Working partnership school to be launched

A studio school, built on a working partnerships between schools and a range of employers, will be created at the Netherhall Learning Campus site at Rawthorpe – one of the first two studio schools in the country.

It offers a different approach to learning from the age of 14 onwards and a chance to work directly with business partners.

Coun Ken Smith, Kirklees Council's joint Cabinet member for children and families, said "Following a lot of hard work on the development of the concept over the last two years, I'm delighted that Cabinet has given approval to proceed with the development of the studio school.

"It provides an excellent opportunity to develop new approaches, connecting business with education.

"The new school attracts 4m of government funding, which will be used to create a bespoke space at Netherhall Learning Campus.

"The studio school site will be split into a half-learning and half business environment.

"In the business half we'll look to attract a small number of businesses to run from the school, who would agree to give time to the studio school in terms of tutoring, advice and work experience."

The school will begin as an extended pilot in September this year and provide places for 300 students of all abilities from September 2011.

All students will spend a significant portion of their time participating in meaningful work experience, developing knowledge of how business operates and gaining direct experience of the local labour market.

The school will offer a range of key academic and vocational qualifications with a creative and media diploma at Level 2, with progression to Level 3, at the heart of the curriculum offer. Students aged 14-i6 will continue to study the core curriculum.