Sixth-form college backers says district has ‘clear need’
THE LEADERS at two schools spearheading the development of a Halifax sixth-form college say there is a “clear need” for a specialist centre for post-16 provision in Calderdale.
Calderdale Council unveiled plans to create a college on the former Central Library in Halifax and the neighbouring Northgate House council office site.
The authority has now agreed in principle to work with Rastrick High School and Trinity Academy to turn the plan into a reality.
Principal at Trinity Academy Halifax, James Franklin-Smith said this was an exciting, joint programme led by two schools with excellent reputations.
He said: “We have been pursuing the option of opening a sixthform college in Halifax town centre for a couple of years for two main reasons. The first is the clear need for outstanding specialist post-16 provision in our local area. The second is that it will also allow both schools to free up space within existing buildings, therefore enabling us to offer more secondary school places in our respective communities.”
The building will be extensively refurbished and Steve Evans, head teacher at Rastrick High School, said the central location would provide significantly more post-16 places, with a much broader choice of academic and vocational courses than both schools can currently offer.
Mr Evans added: “This represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the school to shape and positively influence the education of the young people of Rastrick and the wider area for years to come.”
The proposed opening date for the new site is September 2019.
Both schools say they would continue to provide high quality post-16 provision. They guarantee that any students enrolled in 2018, onto a two-year course, will have a seamless transition to the new college.
Yvonne Carr, president of the Calderdale National Education Union, welcomed the investment but expressed concerns.
“There are many advantages to be offered by a larger sixth-form college, such as increased curriculum choices,” she said.
“However, it is difficult to see how the proposals could be implemented without job losses in existing schools and we would also be looking for reassurances that teachers’ pay and conditions would be maintained. Parents may also be concerned that children will have to travel further.”