Sixth form vision to ‘transform’ education

MAJOR PLANS to relaunch a sixth form at the site of a Leeds secondary will “transform” post16 education for young people in the city, headteachers have said.

Boston Spa Academy, which earlier this year faced potential merger with nearby Wetherby High, confirmed last month it is instead to join The GORSE Academies Trust (TGAT) after its bid was approved by School’s Minister Lord Agnew.

The announcement was widely welcomed by campaigning parents, governors and politicians and now, in a move to further strengthen its position, it reveals major investment plans. From September 2019, it is to launch a northern site for the Elliott Hudson College, which already has a base in the south of the city and is rated Outstanding in all areas.

Such a move, said principal Christopher Walsh, could see the Boston Spa site treble its intake from 200 up to 600 in the next few years.

“It’s a game-changer for post-16 education in the north of the city,” he said. “It will allow a whole new range of students access to the type of provision that is already available at Elliott Hudson. This is about bringing an opportunity, available to children in the south of the city, to the north as well.”

Bringing the Elliott Hudson College to Boston Spa Academy, the trust says, will form a “formidable” partnership.

The first phase of the plan would see a £350,000 investment from TGAT to upgrade existing facilities in autumn, with more next year. Sir John Townsley, chief executive of TGAT, said this was a significant opportunity for young people: “It is incredibly exciting that two highly successful organisations, sharing many of the same core values, come together to break new ground.”

Stephen Hall, chair of Governors, added: “Governors are thrilled that the commitment shown to Boston Spa by our community has been so swiftly rewarded.”