DELEGATES from independent schools across the country will be descending on Bolton this weekend for the national Community Partnerships School Conference.

The meeting is being hosted by Bolton School. It will be opened this evening by the headmaster of the boys’ division Philip Britton, pictured.

Paul Oginsky, youth policy advisor to the Prime Minister, will give the keynote speech.

The event is designed to celebrate partnerships between schools and the communities they serve Other speakers include Tim Loughton, the former Children’s Minister, Alex Bustamante, of Future Foundations, Guy Kirkpatrick, founder of the Serenity Foundation, who will talk about starting charities, Jeremy Glover, chief executive at OnSide and former Bolton Lads and Girls Club chief executive, Jane Swayne, founder and director of the Kosovo Youth Education Trust and Phil Mason, chaplain of Bolton Wanderers Football Club, who will talk about their work in the community.Delegates will also visit Bolton Lads and Girls Club.