Information for parents and guardians - Prospectus 2012/13

Accrington and Rossendale College, in partnership with Rhyddings Business and Enterprise School, are undertaking an exciting new venture to launch a new Studio School in Hyndburn. It will be the first of its kind in the area, and is due to open in September 2012.

The school will offer your child the chance to be a part of a new, select community where everyone has a common goal of getting started on a vocational pathway whilst still at school so that they can leave education with a range of work experience opportunities and related skills behind them.

Contents Page

4. Studio School Head’s Introduction

5. Quotes from our partners

6. Choosing the best school for your child

7. Key facts about the school

8. Our career-focused curriculum

9. Why could this be better for your child?

11. Support quotes from employers

12. Modes of attendance

13. The CREATE framework - Personal Skills Development

15. How to apply

17. Where are we? Contact details

Principal’s welcome

In September 2012 we are opening a brand new school in the centre of Accrington. The new Hyndburn Studio School will cater for 14-19 year olds. Our new school is sponsored by Accrington and Rossendale College and Rhyddings Business and Enterprise School who between them have vast experience of secondary, Further and Higher Education. The College has a track record of excellence having held the highest OFSTED grade (Outstanding) since 2009. In addition, the College has been consistently rated in the top 10% of Colleges in England. In the recent Ofsted inspection of the school, Rhyddings Business & Enterprise school was found to be outstanding in its care, guidance and support for its students.

We believe that Hyndburn would benefit from a different type of school which can meet the needs of students of all abilities through a new and innovative approach to teaching and learning. We are confident that with the support of our sponsors we will create a school where everyone can succeed.

The new Hyndburn Studio School will operate very differently from a traditional secondary school. We will place an emphasis on small class sizes - typically 15-18 students and all students will be supported through intensive mentoring and coaching. In addition to the national curriculum, pupils will work in local businesses from 14 years of age, gaining work experience and valuable skills to help them complete vocational qualifications. Our 16 year olds will study vocational qualifications with two days each week spent in paid employment.

As well as the excellent environment at the Hyndburn Studio School, your child will have the opportunity to use the industry standard facilities at our sponsor College’s main campus as part of their vocational training. They willl also have the opportunity to use the new FIFA quality football pitch and fitness suite.

The school will work with over 50 local employers. These companies want young people who have been successful at school and are ready for work. These companies have already pledged to provide work experience and paid placements to Hyndburn Studio School students. Our employers include:-

• Puma UK• Peel Energy• Groundwork Trust• The Northcote Group• Lavender Hotels• East Lancashire Health Trust • Hyndburn Borough Council• Pennine Groundwork• SureStart• Hyndburn Leisure Trust• Transdev Group • The Futures Learning Trust • Accrington Stanley Football Club• Cleverboxes• Oswaldtwistle Mills• Stonehouse Logic• Rossendales• Hyndburn Homes

Each year, the school will offer approximately 50 places to year 10 students and 50 places to year 12 students. We do not select on ability but would expect students applying to have the appropriate attitude required to succeed in this new type of school environment.

We know that choosing a new school for your child is a big decision and we want to give you as much information as possible to help you make your decision. We have a number of open events planned and would love to talk to you about our new innovative school. I would encourage you to review this prospectus and the information on our website www.hyndburnstudioschool.co.uk and take the opportunity to attend one of the information events detailed on page 17.

Hilary McGonagleHead of Hyndburn Studio School

“The Hyndburn Studio School is a a very different school where everyone can succeed”

“The Hyndburn Studio School will provide a unique and exciting solution for a percentage of students in the area who may not otherwise achieve their potential.”

Paul Trickett, Headteacher, Rhyddings Business and Enterprise School

“We are pleased to support the Hyndburn Studio School and feel that this will be the first step to changing the employment issues that Hyndburn hasfaced for many years.”

Mike Damms, Chair of Pennine Lancashire Employment and Skills Board and Chief Executive of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce

“Whilst schools and the local college have worked hard to provide an inclusive curriculum to those from diverse cultural backgrounds, there remains a minority for whom the system is simply not able to provide at present. We believe that the provision of a Studio School as proposed would fill this void by providing vocational education in a non-mainstream school environment. The flexibility of curriculum will appeal to an important group. The more adult tone will help to engage them.

