Thousands of disadvantaged kids to benefit from top Eton College teachers in £3m plan

Disadvantaged kids to receive support

Thousands of disadvantaged children in England are set to receive support from top teachers at Eton College as part of a £3m plan to raise school standards. The initiative, announced by ministers, will see the establishment of 15 new schools, benefiting approximately 12,000 youngsters.

Partnership with Star Academies

Eton College will collaborate with the Star Academies trust to establish three new state sixth forms in Dudley, Middlesbrough, and Oldham. The sixth form colleges, partly funded by Eton and Star Academies, will provide access to extracurricular activities and support from the private school's staff.

A boost for hard-up kids

Eton College will contribute £1m per college, in addition to the current funding levels, to support disadvantaged students. These selective sixth forms will admit 240 students annually, with a total of 480 pupils when fully enrolled. Unlike Eton, the sixth forms will be mixed gender and will not require students to wear traditional tailcoats.

Encouraging aspirations

The aim of the new sixth forms is to encourage students to aspire to attend top universities, with a particular focus on Oxford and Cambridge. Eton Head Master Simon Henderson expressed his delight at the decision, stating that the new colleges could be transformative for the young people and the communities they serve.

Bringing new opportunities

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan emphasized the government's commitment to providing more good school places for families. These 15 new free schools, including the ones formed in partnership with Eton College, will offer exciting new opportunities to young people across the country. Free schools are known for their high standards, increased choice for parents, and strong connections to industry.

Overall, this collaboration between Eton College and Star Academies is expected to have a positive impact on the educational outcomes and prospects of thousands of disadvantaged children, aiming to bridge the gap and raise school standards across England.