Barnardo’s to be partner in trust schools scheme

Children’s charity Barnardo’s is to link with four schools as part of the government’s trust schools initiative.

The scheme allows schools to set their own admissions criteria and control their own assets in partnership with charitable bodies.

Barnardo’s is to partner four secondary schools in Worcestershire.

Trust status has been controversial, with some children’s services leaders alleging it would not serve the Every Child Matters agenda.

The Department for Education and Skills said Barnardo’s would help to develop vocational education schemes at the schools, known collectively as the Contin U consortium.