On the 10 June the Faculty of Education at Anglia Ruskin University hosted their Annual Conference with their Partnership schools, both Secondary and Primary. The day got off to a sparkling start with a talk given by Margaret Rosamond, the Director of Partnership (schools and settings) at the University of Bedfordshire.

The University of Bedfordshire started to restructure their partnership model eighteen months ago and, as Anglia Ruskin are now looking to rethink their model of partnership in co-operation with their partnership schools, it was very valuable to hear from somebody who is already part way down the path and who had some very heartening news.

The rest of the morning was spent in groups working on the partnership model and then in the afternoon Mark Chater, a curriculum adviser from the QCA, gave a very interesting presentation on trainee teachers, partnerships and the future curriculum. Delegates then split into two groups, both attending workshops on creativity.

The Primary delegates were treated to a wonderful display of work from students in Design and Technology, Music, PE and Modern Languages. All were particularly entranced by the staff and pupils from Melbourne Park Primary School who told everybody about their Star Wars project and showed examples of their work.

Secondary delegates were treated to a workshop on the poetry of Ted Hughes and then a presentation by Matthew Wheatley of Kesgrave High School on applied teaching for the 14-19 key stage.

It was a most enjoyable day, from which everybody took a lot away, with the added bonus of being able to meet up and network with colleagues from other schools. We look forward to welcoming our partnership schools again next year.