Partnership History
In 1982 the Government announced the launch of the Technical and Vocational Education Initiative by which large resources would be offered to a small number of schools in 14 pilot Local Education Authorities. The purpose was to enhance technical education in schools and increase links with industry. Birmingham was one of the 14 LEAs to become involved and in September 1983 TVEI was launched in the City. In 1986 the Government announced plans to extend the pilot scheme to all students aged 14-18 throughout the country. In response to the need to extend the scheme across the City, which now became known as TVE, Birmingham formed eight Partnerships which are groups of schools and colleges working together. Seven of the Partnerships cover local areas but the Catholic Partnership extends across the whole City.
What is the Catholic Partnership?
The Catholic Partnership is made up of the ten Catholic secondary schools in Birmingham. The schools are Archbishop Ilsley, Bishop Challoner, Bishop Walsh, Cardinal Wiseman, Holy Trinity, St Edmund Campion, St John Wall, St Paul’s and St Thomas Aquinas.
What does the Partnership do?
Since 1988 staff in the Partnership’s schools have been working together on curriculum and professional development to enhance the education we are able to offer all our students. The Partnership is governed by the Partnership Board which comprised the 9 Headteachers of the member institutions and is served by a full time central team of 2 staff. In each school there is a named Coordinator. The Partnership is centrally involved with a number of employers and training organisations.
Since 1988 staff in the Partnership’s schools have been working together on curriculum and professional development to enhance the education we are able to offer all our students. The Partnership is governed by the Partnership Board which comprised the 9 Headteachers of the member institutions and is served by a full time central team of 2 staff. In each school there is a named Coordinator. The Partnership is centrally involved with a number of employers and training organisations.
How do Students Benefit?
There are two major ways in which students benefit from being in the Catholic Partnership. The first is that all of their teachers are involved in the Inservice training programme provided by the Partnership each year. The aim of this programme is very simple – to enhance the quality of education we are able to offer each and every student. The second benefit is that increasingly students themselves are involved in partnership activities and therefore young people from every Catholic school in the City are able to meet each other. There are regular opportunities for shared worship and a wide range of educational and social activities which include music and Drama Presentations, Sports Days, Technology Events, Gospel Choir, Sixth Form Debate and an annual Young Leaders’ Course.
There are two major ways in which students benefit from being in the Catholic Partnership. The first is that all of their teachers are involved in the Inservice training programme provided by the Partnership each year. The aim of this programme is very simple – to enhance the quality of education we are able to offer each and every student. The second benefit is that increasingly students themselves are involved in partnership activities and therefore young people from every Catholic school in the City are able to meet each other. There are regular opportunities for shared worship and a wide range of educational and social activities which include music and Drama Presentations, Sports Days, Technology Events, Gospel Choir, Sixth Form Debate and an annual Young Leaders’ Course.
There is strong evidence to support Birmingham’s Catholic Partnership’s success when reviewing pupil examination results. There has been a consistent improvement in the number of pupils in Catholic schools gaining such success compared to the authority average, which has in itself improved considerably in recent years. We perceive that the improvement trend of Partnership schools is a direct result of collaboration, mutual support and the provision of shared quality INSET training of teachers.
Why a Catholic Partnership?
In addition to the resources and benefits which TVE brought to the schools and college there is a major advantage in the existence of the Partnership. It enables staff to meet each other, work together on a regular basis and to share good practice. As a result the voice of Catholic education is being heard within Birmingham in a way which was not possible before and we have a direct influence on the educational decisions that are made in the City. The values and attitudes that come from our faith can be expressed clearly and, when necessary, can stand out against those who favour an approach to education based on purely utilitarian standards.
In addition to the resources and benefits which TVE brought to the schools and college there is a major advantage in the existence of the Partnership. It enables staff to meet each other, work together on a regular basis and to share good practice. As a result the voice of Catholic education is being heard within Birmingham in a way which was not possible before and we have a direct influence on the educational decisions that are made in the City. The values and attitudes that come from our faith can be expressed clearly and, when necessary, can stand out against those who favour an approach to education based on purely utilitarian standards.
Would you like to know more?
The Catholic Partnership is the first of its kind in the country and as such arouses a good deal of interest nationally. If you would like to know more about the Partnership and its work you can contact the Partnership office on 01675 464 747
The Catholic Partnership is the first of its kind in the country and as such arouses a good deal of interest nationally. If you would like to know more about the Partnership and its work you can contact the Partnership office on 01675 464 747