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East Kent presents a diversity of economic, social and educational backgrounds for students. When students and staff collaborate across school and university partner organisations, by sharing resources and exchanging experiences, there can be huge mutual benefits, especially for disadvantaged students.
East Kent Schools Together (EKST) is an innovative independent-state school and university partnership, in which each member contributes and draws from the partnership on an equal footing for the benefit of all. The inclusion of universities as partners opens exciting and innovative educational opportunities for all involved (Canterbury Christ Church University was the original university partner on board) with the University of Kent joining in February 2025.
EKST now has 11 secondary state and independent school partners together with the above universities.
Our Partners
Our 13 partner organisations are made up of the following 11 state and independent secondary schools and 2 university partners:
Canterbury Christ Church University, The University of Kent, Folkestone Academy, Herne Bay High School, Kent College, The King’s School Canterbury, Spires Academy, St. Anselm’s Catholic School, St.Edmund’s School Canterbury, St. Lawrence College, The Abbey School, The Archbishop’s School and Dover Christ Church Academy.
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Herne Bay High School 
Support us
If you would like to support the East Kent Schools Together partnership by making or pledging a donation, or if you’d like to know more, please contact: Claire Bridger, EKST Project Lead EKSTpartnership@gmail.com | 07864 605412
Donations, whether one-off or regular, can assist with the central costs of running the partnership, or may be targeted at a specific project if desired. We welcome school visits from potential donors.
SUPPORTERS
Kent Community Foundation (KCF) kindly have supported from their discretionary fund, from the Lawson Trust, ,the Crown Charitable Fund and the Pack Family Endowment. We are very grateful to them for this essential funding that supports widening participation and the futures of young people.
The Loveday Grassroots Endowed Fund supported us through KCF with a focus on our PSHE delivery and training.
Previously we received support from Canterbury City Council’s Active Sports grant for our Big Splash event in March 2019. In 2021 we received funds from the RISE wellbeing grants for our Big Sing Club to take place virtually when choirs were not able to sing together due to the pandemic, improving wellbeing and a sense of connection at a time of isolation.
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The Crown Charitable Fund went on to support our Big Sing, partnership choir for 2019 – 2020 and made it possible for more students to benefit from singing with others from different backgrounds – breaking down boundaries and building confidence.
ASSOCIATE PARTNERS
KM Charity Team have joined EKST as Associate Partners, in recognition of our shared aims of raising aspirations amongst young people in Kent.
The Bay Trust is an environmental education charity dedicated to improving lives through outdoor learning and connections with the natural world.
Turner Contemporary in Margate, our local national museum, is a creative centre for East Kent with an exciting exhibition programme that aims to expand its visitor’s creative potential and way of thinking.
We welcome expressions of interest from organisations who share our vision and would like to discuss becoming Associate Partners.