Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what flexibility is available to maintained and church schools in West Dorset to develop alternative educational models that meet local needs while remaining financially sustainable.

The government wants all schools to benefit from strong and effective partnerships, enabling them to collaborate with other schools and local partners to improve outcomes for children and young people.

Schools have a range of opportunities to work with other schools and organisations in ways that reflect circumstances and community needs. The department is supporting local authorities, dioceses and trusts through area planning to develop sustainable and geographically-coherent arrangements that reflect local circumstances.

This approach helps schools access shared expertise, leadership and support, while continuing to serve their local communities. High-quality partnerships can also help schools build capacity, improve financial resilience and respond effectively to local challenges.