ISC: Partnership entering a new phase

12 February 2003

The Independent Schools Council (ISC) welcomed today's announcement of additional government investment in partnership between the state and independent schools, saying that it heralded a new and stronger relationship between the sectors.

The ISC, representing 1,280 accredited schools in membership of the major schools' associations, educating between them more than half a million children, said:

"Today's announcement by David Miliband of an additional £1.85 million confirms the government's commitment to developing partnership between the sectors. Taken together with the invitation to independent schools earlier this week, to participate in the ‘leading edge schools' programme, it clearly signals that partnership between the sectors is entering a new and stronger phase.

"The ISC will certainly encourage member schools to think creatively about their relationships with maintained school neighbours and to demonstrate in their bids for the latest round of partnership funding the resourcefulness and imagination which are a hallmark of the excellence in independent education.

"There are signs too that the government recognises that there are other vital factors in partnership, especially a preparedness on their part to listen to the concerns of independent schools on a wide range of issues. We will continue to press those concerns on ministers, in the best interests of our schools and the children and families they serve."

School standards minister David Miliband announced the additional investment in independent-state school partnerships during a visit today to the Corporation of London, where he met pupils involved in a thrivi