Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Independent and State School Partnerships

Monday 1 November 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government is committed to cross-sector partnerships between independent and state schools across England.
  • Worksop College, an independent school in Brendan Clarke-Smith's constituency, engages in community work with local state primary and junior schools.
  • Partnerships between independent and state schools are seen as key to economic recovery, according to the Minister.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Brendan Clarke-Smith
Education
Context

The question aims to inquire about the government's plans to encourage partnerships specifically in Bassetlaw and across England. It seeks details on how these partnerships can contribute to educational recovery.

Question

What plans he has to help encourage partnerships between independent and state schools in (a) Bassetlaw and (b) England.

Answer from Robin Walker

The Government are committed to cross-sector partnerships across England. We continue to work constructively with them to encourage more schools to engage with such partnership working.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Does not provide specific plans or actions for fostering these partnerships, just a general commitment

How: Under Review, Working Constructively

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Q2 Brendan Clarke-Smith
Education
Context

The supplementary question follows up on the initial inquiry, emphasizing specific initiatives by Worksop College in Bassetlaw. The MP notes the college's chemistry roadshows for local primary schools, hosting of parkrun events for junior school pupils, and its community work.

Question

I thank the Minister for his answer. He mentioned Worksop College, an independent school in my constituency, which offers chemistry roadshows for local state primary schools, hosts a weekly parkrun for local junior school pupils and does a lot of other community work. Does he agree that such independent/state school partnerships can be a key part of educational recovery? Does he welcome the forthcoming “Celebrating Partnerships” report from the Independent Schools Council, and will he therefore encourage all schools to get involved in cross-sector partnerships?

Answer from Robin Walker

The short answer is that I will, and I welcome another question from another former teacher on the Conservative Benches. Such partnerships can form a key part of economic recovery, and I welcome the forthcoming “Celebrating Partnerships” report. I am very pleased to note that my noble Friend Baroness Barran has written the foreword for that important publication.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not directly address whether such partnerships are key to educational recovery or provide a commitment beyond a general welcome

How: Working Constructively, Economic Recovery

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