A Harlesden secondary school is to work together with the best comprehensive in the country.

Newman Catholic College in Harlesden Road, is to join forces with Cardinal Vaughan Memorial Boys’ School in Holland Park, for the next two years.

The headteachers said the partnership will have mutual benefits for both schools which will share good practice and offer reciprocal support in all areas of teaching and school life.

Heavily oversubscribed, The Vaughan, as it is commonly known, converted to academy status in time for the start of term this year.

Voted the best comprehensive school in the UK by the Sunday Times last year for the second year running, it has strict entry criteria that families must be practicing Catholics.

Both schools are part of the Westminster Diocese and enrol girls in their sixth form.

Daniel Coyle, headteacher at Newman Catholic College, said: “I’m delighted that the hard and successful work we have done here at Newman Catholic College will be strengthened further by this exciting relationship with the Vaughan.”

Paul Stubbings, headteacher at Cardinal Vaughan, added: “The Vaughan has always been a successful and high-achieving school. This partnership will formalise our outward-looking approach.”