For many years Kirk Balk has had a deliberate policy of establishing partnerships with local business and industry.  These links have provided many benefits to our students and enabled the school to relate its work to the wider community.

The school has also been at the forefront of new initiatives, many associated with new technologies and all bringing direct benefits, not just to the school itself, but also to the community as a whole.

Examples of thes initiatives include:

		The 'e' learning pilot
		The National Grid for Learning Pilot
		The SRB funded Family Learning Centre
		The Votec Partnership for adult learning
		IT training for employees of local businesses
		IT education for pupils of local Junior Schools

In July, 2002 the school heard that it had been granted Specialist School Status as a Technology College.

Although the school has raised achievement at Key Stage 4 from 16% 5+ A* - C to 41% 5+ A* - C in the last eight years, Governors and staff see the Technology College initiative as a lauch pad for even higher aspirations and achievements and means of further development of our partnerships with local businesses.

It should be stated that, without the help and support of several businesses and individuals, the school could not have raised the £50,000 sponsorship required for a successful Technology College bid.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors for their generosity.

Our current sponsors are:

Arena Business Machines
Ben Bailey Homes
Chain and Rope Limited
Fretwell Downing
Global Communications
NESVA Associates
The Brook Group
Wombwell Foundry
Yorkshire Traction Company