Children from state school to join Etonians on the playing fields 'where Waterloo was won'

According to Wellington, the Battle of Waterloo was won there. But until now, the playing fields of Eton have been largely the preserve of children whose parents can afford the fees of Britain's most illustrious public school.

According to Wellington, the Battle of Waterloo was won there. But until now, the playing fields of Eton have been largely the preserve of children whose parents can afford the fees of Britain's most illustrious public school.

All that is about to change. Eton College is to join a government programme to establish 200 privately sponsored, state-financed academies in rundown urban areas. As part of the deal, pupils at a planned new academy - which will replace a failing state comprehensive school serving a deprived community in nearby Slough - will have access to the college's playing fields and top-class teaching. The Olympic rowing champion Matthew Pinsent, an old Etonian, is to join the board of governors of the academy to interest pupils in sport.

Eton's support is seen as a triumph for the Government and follows months of wooing of leading independent schools by Andrew Adonis, Tony Blair's education adviser.

Valerie Bragg, of 3E Gems, the project managers for the academy, said: "Eton has some world-class teachers. They also have contacts with old boys - many of whom are famous - and they could bring them to sessions with the pupils, which would be very motivational."

The contrast between the two schools could not be more marked. Langleywood, for pupils aged 11 to 16, is described by Ofsted, the education standards watchdog, as having "serious problems in recruiting and retaining staff, particularly in English, science, modern foreign languages and mathematics".

It adds: "A high proportion speak English as an additional language and the school has a significant number of refugees, who are in the early stages of learning English. There is a significant number of traveller children. Half of the students have special educational needs and an above average proportion of these students have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

"A significant minority of students permanently excluded from other schools - including a tenth in year 11 [16-year-olds in their last year of compulsory schooling]." It concludes: "As a result of an acute shortage of qualified teachers, the school is unable to provide adequate teaching."

All this, of course, is in stark contrast to Eton. Founded in 1440 by Henry VI, its fees stand at more than £20,000 a year.

Celebrated old boys include 19 prime ministers from Walpole to Macmillan, a host of writers including Shelley and Orwell and members of the Royal Family. The college's new Olympic standard eight-lane rowing course, Dorney Lake, is to host the three-day world cup rowing regatta next May.

Under the plan, the school will be closed and reopen in 2006-07 as a centre of sporting excellence.In line to sponsor it is Sir Martyn Arbib, a financier who was knighted last year for his services to charity and was founder of the Perpetual fund management company.

HOW THEY COMPARE

ETON

Age range: 12-18

No of pupils: 1,290

Former alumni: 19 prime ministers

Fees: £6,987 per term plus £1,000 entrance fee

Pupils achieving five or more A* to C grades at GCSE: 97%*

Pupils with special needs: 4

Fixed term exclusions this year: not available

LANGLEYWOOD

Age range: 11-16

No of pupils: 784

Former alumni: None noted

Fees: None

Pupils achieving five or more A* to C grades at GCSE: 32%**

Pupils with special educational needs: Half the entire roll

Fixed term exclusions this year: 98

Source: *BBC **Ofsted