In September 2019 Birchwood and Holbrook Primary Schools became a Hard Federation. This followed 18 months of us working collaboratively to evaluate the benefits of partnership working.

Birchwood and Holbrook Primary Schools are similar sized schools, have similar catchment areas (in terms of pupil socioeconomic demographics) and face similar challenges. Together, we support each other with these similar school improvement issues. We have one Governing Body that works across both schools. Subject leaders, senior leaders and the whole staff teams work together on striving to provide the very best education we are able. Pupils have opportunities across the partnership eg, writing masterclasses/Wimbledon tennis masterclass/Suffolk dish project.

We know the Partnership has strengthened and enriched our school in many ways. For example – Holbrook April 2022 Ofsted outcome/Partnership Suffolk Day celebrations at the Suffolk Food Hall/whole school curriculum development.