“We support this proposal to enhance education locally, widen choice and provide a more inclusive service to our young people.”

A. D. Coates; Headteacher, St. Christopher’s C of E High School

Quotes...

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Choosing the best school for your child...As parents you are the key decision makers in the choice of school for your child and gaining the support of parents is key to the success of the Hyndburn Studio School. We know that you only want to give your child the best possible start in life and we understand that for many children that could be the Hyndburn Studio School. Taking your child from a mainstream school at 14 years old and choosing to place them in the Hyndburn Studio School is a big step for any parent and one that will need a lot of information and support. So please take the opportunity to read this prospectus thoroughly and feel free to contact us at any time should you want to know more.

Firstly, the Hyndburn Studio School isn’t right for every child. If your child is excelling in their current school then we truly believe that they are most probably in the right place.

If your child fits into one of the following categories, then please do consider the Hyndburn Studio School as a way of giving your child the best start in life possible.

• Is your child a hands-on learner who excels more through learning things for themselves in a real- life environment rather than being taught in a typical classroom situation?

• Is your child good/excellent at certain subjects such as Maths and Science but struggles in other areas such as History and Geography and spends so long trying to do well in their weaker subjects that all of their GCSE grades suffer?

• Does your child have a very strong skill level in a vocational area such as Sport or Hospitality and wants to focus on this at 14 or 16 years old?

If the answer is yes, then the Hyndburn Studio School could be the best choice for your child.

Here’s what parents said about the Hyndburn Studio School (September 2011)

• Parents agreed that the Hyndburn Studio School would enhance choice in education in Hyndburn.

• Parents agreed that the Hyndburn Studio School could help to raise aspirations for many.

• 80% of parents polled would consider the Hyndburn Studio School for their children.

Quotes from parents:

“I have two children. One sailed through GCSEs, A-Levels and University. The other struggled through qualifications as the mainstream school environment wasn’t for her. She was doing subjects that she didn’t like and therefore the model didn’t work for her. She could have achieved more at a Studio School.”

“The problem with choosing your GCSE options at 14 is you can’t always choose what you want to do in a mainstream school. They can’t meet the needs of every student as subject choices tend to be old fashioned and not geared towards employment.”

“Small class sizes are a big benefit that I can see. My child would definitely do better with more attention and one-to-one teacher time.”

“I want my child to experience more independence and I would be happy for them to mature by working across different sites and being in a real working environment.”

A Studio School is a new model state school for 14-19 year olds which seeks to address the gap between what young people require to succeed in life and the skills that the current education system provides. It aims to support the transition between school and work and to prepare students to be ‘work-ready’. Hyndburn Studio School will provide excellent standards of academic and vocational education and a high quality, inspirational, personalised learning experience. Students of the School will gain the qualifications, skills and experience needed to progress successfully to university, to higher level apprenticeships or directly into employment. If your child would benefit from bespoke learning based around a vocational subject area, then the Hyndburn Studio School could be an alternative pathway for them as from 2012.

Key facts about the Hyndburn Studio School

At Hyndburn Studio School your child will:

• Achieve key GCSE qualifications in Maths, English, Science, Business and ICT, plus vocational qualifications linked to our local employer base.

• Follow a personalised learning programme based on his/her learning needs and career aspirations.

• Gain substantial experience of real work, which is part of the curriculum from the age of 14.

• Have the potential to earn money for paid work as part of the sixth form curriculum from age 16.

• Develop the important employability skills and enterprising behaviours that employers have felt lacking in school leavers for far too long.

• Learn in small groups, through innovative, enterprise themed projects, based in work places and the local community rather than in the classroom.

• Have a personal coach for one to one support with his/her studies and work placement. The personal coach is responsible for ensuring your child achieves the best they possibly can.

• Work in an adult environment which mirrors the workplace. This includes a 9 to 5 working day, and entitlement to 13 weeks annual leave, with the opportunity to book some leave flexibly to suit family needs.

• Take part in a wide range of enrichment activities, including the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, Student Council and Ambassador programme, Young Rotary and Young Chamber of Commerce, certified volunteering work and a range of sporting and creative activities.

• Have access to state of the art, industrial standard workshops and facilities, including brand new sports facilities.

