partnership was
formed, performance at the primary school has improved
and Ofsted has rated its leadership and management
‘Outstanding’.
Speaking at the event, National Schools Commissioner Sir
David Carter commended the positive work being done by
independent schools and echoed the Secretary of State’s
comments about continuing these efforts. He spoke about
the Department for Education’s newly formed System
Partnership Unit that is working to support the
independent schools sector to broker partnerships and
relationships with the state sector. The department also
launched a leaflet to offer further guidance in setting
up or expanding existing partnerships.
The Celebrating Partnerships event was attended by
independent school headteachers, stakeholders and
teaching union representatives, all sharing the common
goal of breaking down barriers to social mobility so that
every child has access to a good education.
