Horncastle schools are leading the way

Last year, Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School and Banovallum School became the first non-selective and selective schools to join forces.

Although both schools retain their independence, they share a number of practices under the umbrella of an academy trust.

Headteachers at both schools have praised the success of the partnership with QEGS and Banovallum recently reporting excellent GCSE and A-level results.

Now, the town’s MP Victoria Atkins has suggested in a House of Commons debate that other schools across the country could follow the example of Horncastle as part of the Government’s expected shake-up of the education system.

Ms Atkins praised the co-operation between the two schools and said the partnership was ‘bringing students together’.

Directing her comments to Education Secretary Justine Greening, Ms Atkins said: “I welcome my Right Honourable friend’s commitment to sharing the success of grammar schools with neighbouring non-selective schools.

“I welcome it because it is already happening in my constituency with the Horncastle Umbrella Trust, thought to be the first partnership in the country between a grammar school, Queen Elizabeth’s, and its neighbouring non-selective academy, Banovallum School.

“The trust works for the good of all children in Horncastle, sharing teaching practices and facilities, and bringing the students together to learn together, with pleasing GCSE results this summer for Banovallum.

“Will my Right Honourable friend please look at these schools and the other excellent selective and non-selective schools in my constituency to see whether their example can work elsewhere in the country?”

The Education Secretary responded: “I think my Honourable friend will welcome the proposals that we are setting out in the consultation document.

“It aims to look at how we can see stronger, more connected relationships between grammar schools and other schools nearby, and how, working together, they can lift overall attainment.”