Aln Community Schools Federation

“It is clear that schools do best when they work in partnership and collaboration with others.   They achieve most when they work with and learn from other schools; and when they work closely with their local community”   (2020 Vision: Report of the Teaching and Learning in 2020 Review Group – DFES-04255-2006)

In line with this belief the Governing Bodies of Alnwick South First School, Lindisfarne Middle School, The Duke’s Middle School and The Duchess’s Community High School formed a Hard Governance Federation on 1st April 2009.

The federation aims to enhance the education we provide through close collaborative working, the sharing of resources and expertise and by providing mutual support and challenge.
We are committed to the delivery of the five Every Child Matters outcomes for all pupils.

  • Be Healthy
  • Stay Safe
  • Enjoy and Achieve
  • Make a positive contribution
  • Achieve economic well-being.

The federation aims to further improve personal, social and academic development so preparing pupils for life in a rapidly changing world.  The federation aims to have a significantly positive impact on the already good attainment across the schools and support all young people in achieving their full potential. 
We recognise the importance of schools as part of the wider community.  The Federation aims to continue to support and enrich our communities and wherever possible work to support developments in other schools in the wider Alnwick Partnership of Schools.

The initial focus of a Hard Federation would be to enhance school improvement through:

(a)             Developing a shared curriculum model by extending learning opportunities, developing existing best practice in the classroom, and expanding even further our already excellent response to Every Child Matters agenda.  

(b)             Building leadership capacity so that there is:

  • Innovative leadership models to support all schools
  • Flexibility in staffing to meet specialist needs
  • A coherent approach to staff development
  • Enhanced opportunities to recruit and retain staff
  • Enhanced support staff structures that improves efficiency within the four schools