Private schools ‘do not have a lot of money’, ex-Harrow head says

MOST PRIVATE schools do not have a lot of money and it is a mistake to think that they can “transform the world”, an independent schools leader and former Harrow head has said.

Fee-paying schools should be encouraged, and thanked, for their partnerships with the state sector, rather than being discouraged, and told they are not doing enough, according to Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the Independent Schools Council.

His comments came as the Government appeared to offer an olive branch to private schools over plans to require them to sponsor academies or formally support state schools and poorer children or risk losing their charitable status.

At an event to launch a new report on independent and state school partnerships, Mr Lenon, who previously served as headmaster of Harrow School, said collaborations between the two work best when there is a “moral responsibility” and schools are working together. Partnerships work less well when people think that an independent school can take on a failing state school in a disadvantaged area when, in fact, it’s got no relevant expertise,” he said.

“Partnerships work less well when the only motivation has got something to do with charitable status or acting under perceived pressure from a government.”

He added: “Speaking for the independent sector, there are a great number of schools already doing a lot and many would like to do even more. It’s important to encourage these schools.”