Abingdon News No. 52

www.abingdon.org.uk 13 Abingdon School in Partnership, ASiP The School’s ethos from its foundation over 750 years ago to the present day has been to provide a broad access to education. Whether this is by helping families with fees through bursaries or by sharing access to our facilities, staff and skills. The School has much to benefit from being an integral part of the local community and to help in creating an area for education excellence to the mutual benefit of all. To do this we need to work together with local institutions and schools – both independent and in the state sector. Working collaboratively with some of the excellent schools we have across the town allows us to both learn from our partners, especially in areas such as pedagogy and professional development while also sharing features of Abingdon that we are most proud of. By sharing knowledge of for example, training, teaching practice, the curriculum and systems everyone can improve standards as individuals and as whole schools. Abingdon does set the standard in many areas but we should never be complacent. At a time when educational practice is debated like a political hot potato, it is crucial to build bridges with our local community and form sustainable, mutually beneficial relationships. Both independent and state schools have a lot to offer and a lot to learn. How can boys get involved? Boys are involved with all of our partnership activities which span science, sport, the performing arts as well as pastoral areas such as peer support mentoring. Abingdon students have volunteered at science clubs, acted as academic mentors to younger children alongside other sixth formers from Abingdon schools, taught language lessons to primary school children and helped at numerous partnership events from the Business Challenge to the mini Olympics. I have loved every minute of the science mentoring and it has made me consider teaching as a possible career path. Volunteering and service activities are core features of Abingdon’s Other Half and the benefits are very evident in terms of building self-confidence, developing leadership qualities and organisational skills. The National Institute for Professional Practice states among the key skills needed for the 21st Century workforce will be collaboration, teamwork and good interpersonal skills. Our partnership programme delivers all three as well as enjoyment and a huge sense of achievement. I found the actual teaching and interacting with younger students the most enjoyable thing in the process and I learnt many valuable skills, most notably the partnership scheme has helped me develop clear communication and organisation skills. “ ” Why are partnerships important to Abingdon? The boys feedback has been extremely positive. “ ” Rob Southwell-Sander, Director of Partnerships at Abingdon School