Eton, Slough, Windsor and Hounslow Independent and State School Partnership

Closer to home, we are proud to be a member of the Eton, Slough, Windsor and Hounslow Independent and State School Partnership (ISSP) with six local state schools (two comprehensives and two academies in Slough, a comprehensive in Windsor and another in Hounslow). The ISSP aims to raise pupil achievement; improve pupil self-esteem; raise pupil aspirations; and, improve professional practice across the schools. Since it was founded in 2008, this partnership has provided numerous opportunities for academic collaboration through Saturday Schools and other academic workshops and mentoring; collaboration in the arts and sports; and opportunities for teachers’ professional development. The collaboration has contributed towards improved results in the state schools at GCSE level, in particular.

In our 2010/11 annual report, a detailed account was provided of projects initiated and sustained by Eton for the ISSP. Particular highlights from the 2011/12 Academic Year are as follows:

• A new initiative was introduced over four weekly sessions in the Summer Half of Eton boys mentoring pupils from two of the partner schools in debating skills which resulted in those schools feeling confident to enter into debating competitions.
• The student mentoring scheme was expanded.  Over 50 Eton boys mentored pupils from Slough and Eton Church of England Business and Enterprise College in Maths and English GCSE and Maths AS and A2 level. 
• Eton co-ordinated and hosted Maths revision (over two days) for GCSE students from the ISSP.
• The Saturday school programme ran on ten Saturday mornings; over 30 year 10 students from across the ISSP came to Eton to learn how to develop their creative thinking and attitudes towards learning. 
• Masters from Eton attended three key note lectures and seminars with senior leaders from the partner schools to exchange ideas about pedagogy and management in education. 
• The Wisdom Project continued to be a focus to develop the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education of pupils from Eton and the partner schools through a number of seminars and workshops.