Student 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 you 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 you can leave education with a range of work experience opportunities and related skills behind you.

Contents Page4. Studio School Head’s Introduction

5. What is the Studio School?

6. What makes the Hyndburn Studio School different?

7. Meeting your needs

8. When can I join? How will I study? Will I get paid?

9. What companies will I be working with?

11. Are the hours the same as a mainstream school? When I leave the Hyndburn Studio School can I go to University? Why is it better for me?

12. Why could this school be right for you?

13. Healthy, happy and safe

14. How to apply

15. Where are we? Contact details

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

Head of School, 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, you will work in local businesses from 14 years of age, gaining work experience and valuable skills to help you 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, you will have the opportunity to use the industry standard facilities at our sponsor College’s main campus as part of your vocational training. You 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. These 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 you 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 for you 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 websitewww.hyndburnstudioschool.co.uk and take the opportunity to attend one of the planned information events with your parent or guardian (details on page 15).

Hilary McGonagleHead of Hyndburn Studio School

What is the Hyndburn Studio School?The Hyndburn Studio School is a small school, which will offer you excellent standards of academic and vocational education, combined with real work, which will in turn give you the best possible route into employment or higher education. It will be the first of its kind in the area, and is due to open in September 2012.

The school will offer you 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. As a graduate of the Studio School, you will leave education with a wide range of work experience opportunities and skills behind you, as well as a range of qualifications relevant to your chosen career path.

So this is the big question…

Will the Hyndburn Studio School beright for you?Ask yourself, what do you want out of life? To have a good career? To learn skills that you can use throughout your life? To have a job that you enjoy and are proud of?

Do you feel that you would learn a lot more with smaller class sizes, through practical tasks and activities and through experience in the workplace? If so, the Hyndburn Studio School could be right for you.

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What makes the Hyndburn Studio School different to a mainstream school?

Well first of all, the environment is very different to being in a mainstream school. You will be treated as an adult and this will be reflected in everything that you do whilst you are at the school. The Studio School operates more like a work place than a school, with an expectation of high professional standards in everything you do and a working day of9am-5pm. You will not wear a traditional school uniform. Instead you will wear a business suit and tie. Your tutors will similarly be in business dress to reflect the ethos of the school.

The Hyndburn Studio School is likely to be much smaller than the school that you currently attend. You will have your own personalised learning programme, which will be tailored to meet your needs, interests and career aspirations. You will have a personal coach, who will work with you to ensure you achieve the best you possibly can in all areas of your study, work placement and enrichment activities. You will work in small groups, led by learning coaches who are experts in teaching their particular subjects.

At the Hyndburn Studio School, you will have the opportunity to study a range of subjects, which will prepare you well for your chosen career path.

All students will study for vocational qualifications in one of the following three career pathways all with Business and Finance at the heart:

• Automotive Technologies• Sport, Leisure, Hospitality and Catering• Media and Marketing

In addition, in years 10 & 11 you will study GCSEs in English, Maths, Science, Business and ICT.

In years 12 & 13 you will choose a vocational pathway at an advanced level and may be given the opportunity to study AS and A level qualifications if appropriate.

The pathways on offer

The pathways on offer are linked to the main industries and job opportunities in our local area, and also to a range of university degree programmes, should you wish to study at a higher level before taking up employment.

One big difference that you will notice when you join the school is the way in which you learn. Alongside your GCSE subjects, much of your learning will be done through six core projects. The projects will involve practical and applied learning, linked to your local community and local employers, rather than theoretical, classroom-based work.

They will develop your skills in the main areas identified by employers as most likely to enable people to succeed at work. We call these CREATE:

• Communication• Relating to others• Enterprise and creative behaviour• Applying knowledge• Thinking• Emotional intelligence

But the biggest difference from your current school is that you will spend some of your time in the workplace. If you join the Hyndburn Studio School you will be assigned one or more companies that you will work with during your education. This could be on block release or a number of days a week throughout your time with us. You will leave us with up to four years work experience gained at some of the best organisations in the area, which will make you stand head and shoulders above the competition when the time comes for you to enter employment.

So if you are looking for an education that will help you get your dream job or progress to University, the Hyndburn Studio School could be the ideal choice for you.

GCSEs(English, Maths, Science,

Business and ICT)

Vocational Programme

WorkExperience

EnterpriseProjects

Sport, Leisure,

Hospitality and Catering

Media and Marketing

Automotive Technologies

Business and

Finance

Meeting your needsWhat do you want from a school and how can we provide it..

We understand that your school years are some of the most important of your life. They can shape the job that you go into, the friends you make for life and the way that you like to learn. We also know that in addition to getting an education, school is the time when you grow from a child to an adult, shape your personality and begin to gain independence in your own right.

Because Hyndburn Studio School is a completely new model of school we have been able to listen to feedback from parents, employers and potential students and model the school on many of your recommendations. We consider your personal development to be an important part of your education and aim to help you progress as an individual as well as a student and potential employee.

The Studio School’s ambition is for all our students, having worked hard on their own development and attainment, to graduate with the skills, confidence, experience and qualifications that will ensure you thrive and succeed in the adult world.

On the following pages we have answered some of the questions that you may be asking if you are considering becoming a student at Hyndburn Studio School. If any of your queries still aren’t answered feel free to email us via our website which can be found at: www.hyndburnstudioschool.co.uk

We hope you enjoy learning more about us andwe look forward to hearing from you soon.

