West London Partnership
St Paul’s Girls’ School is a founding member of the West London Partnership and recognises the value to our own students and staff of working in partnership to deliver social impact and promote best practice in education.
The West London Partnership (WLP) is an association of secondary schools from both the independent and state sectors in West and South-West London.
The WLP coordinator, although based at St Paul’s Girls’ School, circulates between schools to ensure a balanced level of support is given to all schools in the partnership when they lead on different projects.
The WLP aims to create a genuine partnership built on sustainable, collaborative projects where schools and other institutions work together, sharing resources and expertise, to address educational needs and to enrich learning for everyone.
We have formed a network of independent and maintained schools, sharing ideas, resources and connections between departments across South and South-West London.
All students within the partnership, including SPGS students, have access to a wide range of supra-curricular, social activities that provide challenge and a connection with their community.
Several partnerships initiatives are annual and ongoing.
WLP Student Council
The WLP Student Council is comprised of four student members from each school. Being a member of the committee offers numerous benefits: fostering leadership, teamwork, and organisational skills. It provides students with a platform to voice their opinions, advocate for their peers, and contribute to decision-making processes that enhance the partnership. Participation boosts confidence, provides valuable networking opportunities, and enriches students’ personal and professional development, preparing them for future leadership roles.
The WLP Student Committee is tasked with leading two events each year which in the past have included sporting events, a Christmas quiz and a ‘Battle of the Bands’. It is also their responsibility to promote the WLP and its events amongst the student body through word of mouth, social media and promotional material.
WLP Continuous Professional Development
An annual cross-sector continuous professional development (CPD) event takes place at the start of each summer term. In April 2024, over 420 members of staff attended the event across four hubs hosted by four schools. The operations hub was led by SPGS, STEM by Hammersmith Academy, co-curricular by St Paul’s Boys’ School, and humanities by Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School.
WLP Careers Fair
The careers fair is an exciting initiative delivered by the West London Partnership. Designed to become a flagship event of the collaboration, the fair will be held annually, bringing together students, employers from the local community, and parents eager to share insights about their careers. This engaging event not only provides students with valuable exposure to various career paths but also fosters strong connections between schools, businesses, and families. By offering a platform for networking and exploration, the careers fair aims to inspire and guide students as they consider their future career options.
I liked how there was a diverse range of different people, and how they were all very open to talking and answering a range of questions. It helped me see which careers I would like to pursue, and also realised which ones might not be suitable for me. It was a great, eye-opening experience. SPGS student
WLP Enterprise Initiatives
Start It – This is an education programme that teaches sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation skills. Supported by alumni and parent networks from all schools, wisdom and experience within a range of industries is shared with the students involved. This provides an exciting opportunity for students to develop practical skills, creativity, and business acumen. The programme is open to, and promoted amongst, all students within the West London Partnership.
Young Enterprise – Y12 students build their own businesses, raise real funds and compete in competitions regionally and nationally. This is the leading national programme for entrepreneurship, and we can offer financial support and staffing for any participating schools within the WLP.
London School of Economics (LSE) Generate – A three-day intensive course for Y12 students. Participating students take part in mentorship, group activities and one-to-one sessions with real entrepreneurs at LSE as part of their prestigious Generate programme.
ESTER incubator – all alumni of the WLP are eligible to apply for the ESTER incubator programme which allocates up to £10k funding for their start-up as well as 12 months of dedicated guidance and mentorship for successful applicants.
WLP Easter Revision School
This week-long intensive revision course led by teachers from a range of WLP schools, follows on from the SPGS Easter revision school from previous years. It is aimed at Y11 and Y13 students from state partner schools. At present, the focus is on STEM subjects, but the aim is that this extends to other subjects in the future. Students are taught exam and revision techniques by specialist teachers from across the WLP. In 2024 approximately 90 partner students benefitted from this.
