The University of Warwick confirmed today that it is working with five Midlands schools as they take steps towards achieving Trust Status. This follows the University's commitment to supporting the Trust Schools Programme made in the new University Strategy announced last month which seeks to position Warwick as one of the world's top 50 universities by 2015.

University of Warwick Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nigel Thrift, said

"We are delighted to be working with these schools as they move towards the achievement of Trust Status. They see the benefits of a partnership with one of the UK's leading universities and we will learn from them as we plan and design programmes and opportunities for new generations of incoming students."

The Director of Campus Affairs, Ken Sloan, said:

"Warwick has built and will continue to develop longstanding relationships with schools and colleges across the UK and overseas. We believe that supporting these 5 local schools in their move towards Trust Status will make a positive contribution to the development of these schools through the sharing of knowledge and expertise, whilst enabling the University to have regular first hand knowledge of emerging trends and issues within the school system which will be invaluable for Warwick as it plans for the future".

The University will confirm its involvement in the Trust Schools Programme at a conference to be held in London on Wednesday 10 October 2007. The Director of Campus Affairs will join the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, the Rt Hon John Denham and the Minister for Schools, Lord Andrew Adonis in a presentation to representatives from the HE sector which is seeking to encourage more universities and colleges to play an active role in the Academies and Trust Schools Programme.

The University of Warwick is working with:

Kingsley School, Redditch and Woodrush High School, Hollywood Birmingham which have formed the Kingswood Trust

The Westwood School, Coventry

Barrs Hill School, Coventry

Kenilworth School, Kenilworth

For further information please contact:

Peter Dunn, Press and Media Relations Manager, Communications Office, University House University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 8UW
024 76 523708 email: p.j.dunn@warwick.ac.uk

PR89 PJD 9th October 2007