College’s plan for enterprise school refused (From Evesham Journal)

College’s plan for enterprise school refused

12:00pm Thursday 26th July 2012 in News

EVESHAM will not be getting a new school after plans submitted by South Worcestershire College were rejected by Education Secretary Michael Gove.

The Davies Road-based college had been hoping to get the go ahead to open an ‘Enterprise Studio School’ in September next year.

But they were left disappointed to discover they were not included on the list of newly approved studio schools in the UK announced last week by the Department for Education.

Michael O’Brien, principal of South Worcestershire College, said he thought the proposal was unsuccessful due to the rural setting of the college and the varied nature of its model.

He said: “I think they struggled with the rural business model. It seems you have to focus on a single business area to be successful.

“We were looking at a multi-skilled approach with a wide ethos. They didn’t seem to be able to get their heads around that.

“It is a great shame. We are hugely disappointed at the announcement, particularly after such positive and encouraging feedback at the interview stage in May.

“However, we won’t give up. We are strongly committed to providing the young people of Evesham and the surrounding area with the skills and opportunity to build their own successful companies.

“We have been invited to apply again to open in September 2014.

“There is a second possibility that the Department for Education will also allow colleges to recruit students directly at 14.

“Therefore we are determined to continue in the coming year with this proposal to provide entrepreneurial and vocational education for the young people in the Vale of Evesham.”

South Worcestershire College submitted the application for the studio school in March after consultation with parents and other interested parties.

The plans did not receive the backing of headteachers at the high schools in Evesham and Pershore.

Clive Corbett of Pershore High, Caroline Browne of Evesham High and the retiring Bernard Roberts of Prince Henry’s, all opposed the proposals saying that there was no need for it and it would only duplicate what was already on offer to their pupils.