New sixth form college scheme to widen post-16 study options

The Huddersfield-based local authority has teamed up with Huddersfield New College to explore a new base for post-16 education in the North Kirklees area, which includes Dewsbury, Batley, Cleckheaton and Heckmondwike and surrounding area.

A new site has yet to be chosen and various North Kirklees locations are being looked at.

A spokesman for the council said: "It is widely recognised that there is a need to raise attainment levels at 16 in North Kirklees and also that some young people choose to travel from the north to the south of the district to continue their studies post-16, and so talks have started about the possibility of New College developing a North Kirklees campus."

Huddersfield New College is a well-respected sixth form college, with more than 2,300 full-time students, and has good reputation for the academic progress made by its students.

The most recent inspection from education watchdog Ofsted stated that young people at Huddersfield New College made "outstanding progress".

The council's preferred option is to develop a campus of Huddersfield New College in North Kirklees, and Councillor Cath Harris, joint Cabinet member for children and families, said she was pleased that discussions about this possibility were under way.

The Labour councillor, who represents the Ashbrow ward in Huddersfield, added: "The council has a strong commitment to giving all our young people the best possible opportunities.

"We are keen to improve post-16 learning opportunities in North Kirklees so that it is balanced with the rest of the district. We want more opportunities to be available to young people in the north so that

more choose to stay in education.

"We see the potential of this development to increase participation, aspirations and achievement.

"Improving what's on offer to young people in North Kirklees was one of the reasons we strongly backed the merger of Huddersfield Technical College and Dewsbury College to establish Kirklees College.

"This will ensure high-quality vocational further education in North Kirklees, but we are still seeking to take positive action by creating a fully-inclusive sixth- form centre to complement and broaden the offer at Kirklees College and in the schools in the area."

A council spokesman said that it is hoped that the sixth form centre would be in a new, state-of-the-art building, although the location is yet to be decided and various North Kirklees sites are being considered.

Angela Williams, the principal of Huddersfield New College, said: "Our aim is to enable students to achieve their full potential in a supportive and inclusive environment.

"We are pleased to be working with councillors, officers, employers and other educational providers to develop an inclusive sixth form centre in North Kirklees.

"To foster community cohesion and to help narrow the gap in educational attainment between the young people in North Kirklees and their peers in South Kirklees, it is crucial that the centre serves the whole of North Kirklees and complements and broadens the post-16 provision already on offer.

"The preferred option of a New College campus in North Kirklees is very exciting and a pleasing reflection of our success. In working on this venture, we have developed a strong relationship with the council and local authority officers, which can only benefit all concerned."