Staff and pupils at Archbishop Holgate's School and Burnholme Community College deserve the greatest credit for becoming affiliates of the Technology Colleges Trust.

It has taken much hard work and determination to win this coveted status. Both schools had to pass several rigorous inspections. That involved forging and developing partnerships with outside organisations, as well as demonstrating true involvement with their communities.

The effort has been well worth it. There are numerous benefits to becoming affiliates. The Technology Colleges Trust will now provide support to both schools as they develop their curricula in the vital areas of science, maths, languages, the arts and vocational education. The aim is to ensure that pupils receive the most up-to-date schooling possible.

Archbishop's and Burnholme already work closely with other York schools under a council-run scheme. Now they will have the opportunity to undertake joint initiatives with the growing number of technology, language and arts colleges. This will allow both teachers and students to draw on a greater pool of expertise than is available at a single school.

The affiliation is another boost to the growing stature of both Archbishop Holgate's School and Burnholme Community College. They have emerged out of the shadow cast by York's highest-flying schools to parade greatly improved standards and results.

At Burnholme, the news came only weeks after it had recorded GCSE grades that were ten per cent better than the year before. And headteacher of Archbishop's, John Harris was also thrilled. "There is a real buzz about the place," he said.

Schools, more than most organisations, need that self-confidence. Give a school a bad name and it can take years to recover.

Teachers and pupils at Archbishop's might have become downhearted at the campaign by one group of parents to keep their children away from the school. Dunnington and Elvington parents were so unhappy about council plans to link village primary schools with Archbishop Holgate, rather than Fulford School, that they have threatened to send their children to schools in other areas.

But Archbishop's has responded in the best possible way, by demonstrating the school has a great deal to offer any child. Both it and Burnholme won technology affiliation partly through their involvement with their local community. That will stand them in good stead when the admissions shake-up strengthens the bonds between schools and their neighbourhoods.

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