Will Bridges, from Ferndown Upper School, and Liz Thornton, deputy head, staff & partnerships at Bryanston

Schools announce partnership to improve opportunity and achievement

Paul JonesOctober 3, 20260 Comment0

TWO Dorset schools have announced a partnership in a bid to boost staff and pupils.

Bryanston School and Ferndown Upper School are teaming up for a “collaborative partnership”, which will see the development of a number of “academic, co-curricular and professional initiatives”.

Among them will be the establishment of the Ferndown/Bryanston Scholarship Programme, providing several scholarship places for pupils from Ferndown Upper who demonstrate exceptional potential and are considered likely to flourish and accelerate their development within a boarding school environment.

Scholarships will recognise both academic excellence and achievement or potential in areas aligned with Bryanston’s pillars: Creative & Performing Arts, Sport, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and the Digital World.

Liz Thornton, deputy head, staff & partnerships at Bryanston, said: “We are delighted to be establishing this partnership with Ferndown Upper which will offer many opportunities for young people while enabling staff across both schools to learn from one another.

“There is a great deal of expertise within our two communities, and by bringing that together we can create something that greatly benefits pupils and staff.”

Shared educational visits, events and external speakers will be part of the partnership, alongside greater collaboration around university and career pathways.

Bryanston will participate in the Dorset Maintained Schools Group, improving collaboration between school leaders and the sharing of best practice in areas including leadership, behaviour, teaching and school improvement.

Philip Jones, head of Ferndown Upper School, said: “Both Ferndown Upper School and Bryanston School share values of community, belonging and aspiration. This partnership provides an exciting opportunity for our pupils and staff to benefit from a genuinely collaborative relationship with Bryanston that aligns with our shared values and principles.

“Whether through scholarships, enrichment opportunities, teacher training or the sharing of expertise between departments, our aim is to create opportunities that add real value to both school communities. We are particularly pleased that the partnership will provide new pathways for pupils to develop their talents and ambitions.”