Devon Health Studio Given Go Ahead
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- Created on Wednesday, 18 July 2012 10:30
SOUTH DEVON COLLEGE, South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Torbay & Southern Devon Health and Care NHS Trust have been informed that the College’s bid to establish a studio school in training for healthcare and wider care professions has been given the green light.
Studio Schools have been developed by the Studio Schools Trust - a joint venture between Edge and the Young Foundation – in partnership with the Department for Education. They are a new type of state school for 14-19 year olds of all abilities, with a focus on personalisation, practical hands on learning and real work.
The decision means that an exciting new school development will be opening on the Torbay Hospital site in September 2013. The Devon Health Studio will be a purpose built 300 place school for 14-18 year olds providing a dedicated and fast track route into careers in health, early years and social care.
The new venture is one of just 15 studio schools approved by the Government to open across the country in 2013/14, and the only one in the South West. It is another development in the range of new academies, free schools and other educational opportunities promoted by the Government, being linked to future employment prospects. The school will also have a core GCSE focus, combining academic subjects (English, Mathematics, Science) with much greater practical project based work, work placement and hands on support.
“This is brilliant news for the largest employment sector in Torbay and young students seeking careers in the sector,” said South Devon College Principal Stephen Criddle, “The decision shows the strength of the vision and the confidence of the Department for Education in the high standards and proven track record of South Devon College and its partners to deliver a ground breaking high quality new development for Torbay & South Devon.”
Adrienne Murphy, Joint Director of HR at South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Torbay and Southern Devon Health and Care NHS Trust said: “It is fantastic to hear the Devon Health Studio has been given the go ahead. This will give young people across South Devon the chance to gain firsthand experience in health and social care careers.
“The Devon Health studio partnership will further develop the strong links that we already have with the College and enable Torbay Hospital and the health and social care community to continue to build up a strong and highly skilled workforce fit for the future.”
David Nicoll, Chief Executive of the Studio School Trust, commented:
''We are delighted that the Devon Health Studio School has been approved by the Department of Education, and we very much look forward to working with them in the future. This new school is a ground breaking way in which to deliver education, combining mainstream qualifications with real experience of the world of work. The Studio School will play an important role in shaping the future workforce across the region, and providing new opportunities for young people as well as improving their employment prospects and life chances.''
Chair of Governors at South Devon College, Kevin Mowat said, “Governors are very pleased that the vision and dedication of staff working in partnership will enable this exciting new venture to be established for the local community helping provide the best training and job prospects for the future.”
Essential elements of a Studio School:
- Employability and enterprise skills - students develop key employability and life skills through the CREATE skills framework
- Key qualifications – all students work towards qualifications at Levels 2 and 3 which have currency in the working world
- Personalised curriculum - students meet frequently with their 'personal coach' to tailor the curriculum to their individual needs and aspirations
- Practical learning - students' learning is delivered principally through multi-disciplinary enterprise themed projects in the school, local businesses and the community
- Real work - students spend a significant portion of their weekly time in work, with students aged over 16 earning a wage
- Small schools - students learn in a small, supportive and personalised learning environment of around 300 students
South Devon College already has extensive health and social care links, working with the NHS for their Foundation Degree in Healthcare Practice and with local employers for their Health and Social Care apprenticeships. For more information call free on 08000 380 123.