The Hyndburn Studio School:• Is a good choice of school for a career-focused education

• Provide a learning environment focused on employability and enterprise

• Could improve your child’s chances of success. Evidence proves that practical, innovative approaches to learning can lead to higher grades, improved engagement and better job prospects

• Provides a high quality, inspirational, personalised learning experience

• Offers excellent standards of academic and vocational education

• Involves a wide range of employer partners and community organisations in all aspects of the curriculum and is the only one of its kind in Lancashire

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Marketing Manager Eve

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Inst

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Cru

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Events Organiser Catering Manager

Entering the Studio School at age 14

The Studio School will be a small school of around 300 students. In years 10 & 11 your child will study GCSEs in English, Maths, Science and ICT as a minimum, alongside vocational qualifications linked to the local employer base. Unlike traditional schools, most learning will be done through practical, enterprise-themed projects, in partnership with local businesses. All students will have work placements as part of their learning programme.

Your child will not be asked to choose another five or six GCSE subjects that they may not enjoy or want to take further. Instead, they will be able to choose a vocational pathway that they hope to work in later in life and will be able to concentrate their education around enhancing their skills in this area. If your child wishes to do additional GCSEs then this option will be open to them to enhance their learning, but each child will be treated as an individual.

Every year 10 & 11 student will also undertake regular work experience. This will be carefully planned and facilitated through their personal coach. During their time with each employer, your child will gain valuable skills for work.

The career-related curriculum areas that we offer to all students are:

Sport, Leisure,

Hospitality and Catering

Media and Marketing

Automotive Technologies

Business and

Finance

Journalist Graphic Designer G

ames

Des

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otor Sport Mechanic Garage Owner

Our career-focused curriculum

Entering the Studio School at age 16?If your child joins us at 16 years old, the sixth form provision will enable them to specialise further in their chosen vocational areas, studying for advanced level vocational qualifications in some cases combined with appropriate AS and A level subjects. They will still follow one of the vocational pathways that we offer which are:

• Sport, Leisure, Hospitality and Catering • Automative Technologies • Media and MarketingYear 12 and 13 students will undertake up to two days per week paid employment. During this time with an employer, students will be expected to make a measurable contribution to the business and will further develop their skills for work.

Personalised learning Whilst at the Hyndburn Studio School, your child will have a personal learning plan mapped out for them which is bespoke to suit their learning needs.

Your child will be assigned a personal coach from day one and he or she will work closely with your child, helping them get the most from what they learn both in the classroom and in the workplace. The personal coach will liaise on a daily basis with your child’s teachers so they have not one but two support streams assisting them in their education and truly making them the best that they can be.

Why could this be better for your child?

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Employer support for the Studio SchoolEmployer support is crucial to the success of the School as the whole ethos is built around work-based learning. We have therefore forged links with many of the area’s largest and most prestigious organisations. Here are just a few of the companies that are partners in the Hyndburn Studio School:

These companies have all agreed to support your child in a wide range of ways, ensuring that they acquire skills that they need to gain employment when they leave us. Here are just a number of ways that the companies listed above will support the School:

• Guest speakers in the classroom• Work-based knowledge to inform curriculum• Workshops with students• Educational visits to the employer’s premises• Short term work placements • Two days per week paid activities or a block paid opportunity • Studio Schools Board membership• Sponsorship of equipment, uniforms, activities and special awards• Full time apprenticeships • Post 18 employment opportunities• Scholarships to Higher Education

St Christophers

Here are just a few words of support from a number of our employers.

“First step to changing the employment issues that

Hyndburn has faced for many

years.”

“The concept is a great way of supporting

students to achieve better grades”

“In Pennine Lancashire the general skill set of the population remains below the national average and many young adults are leaving school without the skills needed to succeed in their working life. We remain in a low attainment, low productivity environment with low aspirations whilst much of the world moves forward. This cycle of low achievement results in continued unemployment and a poor economy. I firmly believe that the only way to change this is to offer an alternative to the current education system. We are pleased to support the Hyndburn Studio School and feel that this will be the first step to changing the employment issues that Hyndburn has faced for many years.”

