Partnerships and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Independent Education

Independent-state school partnerships are inspiring, valuable and the range of such partnerships is awe-inspiring. Once again, those highlighted in this report demonstrate the value of partnership working, with schools sharing their expertise, resources, and capacity to the benefit of all.

As schools are recovering from the pandemic, we have seen all types of school responding well, reestablishing postponed activities, arranging new activities to overcome the effects of lockdown, and continuing online activities which worked well. All schools have much to gain from these partnerships, and activities aimed at supporting university entry and careers advice can be so important for tackling disadvantage and spreading opportunities.

I want to encourage all my fellow MPs: do go and visit schools who are forming and strengthening these mutually beneficial partnerships. You are certain of a warm welcome, and fascinating insights. What is more, I encourage you to speak to all local schools and see if they can get involved in new or existing partnership working, to the benefit of all.

To all the schools in this report, and all those working together across the country: thank you! What you do is so important, working to care for and nurture our most precious resource – our children and young people.

Andrew Lewer MBE MP Chairman of the APPG on Independent Education and member of the Education Select Committee