Students at two Stevenage schools have been joining hands to celebrate a partnership which headteachers say will benefit “generations to come”.

The Comet: Barclays students join hands in a line across the field to celebrate their coming together with Almond Hill as The Stevenage Inspire FederationBarclays students join hands in a line across the field to celebrate their coming together with Almond Hill as The Stevenage Inspire Federation (Image: Archant)

Almond Hill Junior School and Barclay School have formed the Stevenage Inspire Federation.

The partnership aims to better prepare younger pupils for the challenge of secondary school, with both schools sharing information to help ensure a smooth transition through education under one governing body.

The federation model will also build on the schools’ existing relationship which has already seen mentoring programmes and subject workshops set up.

Students from the schools in Almond Hill and Walkern Road held hands across their two playing fields on Friday in a celebration event attended by Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland.

Barclay headteacher Debbie Upton said: “We felt it would benefit all of our students to further develop the links between the two schools in this way.

“We have a good relationship already as we are so near each other, but this project seeks to solidify those bonds and improve our students’ experience. We will be sharing information on our curriculums and students’ progress, allowing them to hit the ground running as they progress.”

Almond Hill headteacher Jude Lovelock added: “Sometimes, quite naturally, the children can find it very daunting starting at a new school.

“But under this new federation project, we will have secondary school teachers visiting and letting the kids know what’s on the horizon.

“Hopefully this will serve to make the transition that bit easier and we believe it will be of benefit for generations to come.”

Barclay Year 13 student Hollie Curl is among those to have already benefited from the two schools’ close relationship.

She said: “Our close collaboration with Almond Hill has provided the students at Barclay with a range of unique opportunities to develop a wide variety of skills.

“As a member of the sixth form, my work with the younger students in dance and drama has given me very good experience to use on my CV and university application.”