Mike Damms, Chair of Pennine Lancashire Employment and Skills Board and Chief Executive of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce

“We look forward to working with you on the Studio Schools initiative to help provide future employers with young people from the community in which we both operate who are skilled, talented and enthusiastic about the opportunities available to them.”Jonathan England, Development Director, Peel Energy

“As you know the Futures Learning Trust aims to add value in terms of raising standards and attainment across the Trust area and in the light of this I look forward to the opportunity of working with you on the Studio Schools initiative to help secure a positive future for our young people.”Jonathan Sibbley, Chief Executive, Futures Learning Trust

“We believe that the Studio School will help to improve the life chances of many of the young adults in the borough and are thrilled to be a part of this new initiative.”Purves Ali, Commercial Manager, Accrington Stanley

“Hyndburn Leisure is fully behind the Studio School proposal. The concept is a great way of supporting students to achieve better grades and, as a local employer, we welcome the development of key skills within the curriculum that will help to prepare students for employment and ensure that they are work ready.”

Michael Hunt, Chief Executive, Hyndburn Leisure

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The working dayYour child’s working day will also be longer. Rather than following the standard school working day, the Hyndburn Studio School aims to prepare your child for work and therefore they will be with us from 9am until almost 5pm each day. This will include some personal development time for your child to develop hobbies and interests.

Work placementsAll students will have work placement as a key element of their vocational pathway, to help them develop employability skills and experience of the workplace.

Year 10 and 11 students will have, over the academic year, the equivalent of 4 hours per week work experience.

Year 12 and 13 students will have, over the academic year, the equivalent of 2 days per week work experience.

Our career-focused curriculum Our career-focused curriculum offers your child the best chance of success as they will leave us with qualifications and a skill level that enables them to go directly into work or carry on into Higher Education or advanced apprenticeship.

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Modes of attendanceThe Hyndburn Studio School mode of attendance is very different to that of a mainstream school.We aim to prepare your child for work and we do this by mirroring the working week in our educational structure.

HolidaysThe Hyndburn Studio School will have a longer school year and your child will attend for 39 weeks per year. They will be entitled to 13 weeks annual leave per year as they do at present in a mainstream school, but the difference is that they can, in negotiation with their personal coach and School Head, book some of these times to suit you and your family.

Additional qualificationsWe expect most students to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme whilst at the Studio School. In addition your child will have a choice of a wide range of enrichment activities as part of their weekly timetable. These include a diverse range of sporting and creative activities, student council and ambassador programme, Interact (Young Rotary), V Inspire certified volunteering work and Young Chamber of Commerce.

Post 16, your child will also study for additional occupationally specific qualifications, which will add value as part of their individual learning programmes. These may include environmental awareness, sports coaching and leadership and AAT accounting qualifications.

“Your child will be entitled to 13 weeks annual

leave per year”

“Your child will have a choice

of a wide range of enrichment

activities as part of their weekly

timetable”

The CREATE Framework - Personal Skills DevelopmentEvidence shows that there are key skills gaps in the economy within the UK as a whole. Every new survey of unfilled vacancies confirms that employers cannot find key employability skills amongst schools leavers.

For this reason, the Hyndburn Studio School follows the CREATE skills framework which has been designed specifically for use in Studio Schools. It stands for: Communication, Relating to people, Enterprise, Applied skills, Thinking skills and Emotional intelligence. CREATE has been developed to equip young people with the key skills that they need to flourish.

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Duke of Edinburgh Award - Volunteering - Sport

Enrichment

Personal Development

Com

mun

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ion

- Rel

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g to

People - E

nterprise - Applying Knowledge - Thinking - Emotional Intelligence

GCSEs(English, Maths, Science,

Business and ICT)

Vocational Programme

WorkExperience

EnterpriseProjects

Healthy, happy and safeIf your child chooses to study with us we are committed to ensuring that they are healthy, happy and safe. If they feel comfortable in their surroundings and enjoy their education, they are more likely to be successful in their studies.

Information and GuidanceAn OFSTED outstanding Information and Guidance service will also be available to all Studio School students, providing excellent impartial guidance on transition, progression and post 16 options. For year 12 and 13 students, guidance and support for possible Higher Education routes and UCAS applications will be provided. This service will be an integral part of the enrichment element of your child’s personalised programme. As parents, you will be encouraged to participate in the process and employers will contribute through placement and event specific activities.

Your Child’s Personal CoachYour child will also be assigned a Personal Coach when they join us which is key to ensuring that they achieve the best they possibly can at our school. Personal Coaches will meet weekly for an individual one to one session with their assigned students to review progress and to enable them to develop personal learning programmes. In addition Personal Coaches will hold individual planning meetings with learners to ensure work placements best meet the needs of individual learners and employers. This will ensure students achieve all their learning goals and reach their potential. They will assist students in linking together all the aspects of school life to ensure that the time spent at school is optimized in terms of achievement and enjoyment.

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The application process for the Hyndburn Studio School will open on Monday 30 January 2012.

For 14 - 16 year olds the application process will close at 3pm on Friday 30 March 2012.

For 16+ year olds the application process will close at 3pm onFriday 19 June 2012.Applications for places at the Hyndburn Studio School at both year 10 and year 12 should be made directly to the Hyndburn Studio School using the application form available to download from the website (www.hyndburnstudioschool.co.uk) and available within thisprospectus.

The Hyndburn Studio School Trust will consider all applications for places at the Hyndburn Studio School. Where fewer than the published admission number(s) for the relevant year groups are received, the Hyndburn Studio School Trust will offer places at the Hyndburn Studio School to all those who have applied.

The oversubscription criteria will use random allocation of places as a tie-break for children within the catchment area and use the priority allocation methods for children residing outside these areas. Random allocation means that the Hyndburn Studio School will not select children on the basis of their ability.

Lancashire Local Authority uses map-info software to calculate home to school distances in miles. The home address is considered to be the child’s along with their parent’s main and genuine principal place of residence at the time of the allocation of places i.e. where they are normally and regularly living. If a child is resident with friends or relatives (for reasons other than legal guardianship) the friends or relatives address will not be considered for allocation purposes.

Where parents have shared responsibility for a child, and the child lives with both parents for part of the school week, parents will be required to provide documentary evidence to support the address they wish to be considered for allocation purposes.

If there are a limited number of spaces available and we cannot distinguish between applicants using the criteria listed, such as in the case of children who live in the same block of flats or are the result of a multiple birth, then the child or children who will be offered the available spaces will be randomly selected by drawing lots.

How to apply

Procedures when the Hyndburn Studio School is oversubscribedWhere the number of applications for admission is greater than the published admission number, applications will be considered against the criteria set out below. The criteria will be applied in the order in which they are set out below:

(a) Children in Public Care.

(b) Pupils with statements of Special Educational Needs where the Hyndburn Studio School is named on the statement.

(c) Children residing within designated catchment area.

(d) Children residing outside the designated catchment area with priority being given to those living nearest to the School as measured in a straight line from the applicant’s home address to the front gates of the Hyndburn Studio School using the Local Authority’s geographical information system.

Applications from sets of twins or other children from multiple births will be treated as individual applicants, this may result in one child being allocated a place under random allocation and another not.

If we are unable to distinguish between applicants on the basis of distance because they are children who are as a result of multiple birth or live in the same block of flats, then the child or children who will be offered the available place(s) will be randomly selected. Unsuccessful applicants will have a right of appeal to an independent admission appeals panel.

Late applicationsApplications received after the closing date of the admissions window will only be considered alongside those applicants who have applied on time if places have not been allocated and there are exceptional reasons for the late application i.e. a major change of circumstance. A late application will not affect the right of appeal or the right to be placed on the oversubscription list.

Following the admissions window any subsequent applicants will be allocated a place on a first come first served basis if the School has less than the number of students specified. The Hyndburn Studio School will ensure that someone independent of the school supervises the random allocation processes.

For a full copy of our admissions policy, please visit www.hyndburnstudioschool.co.uk/about.html and click on the ‘admissions policy’ link on the right hand side of the page.

OORE

Hyndburn Studio SchoolThe Waterside CentreSt James’ Court WestAccringtonLancashireBB5 1NA

Parents & Students

e_aarmiger@accross.ac.ukt_07738 341838

Or via our website:w_www.hyndburnstudioschool.co.uk

Where are we?

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Information EventsThursday 16th February, 10:00am-6:00pm (Public consultation event)

Monday 27th February, 9:00am-5:00pm (Applicants information event)Tuesday 28th February, 1:00pm-7:30pm (Applicants information event)

For the two applicants information events, please contact Andy Armiger on 07738341838 to book a fifteen minute appointment.

For further information on events, please visit our website.

Hyndburn Studio School, The Waterside Centre, St James’ Court West,Accrington, Lancashire, BB5 1NA