Member Article

Merseyside college expands to provide work skills for younger teens

Hugh Baird College is expanding, with the launch of full-time courses for 14 to 16-year-olds for the first time in its history.

The Bootle college specialises in further education for people aged 16 and over, with a student population in excess of 8,000. It is now set to deliver new courses from September 2014 enabling younger teenagers to develop work related skills alongside core academic studies.

An open event to officially launch the new department, which will based across the Balliol Road campus, will take place at the college from 5–7pm on Thursday, February 13.

Hugh Baird College Director of Curriculum for Student Services and Young People Alun Owen said the 14 to 16-year-old curriculum will focus on key GCSE subjects such as English, maths, ICT and science. It will further offer three initial pathways for students to gain hands-on, work-related qualifications. The pathways include Hospitality and Catering, Construction, Engineering and Logistics and Public Services.

Mr Owen said these specialist areas have been carefully selected in line with the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership’s growth strategy (see notes to editors). He said it is all part of the college’s overarching mission to equip youngsters with skills in demand on both a regional and national level, leading to life-long careers.

“This is a significant step for Hugh Baird College as we plan to open our doors to a younger age group than ever before,” said Mr Owen. “We are very excited to be building on our strong reputation for delivering further education by expanding our provision and allowing students as young as 14-years-old to enrol full-time at our college.

“Although we already work with local schools to provide some vocational courses to part-time 14-year-old students, this latest initiative will allow us to guide and shape the future career paths of our region’s youngsters from this early age.

“Our 14 to 16-year-old, full-time curriculum will give teenagers the flexibility to study core GCSE subjects alongside hands-on, work related qualifications in sectors they feel passionate about. This will give them a combined academic and vocational background. It also presents an opportunity for students to try something new and develop skills which will give them a head start in the world of work.”

Hugh Baird College principal Yana Williams said the college offers smaller class sizes to be able to deliver greater personal help and attention. In addition, she said the college has a proven track record for teaching and learning excellence, as well as converting student learners into employment, apprenticeships, or further education and training.

“Our latest OFSTED inspection judged the college to be “good” for its overall effectiveness with six judgements of “outstanding” including quality of teaching and learning as well as for care, guidance and support,” she said.

“Our success rates show continuous year-on-year improvement with many above the national benchmarks. It is also important to mention the calibre of our staff, many of whom are experts in their fields and benefit from industry knowledge and awareness of skills employers are looking for.

“Any new starters will be guaranteed first class support through our full range of students’ services covering information, advice and guidance; health and wellbeing and personal tutor support. This is all part of our holistic approach to education. We feel fully qualified and committed to delivering education to this younger cohort of learners and we are now encouraging parents and potential 14 – 16 year old students to get in touch.”

For more information on the open day visit the college website www.hughbaird.ac.uk or email alun.owen@hughbaird.ac.uk or phone 0151 353 4444.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .