Helping small rural schools to take part in formal collaborations could improve their service and viability, a new study has found. The study of 12 schools in three authorities discovered they were already involved in many informal collaborations. But although there were benefits in more formal links - especially in sharing a headteacher, which would alleviate problems in recruitment - there was a lack of information about what was available. The study was carried out by the Eastern Leadership Centre for the Department for Children, Schools and Families. It recommended local authorities and dioceses should help schools collaborate.