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Private school head calls for increased cooperation between state and public sectors

Posted on 20th June 2008

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An independent school headmaster has called for action to "break down the barriers" between the state and the public sectors.

Master of Brighton College Richard Cairns has argued that the heads of state and private schools should sit on one another's boards to get a greater understanding of how each operates.

He stated that while this does occur in some places around the country, it should be formalised by the government.

According to the Argus Mr Cairns said: "We are citizens of the same country, engaged in one mission: to realise the potential of every child in our care. It is time to break down the walls of misunderstanding and learn from one another."

His suggestion came following a successful partnership between Brighton College and Kingsford Community School in East London, from which its head Joan Deslandes was invited to join its college council governing body.

The former chief executive of the Independent Schools Council stepped down earlier this month, after arguing that a "cold war" had developed between the state and private sectors. ADNFCR-921-ID-18648455-ADNFCR