Best Independent-Maintained School Collaboration

Blundell's School

Following partnership working discussions, the Blundell's science department was asked if it could work with a group of nine local primary schools. The result was a CSI day.

Chalk outlines of bodies (complete with fake blood) and crime scene tape grabbed the attention of parents dropping their children off. Inside, the visitors were greeted by Slim the Skeleton and ghoulish props. Y12 volunteers swept attendees off to biology for the first part of the investigation, working out in which restaurant the victim ate his last meal by analysing stomach contents.

Returning to chemistry, they conducted tests on soil samples to confirm where the victim was poisoned. Back to biology to test samples of drink, and finally back into chemistry to identify which waiter killed him.

Each of the nine schools took back the skills they learnt on the workshop for further dissemination and practice at their own schools.

Brighton College

A study into university applications shows that people from impoverished upbringings, and particularly from ethnic minorities, are less likely to have access to higher education. The Kingsford Scholarship Scheme provides a benchmark on how public schools can assist in social mobility.

A close co-operation between Richard Cairns and Joan Deslandes, heads of Brighton College and Kingsford Community School respectively, has resulted in a successful partnership between the schools. This involves sharing ideas and best practice. It has been cemented by the two heads joining the other school's governing body.

Kingsford College has airport-style security checks, the head searches children for weapons in her office; all youngsters have to sign a pledge not to carry a knife and there's a police officer onsite.

Two to three scholarship places are given a year. The successful pupils attend Brighton with a fully supported place, partly funded by HSBC and donations from existing alumni.

King's College Taunton

Latin remains a strong subject at King's. Large numbers choose Latin on entry and many take it to GCSE and A level. The head of classics, Lisa Cashmore, offered extra Latin lessons as part of the school's outreach programme.

Bishop Fox School, which is across the road from King's, took up the offer and selected 20 Y9 and Y10 students to start the course in September 2010. Having applied to The Friends of Classics and The Roman Society, Lisa received funding (£275) towards the provision of textbooks and a DVD to support the course.

The class meets for one hour a week at King's College. In June, Lisa took the group to Oxford University to visit the Classics Department and the Ashmolean Museum. This is a day organised in partnership with the Oxford Classics outreach officer, Cressida Ryan.

Winner: Sheffield High School GDST

The impact of winning this category in 2010 has been so positive that Sheffield High's links with maintained schools have since expanded. The school has worked with Futurewise (sponsors of last year's award) to set up "Raising Aspirations", a conference for Y9 students from eight secondary schools in South Yorkshire. It targets able Y9 students from families with no previous history of higher education. Activities focus on communication and confidence-building, teamwork and leadership skills, involving local business leaders sharing their experiences of succeeding, and promoting the idea of social mobility.

Another project, with Sheffield City Council, targets ten of the lowest performing primary schools in some of the most deprived areas.

Following a successful application to SHINE, it has set up a ten-week scheme which offers curriculum-enrichment activities for Y5 children from the ten primary schools.

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