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When can I join the Studio School?You can enter the Studio School either at 14 years old (school year 10) or 16 years old (school year 12). If you join the school at aged 14 you will have the opportunity at age 16 to continue at the school or go elsewhere if this is the right option for you.

How will I study?This is the hardest question to answer as every single student will have a personalised learning programme created specifically to meet their needs. Your programme is likely to involve most of the following:

• Core projects, linked to your chosen career pathway• Vocational workshops in your chosen subjects• Subject specific GCSE classes to prepare you for exams• One to one and small group coaching sessions

You will also spend time in the workplace working with a range of companies, gaining the skills you need for employment. This will be equivalent to four hours per week aged 14-16 and two days per week aged 16-18.

Will I get paid during work experience?This depends on your age. In years 10 and 11 you will not be paid for your work placement because you will still be learning the basic skills required to succeed in the workplace. Learning the ropes in employment takes time for anyone and these two years will teach you the social and work skills that you will need to succeed. Once you enter year 12 you may start getting paid for the time that you spend placed in companies.

Our partners are:

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What companies will I be working with?

St Christophers

Are the hours the sameas at a mainstream school/will I spend the same amount of time in the Studio School as ina mainstream school?No, if you join the Hyndburn Studio School we are preparing you for work and therefore your days will be longer than they are currently. The working day will usually be from 9am to 5pm, including enrichment activities and supported homework time.

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

When I leave the Hyndburn Studio School can I go to University?Yes! All the qualifications offered in the Studio School have progression routes into university degree programmes.The Hyndburn Studio School is set up specifically to give you the skills you need to succeed, whether that is in work or in higher education. The qualifications that you will gain with us will offer you the chance of employment or the opportunity to continue your studies further. Every option that’s open to you in a mainstream school is open to you by studying with us.

What is the School’s career-focused curriculum?If you choose to join us at 14 you will complete the core national curriculum subjects of English, Maths, Science, Business and ICT to GCSE level. We believe that it’s important that every person has these qualifications to succeed in their working life.

You will not be asked to choose additional GCSE subjects that you may not enjoy or want to take further. Instead, you will choose vocational industry-based qualifications in subjects that you enjoy and hope to work in. This ensures that you will be able to concentrate your education around enhancing your skills in this area.

If you join us at 16 years old, you will specialise in your chosen vocational area, studying for advanced level vocational qualifications, (combined with appropriate AS and A level subjects in some cases).

The career-related curriculum that we offer includes the following three career pathways all with Business and Finance at the heart:

• Automotive Technologies• Sport, Leisure, Hospitality and Catering• Media and Marketing

Why is this better for me?From experience and research, it has been highlighted that if you are a more hands-on learner and excel more through learning things for yourself, in a real-life environment rather than being told about things, you are likely to reach your full potential in the Studio School. Similarly you may be good at certain subjects such as Maths, English and Science but struggle in other areas such as History and Geography and spend so long trying to do well in your weaker subjects that all of your GCSE grades suffer. If that sounds like you then the Hyndburn Studio School may be ideal for you.

Or you may just have a very strong skill level in a subject area such as Sport or Hospitality and want to focus on this, rather than waiting until you start work to really have a chance to hone your skills.

At the Hyndburn Studio School you can really concentrate your efforts on something you enjoy and excel at. Learning this way has been found to not only to raise the level ofvocational skills you acquire but could also raise your GCSE grades too.

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Personalised learning Whilst at the Hyndburn Studio School, you will have a personal learning plan mappedout for you which is bespoke to suit your learning needs.

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

Why could this school be right for you?

Duke of Edinburgh Award - Volunteering - Sport

Enrichment

Personal Development

Com

mun

icat

ion

- Rel

atin

g to

People - E

nterprise - Applying Knowledge - Thinking - Emotional Intelligence

GCSEs(English, Maths, Science,

Business and ICT)

Vocational Programme

WorkExperience

EnterpriseProjects

Healthy, happyand safeIf you choose to study with us we are committed to ensuring that you are healthy, happy and safe. Because of this we’ve created an environment where you can feel safe and valued. One of the reasons this is so successful is that throughout the year we listen to you and actively encourage you to get involved, make suggestions and help improve your learning environment.

Enrichment opportunities will provide you with the skills and experiences to enhance your personal development, to ensure that you are able to realise your full potential and achieve positive progression into further study or into employment.

All our students will be encouraged to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. Through this scheme students will acquire personal and developmental skills in a wide range of areas, such as working in the community, volunteering, physical activities and team building.

Here’s a selection of some of the other activities that you may get a chance to take part in whilst you are with us:

• Five-a-side football• Duke of Edinburgh award• Fundraising• Cinema and ten pin bowling• Skiing• Cycling• Yoga• Swimming• Walking• Drama performances• Talent competitions• Health promotion events• Ice skating• Volunteering activities • Conferences• Industry visits• Guest speakers• National competitions

We understand the importance of providing a healthy environment and access to activities and services which help you to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle. We will provide a range of opportunities for you to adopt positive health choices and play a part in planning and developing the School’s activities and services. 13

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 this prospectus.

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 thebasis 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 atthe time of the allocation of places i.e. where they are normally and regularly living. If a child is resident withfriends or relatives (for reasons other than legal guardianship) the friends or relatives address will notbe 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 criterialisted, 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 spaceswill be randomly selected by drawing lots.

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.

How to apply

TESCSUPERST

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