Bedales and Bohunt celebrate partnership activities
The Heads of Bohunt Education Trust (BET) and Bedales Schools attended an event at the Houses of Parliament with Damian Hinds MP this week to celebrate joint activities between state and independent schools across the UK.
With speeches from key educational parliamentarians including Education Minister Baroness Barran, and Andrew Lewer MP, Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Independent Education, the event celebrated the numerous initiatives taking place around the country working across sectors to engage and provide opportunities for young people. Guests were presented with copies of a report published by the Independent Schools Council entitled ‘Celebrating Partnerships’, which showcases many of the meaningful partnerships that exist today between schools.
Through the Bohunt/Bedales partnership, Damian Hinds will be taking part in a ‘Question Time’ style event next term with students from his East Hampshire constituency, together with Neil Strowger, CEO of BET and Will Goldsmith, Head of Bedales who both joined him in Westminster.
Speaking at the event in Parliament, Damian Hinds said:
“It is a delight to see two such innovative and high-achieving schools in East Hampshire working together for the benefit of students. I am looking forward to taking part in our next panel discussion event and responding to the questions posed by the students, which are always insightful and challenging. Collaborations like this are important and demonstrate how state and independent schools can work together to offer new opportunities for their cohorts.”
Neil Strowger, Trust Leader and CEO at Bohunt Education Trust commented:
“We have enjoyed developing such a successful collaboration and programme of activities between our school communities, sharing valuable resources, knowledge and expertise for the benefit of our students and staff.”
Will Goldsmith, Head of Bedales Schools commented:
“We really enjoy working with Bohunt to create the many excellent learning opportunities for students and teachers from across our schools. We learn lots from each other, and through partnerships like these, we are able to serve the wider sector by being a beacon for progressive approaches to education in this country.”
Bedales’ support for Ukrainian pupils and refugees more broadly was highlighted in the latest ‘Celebrating Partnerships’ booklet. In addition to offering places to young people from Ukraine, students and staff have successfully fundraised more than £50,000 for the Rural Refugee Network.
The cross-sector partnership between Bohunt and Bedales has, to date, included: student voice meetings; staff professional development sessions in areas such as wellbeing and sustainability; Oxbridge interview preparation; joint expressive arts performances; shared facilities; ‘Question Time’ panel events and teacher training.