Monkton Combe School case studies (71)

Impact of partnership work done in 2024 (ISC annual Census 2025)

• 14 state schools involved
• 201-500 state school pupils involved
• 300 staff hours given

Impact Statement

Over the course of 2024, Monkton has been involved in a wide range of partnerships activity, resulting in numerous benefits both for our pupils and the schools that we have partnered with. 

At the start of the 2024 academic year, we began a new partnership with St Martin’s Garden Primary, born out of an existing relationship between the two schools, and which we hope will continue beyond this year. Our Year 12 pupils have been visiting St Martin’s weekly to read, take sporting activities, and play games  with their pupils, along with helping improve their learning spaces. We have already seen an incredible impact, with Monkton pupils discovering new skills, benefitting from interaction with younger pupils, and understanding the social responsibility they have. St Martin’s pupils have enjoyed building rapport with older pupils and having role models to help raise their aspirations. Feedback from one class teacher demonstrates this: "Even our most reluctant readers are keen to read with them and it has been lovely to see such positive role models in our class."

In the summer term, 55 pupils from 4 local primary schools attended our Wild Shakespeare Day, taking part in English and Drama workshops with Monkton staff and Year 12 pupils. The visiting pupils benefitted from exploring Shakespeare in a new way as well as interacting with older pupils, their teachers described it as providing ‘amazing experiences’.

Our pupils have helped develop the outdoor learning spaces at both Winsley Primary and St Martin’s Garden, for the benefit of their whole school communities. The impact of this is giving pupils and teachers more opportunity to take education outdoors, which has known benefits for learning and wellbeing.

Monkton have been involved in a number of shared partnerships with different schools across Bath, including Bath Schools Philosothon, Bath Student Parliament and Bath Schools’ Voices - each providing opportunities to challenge pupils, collaborate with new people and raise aspirations of all involved. We have also competed in a number of sporting fixtures, both competitive and friendly with local state and independent schools, giving all pupils the opportunity to test themselves and improve their skills. 

Local primary schools including Combe Down, Freshford and Rode have used Monkton’s facilities throughout the year, benefitting their pupils through providing sport and performance spaces they would not otherwise be able to access.  

Monkton teachers have also been involved in knowledge sharing and training with their peers in other schools across Bath. Our SENCo has met with the SENCo at Oldfield Secondary on multiple occasions to assist with access arrangements and information sharing. He also chaired the first partnerships meeting for local secondary SENCos, benefiting all through knowledge sharing, which in turn positively impacts each school community. We have also delivered our Anatomy of Coaching course for teaching staff and leaders of the Palladian Academy Trust, providing them with the skills to have positive communications with their pupils. 

Our pupils have also been involved in a range of community projects throughout the year, benefitting a variety of groups in our local community. As part of an ongoing partnership with the Genesis Trust, Monkton pupils helped them at the annual Bath Half Marathon, as well as undertaking fundraising activities such as a sponsored swim and abseil. The funds raised go directly to supporting vulnerable people across Bath. Both Prep and Senior pupils have supported Holy Trinity Combe Down and St Andrew’s Community Church with their events, serving elderly members of the community to the benefit of both groups through interaction. Our pupils have also held fundraising events for numerous charities, supporting a range of causes in the UK and abroad.

We are looking at ways to develop and expand our partnerships work for the coming year, to increase the impact both on our pupils and those we partner with.