Over many years the primary and secondary schools in the Sherburn and Tadcaster area have worked informally together sharing training, resources and facilities as opportunities arise. It has become clear that our schools benefit from a more formal system of partnership. Governors and headteachers carefully explored ways for our schools to work together in a way that goes beyond simple sharing of resources and commits us to a strategic plan of transforming school improvement in our locality. We want to ensure that every child and young person in education in the Sherburn, Tadcaster and surrounding rural areas achieves to the best of their abilities and leaves school fully prepared to play an effective role in society. In 2016, a teaching school alliance was formed: Sherburn, Tadcaster and Rural Learning Alliance: the STAR Teaching School Alliance. Since all Teaching Schools were de-designated in 2021, the alliance became known as The STAR Schools Alliance.
Our schools work together on specific projects, improving communication and coordination, and introducing support, monitoring and challenge between schools. We are very lucky that our Alliance has such a broad mix of schools, each bringing their own strengths and character to the group. Together we have the scale and the diversity to achieve real benefits for our children. We work on key training and school support initiatives including Initial Teacher Training (a one-year School Direct PGCE delivered in partnership with Hull University), Continuing Professional Development for school staff, and sector-led school improvement.