A NEW £40million sixth form centre which would serve nine schools in south Suffolk has moved a step closer today.Proposals put forward by a partnership of headteachers were submitted to the Suffolk branch of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) for approval earlier this month.
A NEW £40million sixth form centre which would serve nine schools in south Suffolk has moved a step closer today.
Proposals put forward by a partnership of headteachers were submitted to the Suffolk branch of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) for approval earlier this month.
And at a meeting this week, the LSC agreed to back the plans. If given the go-ahead, the college will teach 14 to 19-year-olds more than 40 A level subjects, a range of specialist and vocational diplomas and International Baccalaureate qualifications.
The next stage is to prepare an application to the LSC's 16-19 capital fund.
The partnership of schools behind the proposals includes Chantry High School, Claydon High School, East Bergholt High School, Hadleigh High School, Holbrook High School, Stoke High School, Suffolk College, Thurleston High School, Thomas Wolsey School, Westbourne High School and Westbridge Pupil Referral Unit.
The current school-based sixth forms at Chantry, Westbourne, Claydon and Thurleston would be closed and replaced by the new institution.
Given the working title of South Suffolk Collegiate Sixth Form, it is hoped the new learning centre will raise aspirations of the region's students.
The centre would have a core of dedicated staff but would also draw on teaching expertise from across the partnership schools and Suffolk College to ensure the best possible learning experiences for students.
Tony Preston, LSC chairman said: “This was an excellent example of effective collaboration and the partners were to be congratulated on their vision to create a new centre of excellence for post-16 provision in the area.”
It is hoped the new centre will open in September 2009.
What do you think of the proposals for a new sixth form centre? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
Weblink: www.lsc.gov.uk
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