The document outlines the York Independent Schools' Partnership (ISS) initiatives, which include master classes, teacher CPD events, and collaborative projects with institutions like York University and the Imperial War Museum. It highlights the involvement of various educational sectors, funding mechanisms, and the focus on enhancing student engagement and academic aspiration. Successful outcomes are attributed to government support, collaborative funding, and effective leadership within the partnership.

1. YORK ISSP
T H E W H A T ’ S A N D H O W ’ S

2. BEGINNINGS
Serendipity:
Just act on an idea
Money:
Government grant
Generosity:
Welcoming response

3. WHO?
3Independent schools
8State/Academy schools
§ All secondary provision in
the City of York
§ c1700 students per year
group 11 - 16
§ 4000 ‘student places’
§ 400 teacher involvements

4. WHAT?
Master classes – 3 x 3 hours ~ Successive Saturdays ~ Team taught by
2 teachers from different school sectors ~ Sometimes themed ~ A & I
‘Perfect Pitch’ (Dragon’s Apprentice)
Teacher CPD – annual free twilight event, focusing on A & I

5. WHAT MORE?
Link with
students in
Berlin via
Imperial War
Museum
Yekaterinburg
link through
York university
Summer
school for
Year 7
students –
4 days
‘Reach Higher’
aspiration
evening for
Year 9
students and
parents
GCSE Latin
(Russian,
History of Art,
Critical
Thinking,
Astronomy)
Website,
blog etc

6. HOW?
Steering Group of Heads/Deputies
from each school
Operational steering
group of teachers
A paid co-ordinator
(1 day per week nominal)
All schools pay £1800 pa
to fund the programme;
co-ordinator salary on
top of that; schools
paying for Latin above
that
Involvement of and support
by York university; some
sponsorship of Perfect Pitch
by local businesses and
involvement of individuals
Careful monitoring of
classes and analysis of
student feedback

7. WHAT NEXT?
Astronomy
Residential
summer school
(in October)
Work to engage
less confident
groups of students
Local school cluster
groups

8. WHY A SUCCESS?
§Money – pump priming initially from Government grants – £?
§Paid co-ordinator
§Payment for master class teachers
§Shared contribution – with some over contribution by some
§Good relationships, fun, willingness to grow organically

9. YORK ISSP
T H E W H A T ’ S A N D H O W ’ S