Studio Schools are a new type of state school model that has been developed in partnership with local and national employers, leading education agencies and government. They have been designed to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and experiences they need to succeed in life and work.
Studio Schools are an important new option for young people of all abilities. They are a new approach to learning involving enterprise projects and paid work experience. The offer a real alternative to traditional learning and they are a making a real difference to the lives of young people up and down the country.
Walsall Studio School – “Preparing young People for life”
Walsall Studio School will be one of the first in the region to offer 14-19 year olds a new and unique approach to learning that will include the following elements:
• Academic excellence
• Employability and enterprise skills
• Personalised curriculum
• Practical hands on learning
• “Real world” work experience
• A small school
• Students of all abilities
Studio Schools are designed for young people olds of all abilities. They are small schools of around 300 students; and with year-round opening and a 9-5 working day, they feel more like a workplace than a school.
Walsall Studio School will be fully compliant with the Schools Admissions Code. It will be a 14-19 options choice, aimed at students who are better suited to a more ‘hands on’ approach to learning.
Exciting Curriculum – What makes the Walsall Studio School different?
“Beyond traditional learning, the Walsall Studio School aims to offer outstanding education, where every 14-19 year old, can reach their full potential.”
The Studio School will teach the national curriculum and offer the same core academic qualifications as traditional schools and students will work towards GCSEs in English, Mathematics, dual award Science and ICT in addition to BTEC and vocational options.
However, there will be a number of distinctive features that will set Walsall Studio School apart from other provisions. These include:
• A family atmosphere based upon care, comfort and equality
• A flexible curriculum that mixes education and social enterprise with the CREATE Skills framework
• Significant input from local and national employers
• Core and optional subjects that reflect the needs of business and enterprise.
• A modern, pleasant and practical work environment
The most unique and distinctive element will be paid work experience opportunities, made possible through the Vine Social Enterprise. This will give young people valuable employability skills and real experience of the working environment as well as small amount of income.
The CREATE skills framework (Communication, Relating to people, Enterprise, Applied skills, Thinking and Emotional intelligence) has been developed by the Studio Schools Trust in response to the concern about key skills gaps within British Industry.
Location, Location, Location
The site for the proposed Walsall Studio School is still under consideration but once agreed we guarantee it will be an inspirational, vibrant place to study. We will be based in the St Mathews Quarter which is a major town centre regeneration scheme in Walsall.
The Studio School will be a smaller learning community of just 300 students. Tutor groups will consist of no more than 15 students supported by several staff. The organisation of learning and teaching will respond to student needs and there will be additional small group and individual tuition. Encouragement, help and advice will be accessible to all with assumption that everyone will make progress and succeed.
Have Your Say
Over the next few weeks we want to gather the views, opinions and insights of those people affected by this exciting project. Your views are essential to make sure that we are listening and responding to the people the Walsall Studio School will be serving.
Please take a few moments to fill in the questionnaire.
