Trowbridge schools bid to join together to buy services (From Wiltshire Times)

Trowbridge schools bid to join together to buy services

2:50pm Tuesday 14th February 2012 in News

John of Gaunt headteacher Andy Packer is involved in a move to create a company which will allow Trowbridge schools to buy in services and reduce costs

Trowbridge schools are making plans to set up a company to deliver services which support pupils' education as part of an innovative scheme.

Twenty schools in the area are planning to sign up to a venture which will enable them to jointly buy services such as counselling and training.

Plans will be put before Wiltshire Council’s cabinet tomorrow (Wednesday).

The company, due to be called Collaborative Schools Ltd, will mean primary and secondary schools including academies will increase purchasing power leading to a reduction in the cost of services.

Cabinet will also be asked to agree for the council to become the supervising authority.

The money for the company will come from funding schools already have to deliver extended services and as a social enterprise any surplus the company makes from trading services will go towards making it sustainable in the long term interests of Trowbridge children.

Lionel Grundy cabinet member for children’s services said: "We are delighted these schools are working together to find an innovative way of improving access to children's services.

"When schools work together like this it can only benefit the pupils and with our backing we hope this scheme will become a success."

Andy Packer, headteacher at John of Gaunt School said: "This will place Trowbridge schools at the vanguard of co-operative working for the benefit of children, families and schools across an area."