main content Innovation in Bromley schools will boost standards

Four Bromley schools are coming together to form a groundbreaking federation to improve results and standards.

All of the schools involved - All Saints Catholic College, Cator Park School for Girls, Kemnal Technology College and The Priory School - will retain their identities but will work as a group with common goals and shared resources.

From September, teachers in all four schools will be using the latest cutting edge technology in classes and, in each school, parents will have access to a single online database containing a wide range of information about their child's progress and performance.

Fully backed by the Council's Education and Libraries Directorate and the Department for Education and Skills, the federation will be the first of its kind in the country. The four schools are committed to raising all academic standards with a particular emphasis on improving GCSE results.

Executive Councillor for Children and Young People Councillor Graham Arthur said: "All of our schools have something wonderful to offer. By working together, these four schools will be able to share what they do well and improve standards across the board.

"I applaud these four forward-looking head teachers and their governing bodies for taking a step which I believe will be replicated up and down the country in years to come."

"It could not have happened without the vigorous support of Council officers and it is an example of partnership at its best."

The initiative for the scheme came from John Atkins, head teacher of Kemnal Technology College, which has seen steady improvements in grades in recent years.

Speaking on behalf of the four schools, Mr Atkins said: "We are confident this exciting initiative will prove to be a success. This is a marvellous opportunity to work together to improve the life chances of all our pupils."

An executive board - comprising the chairs of governors of each school, the head teachers, and local education authority and industry representatives - will be established to lead the federation.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The federation is committed to the following improvements:

• In the academic year 2000/01, 37 per cent of Kemnal Technology College pupils achieved five or more A*-C GCSEs or equivalent. Last year's (2003/04) 5+ A*-C pass rate was 58 per cent.
• Cator Park improved the number of pupils achieving 5+ A*-Cs by 11 per cent last year.
• In September, Cator Park will become the only school in the country with a combined specialist status in technology and performing arts.
• Kemnal has been a specialist technology college since April 1994.
• By the end of the third year of the federation it is expected all four schools will have specialist status and all are being sponsored by Lord Harris of Peckham.

For media enquiries, please contact Richard Simcox, Communications Officer, on 020 8313 4310, or email richard.simcox@bromley.gov.uk.