UK’s first ‘earn while you learn’ sixth-form
A SIXTH-form college in Manchester will be the first in the UK to offer students paid work as apprentices while they study.
The new scheme will allow youngsters to ‘earn while they learn’ at the Connell Sixth-Form College in Beswick from September next year.
The move comes after The Co-op Academies Trust took over Connell following its split with Bright Futures Educational Trust earlier in the summer.
Students will be able to work one day a week as a paid apprentice at the Co-op’s National Support Centre in Manchester while studying for a BTEC Level 3 at college.
Jane Hopcroft, Principal of Connell Sixth Form College said: “This is such fantastic news and an amazing opportunity for us to work in partnership with the Co-op.
“I am sure this unique development will be extremely popular with potential students from across Greater Manchester.
“We are a successful college, acknowledged in our 2018 Ofsted report as providing a high quality teaching and learning experience, praising the high standards achieved by our students.”
The Co-op, which runs several schools in Salford and Manchester, will provide funds so that the students receive a grant for their work placement.
The Connell Sixth Form College confirmed plans to leave Bright Futures Educational Trust (BFET) after Government intervention last year. The Co-op Trust was chosen by the Department for Education (DfE) to run Connell when the new term starts in September. All existing Connell staff will be transferred to the Co-op Academies Trust, which runs a total of 12 academies in the Greater Manchester, Leeds and Stokeon-Trent areas Frank Norris, Director of the Co-op Academies Trust said: “By providing a great education, Co-op Academies are changing the lives of thousands of young people and helping transform the communities in which they are situated. “The Trust has demonstrated that co-operative values and principles, strong governance and the ability to leverage the support of the Co-op in areas such as brand, communications, property, insurance and IT, can have a dramatic impact on student outcomes.” Jane Hopcroft, college principal