Throughout the country independent and state schools are working together in a wide variety of different ways. In York, for example, all secondary schools are involved in a partnership programme which brings them together for foreign language teaching, mentoring by local business leaders and other activities overseen by some 400 teachers. In Dorset the Dorchester Area Schools Partnerships unites a diverse range of 19 educational establishments, breaking down barriers between the sectors. In total nearly 1000 independent schools are now involved in partnership work.
A Partnerships Forum, supported by the Department for Education, was established in 2002 to help stimulate joint activity. The Forum held a major conference in London on January 20 at which teachers and students spoke inspiringly about their achievements. Closing the conference, Alistair Lexden paid tribute to them and called for wider public recognition of this largely unsung contribution to educational and social progress.
The Partnerships Forum organises a meeting at the DFE during each school term. It is chaired by Deborah Leek-Bailey OBE(email: [email protected] for further information).