A High Wycombe school was invited to the House of Commons to celebrate its longstanding Co-operative learning partnership.

Cressex Community School celebrated over 10 years of the scheme with an afternoon tea hosted by Wycombe MP Steve Baker at the House of Commons.

The event celebrated the strong partnerships that the school has established with its trust partners, Wycombe Abbey School, Buckinghamshire New University, Henley College, Buckinghamshire Council and its local community, including Johnson & Johnson and the John Lewis Partnership.

Mr Baker said: "I'm incredibly proud that Cressex School serves our community as a great example of the benefits of Co-operative education.

"Co-operative education is often overlooked, but for those of us who want to build up the bonds of civil society for the benefit of entire communities, co-operatives offer a model which has been neglected for too long.

"Co-operative education illustrates the ability of schools to work within the local community to boost opportunities for students and to contribute to community life.

Cressex Community School was the first Co-operative school in Buckinghamshire with the trust's aims to support the school in raising educational attainment and widening opportunities for students.

"I hope that this is only the beginning for cooperative education.”

Headteacher, David Hood said: “These deep, sustained links have enabled us to enrich the lives of our students through mutual support and offering a range of activities far beyond what Cressex alone could provide.

"The trust creates bridges between Partners.

"The benefits of our partnerships have been shared across the trust, for the good of all students, wherever they are and we look forward to sustaining our co-operative values in the years to come.”