A consultation on a proposal to establish an ambitious education partnership between Catford High School and top independent school, Colfe’s, started on 24 June 2009 and will run for four weeks.
The joint proposal from Lewisham Council and the governors of Catford High School would see the rapidly improving secondary school join forces with Colfe’s, regarded as the best independent school in the area.
Each school has a commitment to delivering first class education and the proposed partnership would bring a range of tangible benefits to both schools.
In the proposal, each school would maintain its current status - Colfe’s would remain an independent school and Catford High a state school.
Stakeholders and interested people are invited to submit their comments on the proposal by 22 July 2009.
The consultation document can be obtained directly from Catford High School or online at the school’s website.
The document is also available on the Lewisham Council website.
After the consultation responses have been analysed, the governing bodies of Catford High School and Colfe’s School will decide in September 2009 whether an application should be made to the Secretary of State for an order giving power to innovate.
The power to innovate order allows educational establishments and local authorities to apply for the lifting of regulatory requirements for a time-limited period, to enable the trial of a specific, innovative proposal.
If the two governing bodies and the Secretary of State agree to go ahead, the proposal can be implemented by January 2010.