Parents and students are being invited to help shape the exciting proposals for a new Post-16 (6th form / for 17- and 18-year-olds) hub at Stocksbridge High School.
A survey has been launched this week regarding the plans for modern Post-16 education provision and the type of courses students and parents would like to see being offered.
Minerva Trust Learning Trust is working with the Stocksbridge Towns Fund Board on the project which would establish a satellite hub from Chapeltown Academy at Stocksbridge High School, delivering a range of A’ Level or equivalent courses in modern engineering and technology subjects.
The plan to create a Post-16 Hub as part of the current school estate was one of the projects contained within the £24.1 million Stocksbridge Town Deal bid. The bid was approved by the Government in March 2021 to go through to the next stage, which is to develop the business case for the ten selected projects.
At the recent open consultation sessions for the ambitious Towns Fund projects, held across Stocksbridge during October, residents widely supported a return of Post-16 and adult education in Stocksbridge.
Now, current Stocksbridge High School students and families as well as parents and carers of children in local primary schools, are being invited to give their views on the plans to help shape the type of facilities and courses which could be offered.
Towns Fund Board member Dave Cates, who has worked closely on the proposals for the new facility said: “All of our Towns Fund projects are focussed on being ambitious for the long-term prospects of the town and its people. Creating an exciting Post-16 learning environment and qualification opportunities for our young people, in exciting robust growth sectors such as technology and modern engineering that have huge demand for talent, is a significant part of that.
“We want to ensure that the new facility helps delivers the skills that industry and our economy desperately needs and also aligns with the aspirations of pupils. Therefore, we really want to hear from students regarding their thoughts on this proposed project which would provide excellent Post-16 education.”
Bev Matthews, CEO of Minerva Learning Trust, said: We have a great opportunity here, working with Chapeltown Academy to enhance the choices through to 18 for young people within Stocksbridge and the surrounding area. We hope that parents and students will take the opportunity to have their say about these exciting proposals.”
If your children attend Stocksbridge High School, Chapeltown Academy, a local primary school or any other schools in the area you can take part in the survey here : https://sheffield.citizenspace.com/people-adults/post-16-education-north-sheffield. Your views and feedback are essential to the planning of this provision.
Other projects outlined in the Town Deal bid include:
To keep up to date with news about the projects, you can sign up for the newsletter by following the link here Sheffield City Council - Get news, updates and alerts about the Stocksbridge Town Deal direct to your inbox. (govdelivery.com) Or follow Stocksbridge Town Deal on Facebook and @TownDeal4Stocks on Twitter.
For more information contact Amanda Holmes on Amanda.holmes@sheffield.gov.co.uk or 07747 621902.
ABOUT THE TOWNS FUND
On 27 July 2019, the Prime Minister announced that the Towns Fund would support an initial 101 places across England to develop Town Deal proposals, to drive economic regeneration and deliver long-term economic and productivity growth. See further details of the announcement. PM speech at Manchester Science and Industry Museum - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
A Town Deal is an agreement in principle between government, the Lead Council, and the Town Deal Board. It sets out a vision and strategy for the town, and what each party agrees to do to achieve this vision. See the 101 places being supported to develop Town Deals. list-of-100-places.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Each of the 101 towns selected to work towards a Town Deal also received accelerated funding last year for investment in capital projects that would have an immediate impact and help places “build back better” in the wake of Covid-19. View a list of accelerated funding by place towns-fund-accelerated-funding-grants.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)
The Stocksbridge Towns Fund board is looking for new members to bring their skills and local knowledge to the group.
The board is made up of representatives from local businesses as well as charitable and voluntary organisations and groups – Stocksbridge Town Council and Sheffield City Council are also represented.
Now the board is recruiting for up to two new members to help guide the ambitious £24.1 million bid through the next stage and the completion of the business cases for the ten Stocksbridge Town Deal projects.
A change in the makeup of the current board has created the opportunity to expand the breadth and experience of the group.
New members should meet the criteria for the role which includes having a strong local connection to Stocksbridge as well as an understanding and interest in the aspirations of the Town Deal, and the passion for seeing regeneration and investment in the area.
The board is also keen to hear from currently underrepresented groups. To find out more about the criteria for joining the Towns Fund board please visit the website at Microsoft Word - TF - new members.docx (welcometostocksbridge.co.uk)
Co-chair of the Towns Fund board Miriam Cates MP said: “We know from the recent consultation sessions we held through October that there is a great deal of interest and enthusiasm in the town for the Towns Fund and the projects being delivered.
“We’re incredibly fortunate to have a really capable group of people on the Towns Fund board who give up their time voluntarily. As we’re now in the phase of delivering the business case to Government for our projects we would love to expand the board with new input and ideas.”
The Towns Fund projects are aimed at transforming the fortunes of Stocksbridge and helping to build a sustainable future for residents and businesses as well as building on the town’s location at the gateway to the countryside.
The bid was submitted in January this year and its approval was confirmed by the Government during the budget – delivering a comprehensive package of projects investing in the local area - to create jobs and new opportunities.
Projects outlined in the bid include:
To keep up to date with news about the projects, you can sign up for the newsletter by following the link here Sheffield City Council - Get news, updates and alerts about the Stocksbridge Town Deal direct to your inbox. (govdelivery.com) Or follow Stocksbridge Town Deal on Facebook and @TownDeal4Stocks on Twitter.
For more information contact Amanda Holmes on Amanda.holmes@sheffield.gov.co.uk or 07747 621902.
ABOUT THE TOWNS FUND
On 27 July 2019, the Prime Minister announced that the Towns Fund would support an initial 101 places across England to develop Town Deal proposals, to drive economic regeneration and deliver long-term economic and productivity growth. See further details of the announcement. PM speech at Manchester Science and Industry Museum - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
A Town Deal is an agreement in principle between government, the Lead Council, and the Town Deal Board. It sets out a vision and strategy for the town, and what each party agrees to do to achieve this vision. See the 101 places being supported to develop Town Deals. list-of-100-places.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Each of the 101 towns selected to work towards a Town Deal also received accelerated funding last year for investment in capital projects that would have an immediate impact and help places “build back better” in the wake of Covid-19. View a list of accelerated funding by place towns-fund-accelerated-funding-grants.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)