Bradford College

Local College Gets Go Ahead for New Studio School

The Department of Education has approved an application made by Appleton Academy Trust to open a new Studio School in Bradford which will specialise in International Food and Travel.

The Appleton Academy Trust, which is part of the Bradford College family, aims to open the new studio school in the City Centre by September 2012.

Studio Schools are a new state school model for 14 to 19 year olds of all abilities and will pioneer a bold new approach to learning involving enterprise projects and real work. All Studio Schools will teach the national curriculum and will offer the same key academic qualifications as traditional schools. The curriculum will deliver a range of qualifications ranging from the traditional GCSE and A levels to vocational qualifications delivered principally through enterprise projects in the studio and with employers.

The proposed International Food and Travel Studio will be working with local and national hotel chains, restaurants, café bars and food logistics companies as well as major travel employers in the city. This strong relationship between education and employment will aim to respond to the current unemployment situation facing young people today. Currently in Bradford there are over 1300 young people aged between 16 and 18 who are not in education, employment or training. The enterprising element of the Studio School also responds to one of the key priorities for Bradford’s Economic Strategy – building entrepreneurship and innovation. The proposed studio is the latest innovation from Bradford College. The College hit the headlines recently when it came to the aid of the national ‘curry crisis’ with the launch of its International Food Academy (IFA). Building on the success of the IFA, the proposed studio school looks set to follow suit.

Principal and Chief Executive of Bradford College Michele Sutton comments, “We are delighted that the application for a new Studio School in Bradford has been approved. The establishment of this school will offer a wider range of opportunities for young people in the region, preparing them for success and assist in gaining employment in their chosen field. As the Studio School in International Food and Travel is a first of its kind in the country, it continues our long tradition of being pioneers in education.”

Bobby Patel from award winning Prashad comments “Prashad supports the college and is getting involved in the Studio to help harness and develop the restaurant's future. Working with the studio will enable us to impart essential knowledge to tomorrow future chefs. Prashad will offer the students a real life opportunity to engage, develop and learn the finer details of how our restaurant operates. The learning opportunity will ensure knowledge transfer in a busy real environment.”

John Hovart, CEO of Cedar Court Hotels Ltd says “The planned development of a studio school in Bradford will be a great addition to the education provision for the City. The fact that the training methods will inline them to industry, will no doubt benefit the youngsters leaving this environment for work life. As an employer of approximately 600 staff in the region, I feel that this type of training and education will develop new employees who can demonstrate to existing staff that they have something to contribute."

David Nicoll, Chief Executive of the Studio School Trust comments, ''We are delighted that the International Food and Travel Studio School has been approved by the Department of Education – one of 12 new Studio Schools to open in 2012 - and we very much look forward to working with them in the future. This new school is a ground breaking way in which to deliver education, combining mainstream qualifications will real experience of the world of work, and the development of key employability skills. The Studio School will play an important role in shaping the future workforce across the region. Six Studio Schools are already open and over fifty are in the pipeline, and we look forward to improving the employment prospects and life chances of young people across the Bradford region.''

The application process to enrol at the Studio School is open now and anyone who wishes to register their interest in attending the Studio School or want to find out more please contact www.mcmillan-education-trust.co.uk and complete the online application or alternatively email info@mcmillan-education-trust.co.uk.