Industry News
Independent school lends a helping hand to academy
Posted on 11th March 2008
Top private school Winchester College is set to support one of the government's flagship academies as part of a drive to improve education for children from poorer backgrounds.
The school will help plan the new academy, which is 30 miles away, and will share teaching materials and staff training with the institution.
Ralph Townsend, headmaster of Winchester College, said that the "historic mission" of the school corresponds with the aims of the academy programme.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for Winchester to look outward, to share our knowledge and experience with those with similar aspirations to us," he added.
Schools minister Lord Adonis said at least 20 independent schools had signed up to the academy programme so far.
This latest announcement comes as private schools are being told to open their doors to children from poorer backgrounds or risk losing their charitable status.
Dame Suzi Leather, chairman of the Charity Commission, is set to tell the UK's top public schools that they must prove they benefit their local communities if they want to keep the £100 million worth of annual tax breaks they currently enjoy.