ON the surface, King’s School, Worcester, and Bishop Perowne CE College might seem worlds apart.

One is an independent school, located in the beautiful surroundings of Worcester Cathedral, where pupils benefit from some of the best facilities and teaching money can buy.

The other is a state school, albeit one of the best state schools in the county, which relies heavily on Government funding, and we all know there is never enough of that.

But scratch the surface and you will see that the two schools are not really all that different at all.

They are both closely associated with the Church of England and with Worcester Cathedral and share, through this, a common Christian ethos which is an important part of their identity.

They also share a strong interest in creative and performing arts.

Bishop Perowne is a specialist college for the performing arts and has a close relationship with the Royal College of Music. King’s, with its John Moore theatre, new art school and strong tradition in encouraging and producing outstanding musicians, is also proud of its provision in this area.

It is through these similarities that the two schools have come together to begin a partnership that is unique in Worcestershire.

“I am very excited about the opportunity for our two schools to work closely together,” said Tim Keyes, headteacher at King’s.

“We each have some excellent resources, both people and facilities, which we can share.

“Some governors from each school have met and are very positive about our plans.

“We have much in common. It seems to me to be a good time to show that independent and maintained schools in Worcester can and should be working together to the advantage of all their pupils.”

Julie Farr, headteacher at Bishop Perowne, added: “I echo Tim’s thoughts. I believe that our collaboration will help to bring about the best for both communities, our students and staff alike.

“I look forward to fully developing the firm foundation on which our collaboration is based over the next few years.”

The partnership will begin this autumn with a number of activities and projects on which pupils from both schools will work together.

“We are currently planning for some important joint enterprises in sport, dance and charitable or community work within the next year,” said Mr Keyes.

“In the short term, our main focus will be debating and public speaking, a Royal College of Music partnership, drama sessions, bellringing and charity events.”

Pupils in years seven and eight from each school will be getting together regularly to test their debating skills.

“We also hope to offer chances for older pupils to cooperate in mock trials,” Mr Keyes said.

Bishop Perowne CE College has a unique and prestigious partnership with the Royal College of Music, which pupils from King’s will now get the chance to tap in to.

“The musicians who visit as part of the student associate scheme will observe and participate in classroom music teaching and will offer master classes and recitals in both schools,” said Ms Farr.

In drama, the schools hope to hold at least two workshop sessions for aspiring actors in the next two terms, through a project involving a resident drama animateur at Bishop Perowne and the actor in residence at King’s.

Both schools are already actively involve in bellringing, and the partnership aims to further pupils’ experiences in this area.

Worcester Cathedral now has a special training centre in the cathedral where young people can learn to ring,” said Mr Keyes.

“Pupils from our two schools have already been learning over the last three years.

“We aim to offer a chance to try out this unusual and highly rewarding hobby to many more of our pupils with the support of the cathedral bellringers.”

A number of joint charity events will also take place over the coming year, with King’s and Bishop Perowne pupils working side by side.

The partnership is aimed at giving pupils of both schools wider opportunities, beyond that with which their own school is able to offer.

“Both schools take our pupils out on many trips, the point of which is to expose them to other environments and people,” Mr Keyes said.

“This partnership is an extension of that. By bringing our pupils together it will help them to grow and develop into rounded citizens.”

“This is about empowering young people and giving them as many opportunities as we can,” added Ms Farr.

As part of the partnership both headteachers will observe and lead acts of collective worship in each others schools.

Plus, each year there will be a bursary available to at least one Bishop Perowne pupil, wishing to join the sixth form at King’s.