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SOUTHWARK DIOCESE STRIKES UP PARTNERSHIP WITH NEIGHBOURING COUNCIL

Wednesday 15 October 2003

Southwark Diocesan Education Services Ltd, the training and publications division of Southwark Diocesan Board of Education, is now providing its expertise to schools in Surrey.

The company has signed a partnership agreement with Four S, a company set up by Surrey County Council, to provide school support services to its schools.

The partnership, which will bring many benefits to both organisations, means that Four S can call on the expertise of consultants at the Diocese for training and consultancy advice on providing the Church of England religious education curriculum and other specialist issues in its Surrey schools.

As part of the agreement, Church of England schools in the area can look to Four S when they need advice and support on a range of services, from education finance to the curriculum and governor support.

These are services that schools have to buy-in and budget for, although the 107 Church of England schools that come under Southwark Diocesan Board of Education -across twelve LEAs- are under no obligation to buy the services from Four S.

Mrs Linda Borthwick, Diocesan Director of Education, said: "I am delighted that we have been able to form this new partnership, which helps us to build on our distinctive and mutual strengths in supporting our schools, headteachers and governors."

Steve Clarke, deputy director of education at Surrey County Council, said: "We already have an excellent relationship with the Southwark Diocese and look forward to further strengthening this partnership as it will enable us to provide an enhanced range of quality services to our schools."

Ends.

NOTE FOR EDITORS
Southwark Diocesan Education Services Ltd already provides support to some Church of England schools in east Surrey.

Four S provides schools with finance and personnel services, curriculum and leadership consultancy, technology support, governor services and contract management for catering, grounds maintenance and cleaning. It can also provide facilities management and support for the recruitment and retention of teachers, which means that head-teachers can spend more time on leadership and less on administration.

Media enquiries to: Eithne Beggan, Media Relations Officer at Surrey County Council, tel: 020 8541 8996, Patrick Olivier, Diocesan Communications Officer, tel. 020 7939 9437

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE PARTNERS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

For further information contact: 

Diocesan Communications Officer
Tel: 020-7939 9400
Mobile: 07831-694021
Fax: 020-7939 9468