Yesterday my 10 year old son came home from school in an amazing mood.  He received a letter from one of his teachers, that he was asked to give to me, detailing an invitation he's received to attend 2 trial sessions at the 'Gifted and Talented Academy'.  For a bit of background, my son has been excelling at playing rugby recently and has been involved in local tournaments with other schools from the region, and up til now I have had no reason to be concerned about his involvement in school sport.  However, this letter he received was an impersonal (addressed to Dear Parent/Guardian) from the 'Norwich School Sport Partnertship' -see below.  Whenever I see the word partnership on any letter from school my ears prick up and I'm immediately suspicious of the involvement of private corporate interest so I took some time this morning to investigate this organisation.  To my disgust, this partnership which on the surface appears inoccuous, has a member called 'Active Norfolk' which proudly boasts on their website an event called 'Common Purpose Frontrunner Course' for the disabled in partnership with Santander (see http://activenorfolk.org/events.asp?section=23&monthinview=2011/7/01).   I quote:

Common Purpose Frontrunner course – in association with Santander

Plenty of students with physical and learning disabilities realise their full potential, enjoy their education experience and pursue careers and leadership roles in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. For some however, the barriers are too great.

Over the next three years the leadership development organisation Common Purpose (in association with Santander) are aiming to challenge those statistics by providing:

• the opportunity for 240 disabled students to develop their leadership skills and knowledge
• enabling them to break through barriers
• pursue leadership roles beyond their higher education

Frontrunner is a FREE three-day residential course which is a fantastic way for participants to experience at first-hand how leadership operates in various working environments and explore the qualities required to take up a leadership role. In January 2011, 40 participants took part in our first course from Universities all over the UK. Applications are now being accepted for our second course which takes place from 6-8 July in London.

We would be delighted if you would share this completely free and unique opportunity with the students at your University.

When: 6-8 July

• Where: Central London
• Application deadline: 1 June
• Cost to attend: FREE! Places on the course are fully sponsored by Santander and Common Purpose
• Who should apply: Disabled students currently in higher or further education in the UK. Ideally, participants will have demonstrated leadership achievements, big or small.

Has anyone else experienced these partnerships or been concerned about the indirect or direct involvement of Common Purpose in school sports?  I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Ever vigilant!

Warm Regards to All.

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