The Young Foundation will work to develop proposals with local partners in Blackpool, Kirklees, Lambeth, Luton, Newham, Oldham and South Tyneside with a view to final approval being given by the Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF) in the summer for the first wave of projects.
Studio Schools are designed to engage with students who are not realising their full potential in traditional school environments. Studio Schools will not replace existing secondary schools but will complement them by providing an alternative entrepreneurial option. In partnership with local businesses they will offer students aged 14-19 a range of qualifications through an enterprise-based curriculum. This approach aims to improve student’s skills and employability by emphasising practical work and enterprise. Studio School students will benefit from opportunities to work in and run real businesses and social enterprises.
The schools will be small in size providing learning for around 300 students. This will allow every student to have their own personal coach and will enable mixed aged teams.
The Minister for the East of England highlighted work of the Luton Studio School as an example of great public services.
Under the Studio School field trial at Barnfield College in Luton 28 students from outlying academies will attend the pilot school for two days a week, studying business start-up and a vocational programme.
Barnfield College was selected for the trial because of its nationally acknowledged training status and is ranked in the top 10 per cent of best performing Further Education colleges and was Britain’s first Beacon-status college.
Pete Birkett, principle of Barnfield College said: “The one size fits all model of academic curriculum is clearly unsuitable for many local students. We are also targeting academy students who are talented in business and enterprise and those who show entrepreneurial aptitude.
“Each student will develop a personal curriculum plan supported by their own tutor and business mentor. Rather than traditional hour-long periods, we will use flexible blocks of time for the business projects. Traditional learning will be weaved through these blocks.
To download a copy of Working Together – Public Services on your side visit www.hmg.gov.uk/workingtogether.aspx
The Young Foundation is a consultancy that researches and develops solutions for areas of social need and is leading on the developments of Studio Schools.
For further information about the organisation visit www.youngfoundation.org.uk