A MAJOR step forward in learning and education in the Tavistock area took place on Monday as ten primary schools from the learning community became part of the Tavistock College Co-operative Trust.

The college became a trust last September. Following a comprehensive consultation process, Whitchurch, St Peter's, Tavistock, Horrabridge, Meavy, Lady Modiford's, Princetown, Lifton, Bere Alston and St Rumon's primary schools were formally welcomed to the co-operative by college principal Helen Salmon during a special ceremony.

Mrs Salmon said the primary schools joining the trust would bring a wealth of experience and expertise into the partnership.

She said: 'There is a great deal that we can achieve by working together.

'The schools are starting their collaborative work with a student conference in October which will bring children together from across all the schools.

'This conference will be student-led and it will enable the children to talk about how they can be good learners in a co-operative school — it means all students in the trust will have a voice in their learning.

'We are also hoping to develop a co-operative leadership programme for staff working in co-operative schools.

'We can share good practice amongst teachers more effectively and develop co-operative learning.

'And the projects that we do with the partners will impact directly on the children, in both primary school and at the college.'

Mrs Salmon said Tavistock College Co-operative Trust already had three 'very supportive' partners — The University of St Mark and St John (Marjon), Tavistock Chamber of Commerce and Tamar Grow Local — and links with these three partners would add value to the work of all the schools now involved in the co-operative.

'The local business community not only support us with work experience, they also help students with mock interviews and CV writing,' said Mrs Salmon.

She said the partnership was also delighted that Tamar Grow local was supporting the trust.

'Many of the schools are developing growing projects in their school grounds — learning about food is a key area of focus both at primary and secondary level.'

The trust is also exploring the possibility of developing a teacher training programme with Marjon, an example of the type of collaborative initiatives being considered and which was discussed at the first trust board meeting held after the official launch.

David Tall, chairman of governors at Horrabridge Primary and newly elected chair of the trust, said these were 'really exciting' times for the newly extended co-operative, which would 'do much to formalise and secure existing excellent co-operation and collaboration between schools'.

As part of the celebrations on Monday, guests were able to tour the courtyard garden at Tavistock College, where students have been growing fruit, vegetables and flowers.